Everything You Wanted To Know About Dermal Fillers
Posted on: 16 June 2017
Until scientists manage to uncover the proverbial "fountain of youth" once and for all, you're left with a broad range of surgical and non-surgical procedures for facial rejuvenation. One such non-surgical option involves dermal fillers, a unique process that can help restore aged skin to a more youthful appearance. If you want to know more about dermal fillers, the following offers an in-depth look at the procedure.
How They Work
As you age, your facial skin will lose some of its elasticity, along with small amounts of its subcutaneous fat. These losses often result in the formation of wrinkles and creases as well as a loss of overall volume in the cheeks, lips, and under-eye areas. Dermal fillers work by adding volume to these facial areas, giving your face a fuller and more youthful appearance.
Most dermal fillers are derived from either natural or synthetic components. Natural dermal fillers derived from collagen or hyaluronic acid are less likely to produce an allergic reaction in most patients. However, natural fillers tend to break down much faster than synthetic fillers, requiring follow-up treatment on a more frequent basis. Synthetic dermal fillers derived from calcium hydroxylapatite or liquid silicone tend to last longer, although there's a greater risk of an allergic reaction.
It's also possible to have your own body fat used as natural dermal filler. This option offers the most compatibility and it's capable of lasting for years on end. This option requires going under the knife, however, since you must have liposuction surgery to retrieve the fat needed for the injection.
What to Expect
Prior to the treatment, your plastic surgeon will sit down with you and go over your medical history, looking for any prior medical conditions that could rule out a dermal filler injection. It's important to disclose any and all medications you're taking, since some may increase bruising or introduce other complications into the procedure.
The actual treatment process is relatively straightforward. After cleaning and applying a topical anesthetic to the injection site, your plastic surgeon will inject a precise, pre-measured amount of dermal filler into the target area, just beneath the skin. In most cases, you'll likely notice the results of the treatment almost immediately.
Afterwards, you'll likely experience a slight amount of bruising and swelling. Keep in mind that this is temporary and should disappear within a few days after treatment. In most cases, you'll be able to return to your normal activities within a day after the treatment.
Benefits of Using Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers not only excel at recreating youthful looks lost through the aging process, but the process itself is also non-invasive and relatively quick to complete successfully. Most procedures can be done within the same day, although a small period of rest may be ordered to prevent any complications from happening.
In addition to filling in and smoothing out wrinkles, creases and depressions, dermal fillers can also be used for non-surgically reshaping other facial features, including the lips and nose. Chin augmentations can also be performed using natural or synthetic dermal filler.
What Dermal Fillers Won't Do
Keep in mind that the rejuvenating effects offered by dermal fillers aren't permanent, despite certain types of synthetic fillers offering long spans between treatment sessions. For those looking to permanently revitalize their facial appearance, facelifts and other surgical treatments are likely to be a better option with longer-lasting results.
Also remember that dermal filler injections are not the same as Botox injections. While dermal fillers are intended to add volume where wrinkles and depressions are likely to occur, Botox injections are intended to prevent muscle movement that could cause those wrinkles to form. It's not unusual for patients to have both dermal fillers and Botox injections done to bring about a more youthful appearance.
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