Dermal Fillers
Dermal Fillers
What are dermal fillers? This is a gel like substance that is carefully injected into face to fill in lines, create lift, contour, and creates volume where depleted. This amazing treatment can take 10 years off instantly! As we age, our bodies start to lose collagen, which starts to cause skin laxity and loss of volume. The skin also gets thinner and starts to sag. The majority of filler used is hyaluronic acid (HA), which is slightly modified so it is prevented from being absorbed too quickly by the body. Where can dermal fillers be injected? The cheeks, smile lines (NLF lines), smokers lines around the mouth, lips, chin, and jawline are areas frequently injected. Common dermal filler brands include Juvéderm, Restylane, RHA by Revance (my personal favorite) and Revanesse. This treatment is beneficial for both women and men, and for all ethnicities.
Depending on the brand used, dermal fillers can last anywhere from 6 – 24 months. Before getting dermal filler injections, a health history and medication review will first be assessed to make sure you are healthy enough for getting these injections and to make sure it will not interfere with your prescribed medicine(s). Also, your anti-aging goals will be investigated to assist you in coming up with a personalized treatment plan, unique for your skin. After examining your face, you decide what areas you would like to enhance. The main goal is to look younger and refreshed. Enhancement is great, but you should still look like your natural self. Pictures are taken to compare before and after results. Because getting dermal filler injections can be uncomfortable (frequently described as pinching or stinging), numbing cream is applied and allowed to sit for 20-30 min to increase your comfort level during the injections. Once the assessment is completed, the numbing cream have taken effect, and the areas are marked, the time it takes to inject is usually around 30 – 60 min. Once the treatment is completed, you will see instant results, with full results in about 2 weeks. You will feel lumps at the injection sites……this is completely NORMAL. These lumps will smooth out in about 2 – 3 weeks, and will only be noticeable to you. There is no “down time” after getting dermal fillers, so you can resume most activities immediately after. Activities to avoid are: not to lay flat for 4 hours, no exercise for about 48hrs, avoiding alcohol for 2 days, and no face down activities, like massages, for about 14 days. The face should not be rubbed or massaged for the rest of the day, but can be lightly massaged the next day. Side effects can include bleeding, bruising, lumps and bumps, and pimples from the needle. Avoiding aspirin, NSAIDs, Vitamin C and E, fish oil and alcohol a few days before your dermal filler appointment can help alleviate most bruising. Some recommend icing the area injected, but allowing the body to use its own heat has shown to promote faster healing….so you can skip the ice. Frequently wrinkle relaxers (see page on wrinkle relaxers) are used by people who get dermal fillers, as they go hand and hand to create an overall smooth and youthful appearance. Please come in for a complimentary consultation to help you age gracefully during the aging process.