As we age, our body experience wear and tear from decades of use; elasticity of the skin deteriorates, lines and wrinkles develop. The skin loses both collagen and elastin, key components that provide youthful support and definition of overall facial structure.1However, physical deterioration does not have to become complete, and people can often slow it down.
There are plethora of things that can be done to minimize the effects of ageing, including having a good skin care regimen, but some deterioration in the quality and structure of the skin is inevitable.
So the key question is, does aesthetic procedures like Dermal Fillers can help with inevitable deterioration? Let's talk about that.
What are Dermal Fillers?
Dermal fillers are gel-like substances that are injected beneath the skin to restore lost volume, smooth lines and soften creases, or enhance facial contour.2
Types of Dermal Fillers
· Hyaluronic Acid - It helps keep skin plump and hydrated. It can be used to improved the skin's contour and reduced depressions in the skin due to scars, injury or lines.
· Calcium Hydroxylapatite - It is often used to moderate to severe creases such as nasolabial folds, marionette lines and frown lines. It also enhances the fullness of cheeks and other facial contours. Additionally, it improve volume in areas of facial wasting such as can occur in HIV-positive people taking certain medications.
· Polylactic Acid - Polylactic acid products are technically classified as collagen stimulators, as their main mechanism is to smooth fine lines by helping your skin rebuild natural collagen. It is known to work particularly well in the lower half of your face, and is used to fill the lines caused by laughing, plump thin lips, and treat deep nasolabial folds.
*Fat Injections as Dermal Fillers?
Autologous fat injections (Facial fat grafting)- Autologous fat injections are the only injectable filler treatment that requires surgery, but results can last for many years. Your own fat is harvested from another area (autologous means “from the same person”), typically using liposuction, the fat is then purified and injected into the face to help restore volume to the cheeks, temples, lower eyelids, or other areas.3
What to Expect During Treatment?
*During your consultation, your cosmetic surgeon will evaluate your area of concern and review your medical history. While the risks associated with dermal fillers are minimal, you need to fully disclose your medical history prior to treatment, as certain allergies, skin and neurological conditions, or medications can jeopardize your safety or results.
Step 1: Facial assessment and mapping
If you choose to utilize packaged soft tissue fillers, the plastic surgeon, or his specially-trained nurse, will evaluate your facial appearance and skin tone and examine the areas of your face to be augmented. Strategic points on your face may be marked as the appropriate injection sites for the filler. Photographs may be taken of the areas to be treated.
Step 2: Cleansing and anesthetizing
The injection sites will be cleansed with an antibacterial agent. Pain at the injection site may be ameliorated by use of a very cold instrument to chill the skin, anesthetic ointment to numb the skin or injection of local anesthesia. While not painless, the injections are usually easily tolerated.
Step 3: The injection
Injection usually takes only a few moments per site. The process of injecting, massaging, and evaluating the result is performed, and additional filler added as needed. Depending on the number of areas to be treated, the whole process may be as short as 15 minutes, or as long as an hour.
Step 4: Clean up and recovery
Once the results are deemed satisfactory, any markings will be cleansed off. You may be offered an ice pack to reduce swelling and alleviate discomfort. Although the area may feel a bit tender for a day or two, it is usually not painful enough to require any medication.
*Recovery time varies for each patient and for each type of filler injected. You can resume most activities right away, but it is generally recommended that you avoid intense physical activity for the first 24-48 hours to minimize swelling and bruising.
Before and After Photos
How Long Do the Results Last?
Hyaluronic acid fillers tend to be the most temporary option, and therefore are often recommended for first-time filler patients. These will typically last from 6 to 18 months. Injections to the lips will wear out a little faster than those to the nasolabial folds. Synthetic fillers like Polylactic acid tend to last longer, as they are not absorbed by the body.4 They can be a great option for the right patient, but you’ll want to be ready to commit to results that will be there for several years and choose an experienced, qualified provider whose aesthetic style you like.