The most common areas where most cosmetic patients seek fillers are areas within the face. This article discusses how long it takes face fillers to work, factors affecting the longevity of fillers, types of facial fillers and the reason for taking face fillers.
Many facial changes occur as one gets older. Among those changes are the appearance of wrinkles, sagging skin and loss of volume in different parts of the face. These changes make people seek a way to restore the previous look; therefore, having face fillers becomes a viable option for many.Face fillers are also known as dermal fillers, and they are gel-like substances injected below the skin to fill wrinkles and lines and add volumes to areas on the face. Areas that most people seek dermal fillers for are as follows:
- Under the eye
- Sides of the mouth
- Lips
- Cheeks
- Chin
How Long It Takes for Face Fillers to Work
Unlike cosmetic surgeries, face filler injections are simple and take a short time. Even though individual results are not identical for different people, most patients can start to see the results within 24 to 48 hours after injections. However, face filler may take more time before the patient can see the full effect. Face fillers can take approximately two weeks to settle in the face fully. During this period, hyaluronic acid will play in the tissue below the skin and come into contact with water molecules. This process hydrates the skin and makes it appear smooth and healthy. Lip filler, especially hyaluronic acid, can make the lip look fully plump after a few days, but after some time, the lips may become smaller, resulting in the outcome.
Factors Affecting the Longevity of Fillers
Metabolism
People with a high metabolism rate will experience a short filler effect because their bodies will break down filler molecules faster than people with lower metabolism rates.
Movement
Movement reduces the effectiveness of fillers since it makes fillers attached to water molecules in the skin break down faster. Activity on injected area minimises the duration of the effect of the fill.
Addition of Filler intothe Injected Area
Adding fillers increases how long the filler affects the intended area.
Exposure to UV Light
Uv light can degrade hyaluronic acid used as filler on many face areas. This exposure would reduce how long fillers can last.
For facial fillers to work, patients with face filler procedures should follow after-filler tips to ensure the fill proceeds affect the injection areas. These includes:
- Avoid contact with the injected area immediately after injections
- Patients should take enough water regularly
- Avoid taking alcohol to avoid bruising
- Avoid intense heat until redness and swelling disappear; for example, in a sauna and hot baths.
Types of Facial Fillers
Calcium Hydroxyapatite
It is naturally found in human bones. No animal products are used to produce it. It makes it have a lower risk of allergic reactions. It enhances the cheeks’ fullness and adds volume to different parts of the face. It rarely migrates from its area of injection.
Hyaluronic Acid
Rabah & Aslan (2021) stated that hyaluronic acid is naturally found around the eyes, soft connective tissues, skin tissues and joint fluids. This acid improves vertical lines on the mouth, realigning lip borders, lines between eyebrows, and hollow cheeks and adding volume in the under-eye areas.It is used to add up the volume, remove wrinkles and reduce depression in the skin due to scars.
Polyalkylimide
Polyalkylimide has the following properties.
- Polyalkylimide does not interfere with X-rays since it is radio transparent.
- Rarely causes allergy
- Its reaction with human tissues is very minimal.
As a filler, it can be used to increase the sizes of lips, smoothen deep wrinkles and adds volume to different parts of the face lost because of old age.
Polymethyl-Methacrylate Microspheres (PMMA)
Lin et al. (2016) stated that PMMA is a semi-permanent filler used to augment lips, fill out scars, and treat big wrinkles and furrows. Some of the disadvantages of PMMA are that it takes a long time to show full effect once used as a filler and is visible under the skin.
Polylactic Acid
Hanf & Gresser. (2014) stated that injecting polylactic acid into the face allows the body to produce collagen. This type of synthetic dermal filler is known as a stimulator. It shows good results in the lower side of the face by increasing the volume of lips, treating deep nasolabial folds and smoothening areas occupied by laughing lines. The results of this filler take a long to be seen. Every time it is injected, the body has to produce collagens, making it take four to six weeks to see full results.
Reasons For Taking Face Fillers
Enhancing Lips
Fillers can be used to improve the symmetry of lips. Fillers can be used to increase the sizes of lips that may have shrunk with age. It is done by adding up the volume in the lips through lip filler injections.
Eliminating Facial Wrinkles
Nasolabial lines are lines that appear in areas around the mouth and nose. They may give an ugly appearance on the face. According to Muhn et al. (2012), injection of hyaluronic acid in these areas softens nasolabial lines and other wrinkles, decreasing their appearance.
Pulping the Cheeks
As onegrows older, the cheeks become hollow. It also makes the skin on the cheeks appear sagging. Some medications prescribed to HIV/AIDS patients cause the skin to become thin. Hyaluronic acid filler adds up the volume of the cheeks to give a better facial appearance.Fillers can be used to restore the original volume of the face after taking these medications.
Frequently Asked Questions about Fillers
How Do You Sleep After Face Fillers?
Sleeping on your back is the best position after face filler treatment. It prevents an individual from messing with the treated fillers.
When Can I Touch My Face After Fillers?
Do not touch the treated area immediately after the procedure. One can feel it 6-8 hours afterwards.
Can I Shower After Face Fillers?
There are no restrictions about taking a shower after face fillers. It would help if you kept your face clean to avoid infections.
Conclusion
Cosmetic doctors play a great role in delivering the desired outcome. The dermal filler procedure is always safe if competent cosmetic doctors do it. Patients should prioritise finding out whether potential cosmetic doctors have the required skills before the process occurs. Even though hyaluronic acid is commonly used for different types of facial fillers, it is necessary to ask what kind of filler the cosmetic doctor wants to use for the procedure. Discussing possible side effects would help the patient prepare and know the remedies that are put in place to overcome those side effects.
References
Hanf, E., & Gresser, U. (2014). Battle against Aging and Folds: Benefits and Risks of the Semi-Permanent Fillers Polylactic Acid and Calcium Hydroxylapatite. Advances in Aging Research, 2014.
Lin, Z. Y. W., Shah, V., Dhinakar, A., Yildirimer, L., Cui, W. G., & Zhao, X. (2016). Intradermal fillers for minimally invasive treatment of facial ageing. Plastic and Aesthetic Research, 3, 72-82.
Muhn, C., Rosen, N., Solish, N., Bertucci, V., Lupin, M., Dansereau, A., … & Swift, A. (2012). The evolving role of hyaluronic acid fillers for facial volume restoration and contouring: a Canadian overview. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 5, 147.
RABAH, H., & ASLAN, S. S. (2021). HYALURONIC ACID AND RELATED ANALYSIS IN FOOD SUPPLEMENTS. Research & Reviews in Health Sciences-I, 857.
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