Dermal Fillers are injections used to smooth out creases and reduce wrinkles in the face, restoring youthful fullness.
Also known as wrinkles fillers, Dermal Fillers have been called “liquid facelifts” because they don’t have the downtime of a regular surgical facelift.
Smile lines and crow’s feet become more apparent with time because we lose subcutaneous fat in our faces as part of the aging process. Dermal fillers can be a good option for individuals with early signs of aging. They can also be used to plump thin lips and improve the appearance of recessed scars.
Although non-surgical treatments cannot achieve the same results as surgical treatments such as a facelift, they can be a good option that provides immediate results at a lower cost.
Dermal fillers are often used in conjunction with other treatments such as BOTOX. Talk to your doctor who will recommend a treatment that will achieve your desired results.
Types of Dermal Fillers
There are two types of wrinkle fillers: temporary and permanent.
Most soft tissue fillers are temporary because they contain material that is absorbed by the body over time.
The materials commonly used in dermal fillers include:
- Collagen: A type of protein that comes from tissue in the body. Sources of purified collagen are from either cow or human cells.
- Calcium hydroxylapatite: A mineral that is found in our teeth and bones. These particles are suspended in a gel and last about 18 months.
- Hyaluronic acid: A a type of sugar that can be found in our skin and cartilage.When combined with water, it swells, causing a smoothing effect. The effects last approximately 6 to 12 months.
- Polylactic acid: Also known as PLLA, it is a biodegradable, biocompatible polymer that is used in absorbable stitches and bone screws. Given in a series of injections over a period of several months, the effects of PLLA generally may last up to 2 years.
Dermal Fillers Procedure
The results from Dermal Fillers can be either permanent or temporary, depending on the type of filler.
- After examining the areas of your face to be augmented, specific points may be marked as injection sites for the soft tissue filler.
- The injection site will be cleaned with an antibacterial solution.
- During the procedure, your doctor will make several small injections and gently massage the area. Although not painless, the injections are usually tolerated by most people.
The entire procedure can vary from 15 minutes to an hour, depending on the number of areas to be treated. Any markings on your face will be cleaned off once the doctor is satisfied with the results.
The treated area may be tender or swollen for 14 hours, and you may be advised to avoid alcohol and sun exposure.
Risks of Dermal Fillers
Your doctor will explain the risks and potential complications of dermal fillers.
The may include:
- Bruising or swelling of the treated area
- Asymmetry
- Infection of the injection site
- Skin rash or redness with itching
- Tenderness
Before deciding to have a procedure using soft tissue fillers, it is recommended that you select a doctor who is trained to perform the procedure.
Contact us to determine if dermal fillers are a suitable treatment for you.
