Over time, signs of skin aging become visible. And the top cosmetic procedure to restore one’s youthful glow and rejuvenate the skin is plastic surgery. However, with modern technology, you don’t have to go through all the risks, recovery, and downtime that plastic surgery can give you. There are now better solutions to address visible signs of skin aging.
What are dermal fillers? Dermal fillers are injectable gel-like substances that are injected underneath the skin to enhance its appearance. These are usually applied to the face for a minimally invasive solution to wrinkles, facial folds, smile lines, frown lines, cheek augmentation, and lip augmentation.
What Are Dermal Fillers?
Aging and other lifestyle factors can contribute to a decline in collagen production, which reduces skin laxity, resulting in fine lines, wrinkles, and facial folds. Dermal fillers are minimally invasive injectable solutions to sagging and wrinkled skin. Additionally, it may also be used to enhance thin lips through lip filler treatments that can provide effective lip augmentation results.
Dermal filler treatments aren’t permanent, but they can replace lost collagen and stimulate new collagen production in the process. This also results in more natural results without the stiffness of other injectable treatment options such as Botox.
Candidates for dermal filler treatments are to be evaluated by aesthetic providers depending on medical history and beauty goals. The general criterion of who can have dermal fillers is good health and those who don’t have conditions of severe facial wrinkles and sagging. For severe facial wrinkles, other alternative cosmetic treatments of injectable dermal fillers may be recommended by an aesthetic doctor or plastic surgeon.
Dermal Filler Ingredients: What Are Dermal Fillers Made Of?
There are several dermal filler substances used to make the skin look plumper and reduce fine lines and wrinkles in the process. Below are the categories of dermal filler treatments that may be suitable for you depending on your doctor’s recommendation:
- Hyaluronic Acid Filler (HA filler). Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring component produced by the skin. This ingredient is responsible for making the skin appear plumper and more hydrated. Results from these injectable fillers may last from about 6 to 12 months. The brands using this ingredient of dermal fillers are Belotero, Elevess, Hylaform, Juvederm(e.g, Juvederm Ultra, Juvederm Vollure XC), and Restylane (e.g, Restylane Lyft, Restylane Silk, Restylane Refyne).
- Calcium Hydroxylapatite. This mineral-like compound found in an injectable dermal filler is a type of calcium found in the bones. It’s characterized as soft tissue filler, gel-like, and vegan-friendly. Results from these injectable fillers may last from about 9 to 15 months. Radiesse is the brand using this ingredient.
- Poly-L Lactic Acid. This ingredient dissolves and metabolizes in the body within 2 days. Instead of injecting collagen with the secondary effect of stimulating new collagen production, this ingredient primarily has that effect. This is why results from fillers using this ingredient aren’t visible immediately after the treatment. Instead, it becomes visible over time. Sculptra Aesthetic is the brand using this ingredient.
- Polymethyl-Methacrylate (PMMA) Microspheres. This ingredient provides the best long-term solution than other dermal filler injections. This filler injection replenishes lost collagen while forming a matrix that protects the stimulated production of new collagen. This is mostly helpful for deep wrinkles. The brand using this ingredient is Bellafill.
- Autologous Fat Injections. This filler ingredient is sourced from an individual’s own body. Fat deposits are obtained from the body and injected into the target area. However, this filler ingredient doesn’t guarantee effective results and it may require multiple sessions to achieve an individual’s desired beauty goal.
Dermal Filler Procedure: How Do Dermal Fillers Work?
Dermal filler treatment is a popular option for those who are after fast and effective results to improve their facial features. Using a thin cannula to reduce invasiveness and ensure fine injection of the gel-like substance, dermal filler procedures work to restore lost collagen and stimulate new collagen production. Along with that are the following benefits of dermal filler treatments:
- Increased facial volume
- Smoother wrinkles
- Enhanced facial contour and nose shape
- Effective acne scar treatment
- Little to no recovery period
- Fast procedure and instant results
- Broad scope and coverage of signs of aging
- May be combined with other injectable filler treatments
Permanent Dermal Filler Injection Technique
The longevity and effectiveness of the dermal filler injection procedure depends on the expertise of the aesthetic provider that you choose. The aesthetic provider must have acquired sufficient experience and expertise when it comes to facial fillers.
They are also responsible for preparing the right treatment plan that best suits you. In addition, the type of dermal filler also contributes significantly to the long-lasting effect of the dermal filler treatment.
What Are Dermal Fillers Used For?
Dermal filler treatment is a non-invasive solution recommended on specific issues in applicable target areas. In general, dermal fillers can be applied to different target areas but there are certain ingredients that are most recommended for use.
Shown below are the uses of dermal fillers along with the dermal fillers that are most appropriate for the area.
| Uses of Dermal Fillers | Appropriate Dermal Filler/s |
| Deep Wrinkles | PMMA, Poly-L Lactic Acid, HA Fillers |
| Under-Eye Area | Autologous Fat Transfer, HA Fillers, Poly-L Lactic Acid |
| Facial Lines (e.g, Nasolabial Fold, Smile Lines, Frown Lines) | HA Fillers, PMMA |
| Forehead and Crow’s Feet | Poly-L Lactic Acid, Calcium Hydroxylapatite, PMMA |
| Cheeks | Bellafill, HA Fillers |
| Lips | HA Fillers |
| Chin | Calcium Hydroxylapatite, HA Fillers |
| Hands | HA Fillers, Calcium Hydroxylapatite |
| Chest or Decolletage | HA Fillers |
How Are Dermal Fillers Different Than Injectables?
Dermal filler injections are different from other injectable solutions such as Botox cosmetic treatment. Although both procedures involve injections, the target areas are different as well as the results. Shown below are the differences between dermal fillers and Botox cosmetic treatment:
| Injectable Solutions | Target Areas | Results |
| Dermal Filler Injections | Different areas of the face | Plumper, volumized skin to reduce wrinkles and fine lines and enhance hydration of the target area |
| Botox Cosmetic Treatment | Forehead, crow’s feet | Stop muscle movement to reduce wrinkles |
Botox cosmetic treatment and dermal fillers may work in different ways, but they can be combined for enhanced effectiveness of the results.
Side Effects Of Dermal Fillers: Are Dermal Fillers Safe?
Similar to other aesthetic injectable treatments, mild discomfort and pain along with other side effects are common and expected in facial filler treatments. These usually go away within 2 weeks after the treatment procedure.
The following are the side effects of the treatment:
- Swelling and bruising at the injection site
- Itching at the injection site
- Pain within the few days following the treatment
Do Dermal Fillers Cause Cancer
Dermal filler treatments are now so common that almost over 1 million people get this procedure every year. By this time, dermal fillers have established a safety profile that demonstrates the safety features, risks, and side effects of dermal filler treatments.
Additionally, there is no evidence that any type of dermal filler substance can cause cancer. There are many other common and rare risks associated with the use of dermal fillers, but none of which involve cancer.
Effectively Restore Your Youthful Glow With Dermal Filler for Skin Rejuvenation at Ethos Spa
Dermal filler injections are a safe and effective solution to correct signs of aging beyond what your skincare routine can do. It’s also a painless way to enhance your facial features without the risks, side effects, and long periods of recovery time associated with facial plastic surgery.
In this procedure, choosing the right aesthetic provider and med spa is important for effective treatment to achieve your beauty goals. Instantly reshape your features to complement your overall appearance by making your face naturally full with injectable dermal filler treatments. Our laser (e.g, laser hair removal, laser skin resurfacing) and skin care services ensure that you achieve your beauty goals with the least amount of pain and downtime possible.
Schedule your initial consultation today with Ethos Spa to see if dermal fillers are right for you.
