Dermal Fillers: What to Know Before You Try

Dermal fillers are fast and painless, non-surgical procedures that can help make you look years younger without the hassles of invasive surgery. It’s a treatment that takes a few minutes to eliminate fine lines and wrinkles. Typically, these fillers treat areas such as the cheeks, chin, lips, jaw, marionette lines, and nasolabial folds. Results from these injectables can last for a few months up to a year, based on the product type and usage.

If you start noticing the signs of aging on your face, dermal fillers are a consideration if you want non-surgical treatments. As our skins begin losing collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid components as we grow older, these injectables help restore volume and smoothen wrinkles and deeper lines. Dermal fillers usually consist of hyaluronic acid gel, naturally occurring substances that hydrate and volumize the skin. Let’s know more about them before you try them.

What are Dermal Fillers?

Dermal fillers are soft tissue injectables of synthetic or natural compounds. They can smoothen out age-related fine lines and wrinkles, give additional volume to recessed areas of the skin and conceal spots of depressed scars. In addition, dermal fillers can help augment and define the contours of the face and other body parts.

Most dermal fillers function as mechanical volume additions to the injection areas, while others can also help skin stimulation, producing natural collagen. It also adds to the filling effect dermal fillers entail.

Types of Dermal Fillers

There are several types of dermal fillers that have different uses, effectiveness, and safety. These injectables can be categorized into two (2) classes: temporary and semi-permanent. Differences in each type’s chemical composition account for the variation in their effectiveness and their profiles of use and side effects.

Temporary – are biodegradable fillers that gradually lose effect over six (6) months to two (2) years. Examples include those injectables based on hyaluronic acid, poly-L-lactic acid, calcium hydroxylapatite, and collagen.
Semi-permanent – are dermal fillers that can significantly produce longer-lasting results. Currently, only polymethyl methacrylate, or PMMA, is the semi-permanent filler approved by the FDA or Food and Drug Administration for use in the U. S.

Dermal fillers can also be classified into four (4) types based on the ingredient used in making them:

Hyaluronic Acid (HA)

a natural complex sugar found in the skin, cartilage and body fluids, and many other body tissue types
dermal fillers using this ingredient can be used to add volume to the cheeks and lip borders,
smooths out wrinkles around the mouth and eyes, and nasolabial folds, with results that can last as long as two (2) years
by far, the most popular type of fillers

Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA)

a synthetic, biocompatible compound used for surgical stitching and in medical devices for decades
as a dermal filler, PLLA’s primary ability is the stimulation of the skin’s natural collagen synthesis in treatment areas
used in treating lower face wrinkles like marionette lines, smile lines, and chin wrinkles
may also be utilized off-label in treating cellulitis, and knee and elbow wrinkles

Calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHa)

a mineral compound naturally found inside the bones and teeth
aside from its direct volumizing effect, it can also stimulate the skin’s production of natural collagen, augmenting the filling effect
treats facial wrinkles
adds volume to the chin and cheeks
adds definition to the jawline

Collagen

have fallen out of favor because of the introduction of many newer, more effective synthetic compounds such as HA
it is extracted from animal sources, having relatively higher risks of inflammatory results and allergic reactions than other dermal fillers
allergy tests may be necessary before having collagen injections to avoid these possible reactions

Polymethyl methacrylate

a nonbiodegradable synthetic dermal filler injected in collagen-containing suspensions
while collagen adds volume right away, PMMA crystals stimulate the natural collagen production of the body over a given period
due to its animal collagen components, practitioners should perform allergy tests first before receiving these injection types
it is also often used in augmenting the lips
can also be used in filling deeper furrows and depressed scars
results from this dermal filler can last as long as five (5) years

The Procedure

Dermal filler injections are simple outpatient procedures that are reasonably similar for all forms of fillers. They follow a standard process such as the following:

Once the predetermined injection sites are disinfected, doctors or practitioners apply topical or injectable anesthetics like lidocaine to help alleviate any potential discomfort.
Other dermal filler types may already contain combined anesthetics in the syringe.
Then, they will ask you to be still during the injection of the dermal filler.
You may be required to undergo multiple injections during this particular session based on where the treatment area is and how minor or severe the correction is needed.
In some instances, practitioners may also need additional injections at follow-up appointments.
Generally, this procedure that includes the preparation time should take around 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Afterward, you may immediately go home once the dermal filler injections are done.

How long do dermal fillers last?

Since most dermal fillers are biodegradable, they are naturally absorbed by the body over time. Almost all filler types can last six (6) months and two (2) years. With the exception, however, PMMA can last for two (2) to five (5) years. Most people opt to repeat their treatments after six (6) to nine (9) months, maintaining consistent results.

Risks and Side Effects of Dermal Fillers

In general, dermal filler injections are safe and well-tolerated minimally invasive procedures. But they can still carry some risks and side effects:

Bruising or swelling
Minor bleeding or even redness is expected, with people that have bleeding disorders or those taking blood thinners having higher risks
Allergic reactions, especially with collagen-containing products, can be risky but can be avoided with the help of allergy testing
Infections are uncommon, with excellent and regular skin hygiene further reducing any risks
Skin damage through poor injection techniques may disrupt the blood supply, resulting in skin damage or necrosis, also known as tissue death
Nerve damage from accidental injury affects the nerves supplying the skin, causing numbness or pain
A poor aesthetic outcome such as asymmetry or lumps results from poor injection techniques by inexperienced providers

Final Thoughts on Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers are some of today’s safe and effective treatments against mild-to-moderate facial wrinkles and scars. It also adds volume and plumpness to the skin. Most of its side effects are mild and self-limited; the more severe side effects are rare. Consult your doctor or healthcare provider if dermal fillers are suitable treatments for your skin issues.

Are you interested in having dermal fillers? Our awesome friends at Atelier Aesthetic Clinique can help you today. Visit them now! https://atelieraestheticclinique.com