Injectibles
Dermal Filler
Dermal fillers are one of the most beloved anti-aging and age-defying treatments available. They’re quick, easy, and come with no recovery. Plus, the downside is less risky than something more invasive, which keeps patients coming back for them.
There are several different fillers on the market, and each has its benefit. Knowing what to have injected and where can be tricky, which is where the help of a trained injector comes into play. In the end, achieving a renewed look of youthfulness and better-defined facial features is the ultimate goal with dermal fillers.
What are dermal fillers?
Dermal fillers are injectable products that help restore lost volume in the face. With age, it’s normal to lose facial volume (fat), which causes the face and specific features to look flat and deflated and lack sharp lines and definition. In addition, the quality of the skin is also affected, and with less moisture in the skin, it can look dry and less plump and cushiony.
When injected into specific facial planes, the products help reinflate flat features, like the lips, cheeks, and mid-face, to restore the youthful contours and definition of the face. While some call dermal fillers magic, they must always be done conservatively and appropriately. Overfilling the face can lead to an unnatural appearance. Every face is different, and some people need more volume than others.
Hyaluronic acid is the main ingredient in dermal fillers. Other types of fillers contain other ingredients like calcium hydroxylapatite and polylactic acid. Hyaluronic acid is naturally found in the body and is the substance that lubricates and provides cushion to the joints, eyes, and skin. In the case of injectable fillers, a synthetic version of hyaluronic acid is used. By drawing moisture to the area, it can plump a feature, such as:
- The cheeks
- Deep nasolabial folds around the mouth
- The lips and lip border
- Under the eyes
- Temples
Dermal fillers are not a permanent way to restore lost volume, but they are quick, efficient, and accessible. Each injectable lasts for a different length of time, but on average, you can expect the results of your newly contoured face to stay that way for about six to 18 months, depending on the area treated and the product used.
How do dermal fillers work?
Dermal fillers work via injection to place the synthetic hyaluronic acid gel in the appropriate plane under the skin.
The gel can be injected with either a needle or cannula, depending on your injector’s preference and experience. Once the dermal filler comes into contact with the treated area, it works to plump the site from the inside out, reinstating natural fullness to the area and redefining aging facial features.
Unfortunately, not all areas of the face can be treated with filler, although plenty are. Fillers work best for filling in static lines and wrinkles, meaning they are not caused by repeated muscle movement and facial expression. If a line or wrinkle is present when the face is at rest, those respond best to dermal fillers.
Hyaluronic acid fillers are the most popular and commonly injected type of dermal filler. That’s because this synthetic gel is most compatible with naturally-occurring hyaluronic acid found in the body. Although hyaluronic acid has a hydrating component to it when used on the skin when injected into the skin, it volumizes the area by drawing water to it, so it’s nice and plump.
During the procedure, Dr. Rheaume will inject the treatment area with one of two products: Versa by Revanesse or Belotero by Merz Aesthetics. Both are hyaluronic acid dermal fillers of varying weights. Versa, which boasts nearly no post-injection swelling, smoothes fine lines and wrinkles while enhancing facial volume; Belotero is light and easy to layer, so it doesn’t create lumps or bumps in fine lines. The entire treatment takes between 15 and 60 minutes, depending on the areas treated. Before any needles come into contact with the face, Dr. Rheaume carefully plans the procedure and maps out the injection points before starting the injections. She also builds up to a natural result by using a light hand.
With hyaluronic acid filler, the results are immediate. There may be bruising and swelling post-injection. It’s a common side effect. Steering clear of supplements like fish oil and over-the-counter pain medications, including aspirin, can lessen the risk of bruising.
What are the benefits of dermal fillers?
There’s a lot that dermal fillers can do, but they can’t fix every age-related or aesthetic concern, which is why it’s critical to have realistic expectations. The primary function of dermal fillers is to add volume to volume-deficient areas without using an implant, fat grafting, or plastic surgery. Several factors make dermal fillers popular and a go age-rejuvenating treatment. Some of the key reasons why patients continually choose dermal fillers to address common signs of aging include:
Plus, fillers can treat multiple areas of the face, like:
- Thin lips and lip lines
- Shallow, poorly-defined contours
- Folds and wrinkles, especially those between the nose and mouth
- Scars
- Hollowing under the eyes and in the temples
- Flat-looking cheeks
Who are dermal fillers for?
Dermal fillers work for many candidates as long as you are healthy and have realistic expectations of what the treatment can and cannot deliver. For example, if you are experiencing some volume loss or have fine lines and wrinkles, you are likely a candidate for dermal fillers. The best way to determine if dermal fillers are right for you is to call and schedule a consultation today.
How much do dermal fillers cost?
The cost of dermal filler varies from person to person. The type of filler used and the treatment area are factors in the overall price. We recommend a consultation for a detailed estimate to determine how much your dermal filler session will cost.
Common FAQs
Unlike long-lasting injectables and Botox, the effects of hyaluronic acid fillers are reversible if you are not happy with the results. We can inject an enzyme called hyaluronidase into the face to dissolve the dermal filler in just a few hours and bring it back to baseline.
Unlike long-lasting injectables and Botox, the effects of hyaluronic acid fillers are reversible if you are not happy with the results. We can inject an enzyme called hyaluronidase into the face to dissolve the dermal filler in just a few hours and bring it back to baseline.
It’s standard to numb the area with topical numbing cream to make the entire process more comfortable. Most dermal fillers are now formulated with lidocaine, but an extra layer of protection never hurts. Keep in mind that some areas, like the lips, have more nerves than others, making these areas more sensitive to injections.
Fillers fill, and neuromodulators weaken muscle contraction. The two are often used together to achieve patients’ goals, but they are different injectable products that work differently. For example, small, fine lines, like the crow’s feet, respond well to Xeomin and Botox because these lines result from repeated muscle movements and facial expressions.
Injections with hyaluronic acid filler are immediate, but minor swelling and bruising sometimes impede the complete result from being seen. As the swelling subsides over the next week or so, the final results settle into place.
Get started with AdvancedMD Aesthetics of Atlanta
If you’re ready to get rid of the signs of aging and flaunt a more youthful appearance, there’s no better time than now to book a consultation with Advanced MD Aesthetics of Atlanta. A one-on-one consultation with our experienced, professional aestheticians and team of skin experts will determine the dermal filler treatment for you. We can also customize a package specific to your needs so you can obtain the best results possible.
Click the button below to schedule a consultation or book your dermal filler appointment today!
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