How dermal fillers can help you look and feel good
Celebrities, pop stars, actors, or even your friends—more and more people are trying injectables such as fillers. But of course, not everyone is willing to do it, nor is a candidate for it. If you’ve been thinking about fillers but you’re still on the fence about them, read on. This week, I’ll fill you in on fillers—what they are, what they do, who they’re for, what you should expect before and after treatment.
Dermal fillers are injectable treatments that contain substances to help fill in hollow or sagging areas, define or contour the skin, smoothen lines on your face, and even enhance your features, resulting in a fresh, natural, and more youthful look. From the use of parrafin in the 1800s, fillers have come a long way, using bovine collagen in the ’80s to ’90s, and then introducing hyaluronic acid dermal fillers in the 2000s. In fact, there are different types of fillers today.
• Permanent fillers that we know today have Polymethyl-methacrylate (PMMA) like the brand Bellafill. Targeting wrinkles and folds, it is FDA-approved for smile lines and acne scars.
• Polylactic acid is a type of non-permanent filler that encourages collagen production. It is ideal to address hollow areas such as the cheeks, sides of the chin, and laugh lines. Several sessions may be done to achieve the desired effect, which may take a few months. This type of filler lasts for up to two years. Sculptra is an example of a brand that uses this type of filler.
Fillers can address different signs of aging such as sagging skin, laugh lines, hollow cheeks, and droopy eyebrows. They can also enhance your appearance, addressing thin lips, hollow cheeks, and sunken eyes, enhance contours, improve your nose structure, chin, and other facial deformities or defects.
• Calcium hydroxylapatite is also a type of non-permanent filler wherein the substance can be found in our bones. It can also address hollow areas on the middle and lower part of the face, enhance contours, and fade deeper lines. This type of filler lasts for months up to a year. A well-known brand using this type of filler is Radiesse.
• Hyaluronic acid is the most popular type of non-permanent filler, with brands such as Restylane and Juvederm using this. From reducing scars, lines, and folds to enhancing facial features and structure, this filler can do it. Hyaluronic acid is found in the body and since it holds water, it also helps in hydration. This type of filler lasts for months up to a year.
Fillers can address different signs of aging such as sagging skin, laugh lines, hollow cheeks, and droopy eyebrows. But more than that, dermal fillers can also enhance your appearance and address thin lips, hollow cheeks, and sunken eyes, enhance contours, improve your nose structure, chin, and other facial deformities or defects.
Since dermal fillers involve injections, make sure to follow instructions pre-treatment. This usually includes avoiding facial peels and acids, shaving, and alcohol at least a few days before. Post-treatment, it is common to experience bruising, redness, or swelling, but it should subside after a few days. Also, avoid any type of pressure on the skin, facial peels and acids, strenuous activities, sun and heat exposure, and coffee, alcohol, or salty food. If the side effects do not subside in a few days, contact your dermatologist or a medical professional.
Unfortunately, not everyone can be a candidate for fillers. Aside from looking at the area/s of concern, other factors such as your age, lifestyle, and current health condition are also considered. If you are not suitable for fillers, don’t worry. There are other ways to fade lines, enhance contours, and achieve more youthful skin. Aside from fillers, there are also botulinum toxin injections, popularly known as Botox, lasers such as Thermage and Ulthera, and at times, even a combination of both to achieve the best results. Just remember to go to a reputable and licensed dermatologist or plastic surgeon and clinic, research and ask questions, manage your expectations, and follow instructions before and after treatment for the best results.