Facial Fillers

If you've ever seen someone with smooth, youthful-looking facial skin and felt a twinge of envy, there's something you should know. A cosmetic treatment can help you look years younger without going under the knife. We're talking about dermal fillers. Keep reading to learn more about what facial fillers can do for you.

What are injectable dermal fillers?

An injectable dermal filler is a gel-like substance that is injected beneath the skin to soften creases, smoothen lines, and enhance the facial contour in areas where there is volume loss, such as sunken cheeks or thinning lips. Filler treatment is a minimally invasive office procedure that can improve many of the visible signs of aging, helping you look years younger with an easy, convenient treatment.

Types of facial fillers: How do I know which dermal filler to try?

There are various types of products available. The most common are listed below:

Hyaluronic acid fillers

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance in the skin that gives the skin a plump, hydrated appearance. Examples of HA fillers include Juvederm, Restylane Lyft, Restylane Silk, and Belotero.

Calcium hydroxylapatite

Calcium hydroxylapatite CaHA is a substance that is found naturally in the bones. It is used as a filler to correct deep lines and wrinkles. An example of CaHA is Radiesse.

Poly-L-Lactic Acid

This is a biodegradable substance that is used to smooth fine lines and help the skin rebuild collagen. Example of poly-L-lactic acid is Sculptra.

PMMA (polymethylmethacrylate)

PMMA is a synthetic material that is used in dermal fillers in the form of microspheres to provide structural support. Bellafill is a well known PMMA dermal filler.

Autologous fat injections or lipofilling

This is an injectable filler treatment in which your own fat is harvested from one area of the body by liposuction, purified, and injected into the face to help restore volume or correct wrinkles.

What can fillers do for my face?

Dermal fillers like hyaluronic acid are an excellent treatment to smoothen wrinkles, but they can do much more. Some of the common problems that can be corrected with soft tissue fillers include:

• Smile lines or lip lines around the mouth
• Marionette lines around the mouth and nose
• Vertical lines near the lips
• Deep nasolabial folds
• Volume loss causing sunken cheeks and temples
• Asymmetry in facial features

Millions of men and women choose filler treatments for facial rejuvenation each year. They are an FDA approved, minimally invasive, cost-effective way to look younger without plastic surgery.

What are the best facial fillers?

With so many soft tissue fillers on the market, it can be confusing to choose the best one. What you should do is go to a board certified dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon for medical advice. At the consultation, talk to your aesthetician about your concerns. They will examine your face and guide you on the best facial filler for your skin type and problems. Each type of facial filler has unique properties such as density, texture, and duration of results. Some fillers work better for certain areas of the face or to correct specific soft tissue concerns. Your aesthetic surgeon is the best person to tell you which type of filler will give you optimum results.

How long do facial fillers last? Are dermal fillers permanent?

Filler injections in the skin are not a permanent treatment. The results are temporary and typically last 6-12 months. With some semi-permanent filler injections, results last longer, up to 18 months, sometimes even two years. The results are not permanent because the body gradually absorbs the filler products, causing the facial wrinkles to reappear.

Do wrinkle fillers ruin your face?

When performed by a qualified plastic surgeon, facial fillers are safe cosmetic procedures that can effectively treat common signs of facial aging like wrinkles. However, it is important to avoid inexperienced practitioners or medical spas for this type of treatment. In the wrong hands, unregulated use of dermal fillers can cause problems like decreased muscle movement and frozen face at the injection site, numbness, or blindness if a critical blood vessel is injured during the injection.

What are the possible side effects of fillers?

Like all treatments, facial fillers carry some risks. The most common side effects of hyaluronic acid and other injection filler treatments are bruising, swelling, itching, and pain. Less commonly, discoloration, lumps and bumps, and infection can develop at the injection site. You can reduce your risk of complications by choosing a board certified surgeon to perform the soft tissue injection with FDA approved filler products.

What should I ask my doctor during the consultation?

If you've been thinking about getting filler treatment to restore lost volume or correct facial wrinkles, here's what you should ask your practitioner before the injections.

• What facial fillers do you use in your clinic? Is the filler material a naturally occurring one or a synthetic one? Is the filler FDA approved?
• What training or experience do you have in treating wrinkles in someone with my profile?
• What are the common side effects of the treatment you are offering me? What happens if I have an allergic reaction?
• How often will I need to return for touch ups?
• Can the filler injection be combined with something like Botox?
• Can you remove the facial fillers if I don't like the results?
• How long are the results expected to last?

What precautions should I take before getting fillers?

During the consultation, be sure to give your doctor all your health information. This can help in predicting potential side effects.

Before your appointment for filler injections, you should follow your doctor's instructions, such as avoiding blood thinner and other medications and supplements that can increase the risk of bleeding.

Two days before your appointment, you should stop using topical skincare products as advised by your doctor.

One day before your injections, you should stay well hydrated and avoid alcoholic beverages.

After your injections, you should avoid any exaggerated or repeated facial movements for 3 days to minimize the risk of filler migration or displacement.

Who should avoid dermal fillers?

If you have an active skin infection, such as cold sores, your doctor will advise you to wait until it has resolved. People who have a history of allergies to filler products should avoid this treatment. Doctors recommend that women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should hold off on filler treatments.

Alternatives to facial fillers like hyaluronic acid

Unfortunately, there is no magical skincare product that can replicate the effect of hyaluronic acid injections. What you can do is use good quality products for sun protection, eat a healthy diet, and exercise regularly to keep your skin looking healthy and young. Your dermatologist may recommend some medical-grade products that can sometimes give better results than off-the-shelf skin care products.

Choosing a provider for filler treatments

Although the injections to treat wrinkles are not a surgical procedure, you should choose a provider with a great deal of care. A provider with extensive experience and skill can ensure that you get expected results in terms of correction of wrinkles and other concerns. It is not a bad idea to ask to see before and after photos of other patients. This can help you develop realistic expectations in terms of what the treatment can do for your facial wrinkles and other concerns.

How much do dermal fillers cost?

Dermal fillers are typically priced per syringe and cost around $500 per syringe. The total cost of your treatment will depend on how many injections you need to obtain the desired results.

The MeTime app makes it easy to find a qualified dermal filler provider near you. You can click and upload pictures and have suggestions sent directly to you. Interested in facial fillers? Try the MeTime app today!