Dermal fillers conceal fine lines and wrinkles. Read this article to know more about dermal fillers, including what they do, their side effects, and the frequently asked questions about this procedure.
Dermal fillers have gained traction in the recent years. Patients go for dermal fillers for vatious reasons, including getting rid of wtinkles, fine lines, and improving appearance. Dermal fillers are made up of different substances, including collagen and hyaluronic acid. These substances have varying lasting period on the skin. Collagen fillers were the most common fillers used until they were replaced by hyaluronic acid-based fillers. Dermal filler treatments have several side effects, including bleeding, bruising, and swelling. However, these side effects subside with time.
What Is in a Dermal Filler?
Vedamurthy (2018) opined that dermal fillers are the most popular cosmetic product. A dermal filler contains a gel-like substance that covers wrinkles and smoothens the skin. Dermal fillers are popular because they are simple treatments and can be performed on an outpatient basis. There are various dermal fillers, each named according to the area in which they areinjected.
Examples of Dermal Fillers
The following are some examples of dermal fillers;
Collagen
Collagen is a pioneer filler and was the most common cosmetic product before it was replaced by hyaluronic acid. Collagen is as effective as other fillers, but the patient will have to patch test the collagen if it has been derived from cows (known as bovine fillers). Glogau (2012 ) stated that all bovine collagen fillers are potentially immunogenic. The human-derived filler is compatible with most patients because it exists naturally in the body. The main disadvantage of collagen fillers is that they are not easily dissolved compared to hyaluronic acid fillers. If the patient is dissatisfied with the outcome, they are stuck with the new look until the collagen wears out naturally. The collagen fillers last for as long as five years.
Hyaluronic Acid
Dovedytis, Liu & Bartlett (2020) stated that hyaluronic acid is versatile, and the main advantage that it has over collagen is that if the patient does not like the outcome, the it can be dissolved with an agent known as hyaluronidase. The hyaluronic acid fillers last only3 to 6 months and are therefore known as temporary fillers.
Calcium Hydroxylapatite
Corduff et al. (2021) stated that calcium hydroxylapatitefillers could be used for face contouring. Calcium hydroxylapatite is a temporary filler and is compatible with most body types.
Other dermal fillers are long–term fillers. They include polylactic acid, which can last for two years and polymethylmethacrylate, which is in the form of collagen and some tiny balls that are injected into the skin.
What Do Dermal Fillers Do?
Aging may cause the skin to lose elasticity and suppleness, causing formation of wrinkles, crow’s feet and smile lines. Shadows underneath the eyes may also develop. Some people have subtle scars on their faces. Genetics, lifestyles(e.g smoking) and excessive exposure to the sun rays are some factors that can change the skin. Dermal fillers can solve all those issues and make your skin smoother. If you want to enhance some features, such as the lips, dermal fillers will also be helpful.
Side Effects of Dermal Fillers
The filler market in the UK is unregulated; therefore, the fillers are readily available online and in a store around you. You can purchase them without a doctor’s prescription. Dermal fillers have effects, but they are usually associated with patients who sought the services of an unskilled person or self-injected themselves with the dermal fillers. Some side effects of dermal fillers arebruising, bleeding, swelling and sometimes infections. However, the side effects are usually mild and fade away after some time. Patients can also experience complications such as asymmetry and blindness.
FAQs about Dermal Fillers
What Happens Before the Dermal Filler Treatment?
Before the dermal treatment, you will have a consultation session with the cosmetic doctor to explain the goals you hope the treatment will achieve. You will also discuss your medical history with the cosmetic doctor. If you have had a filler treatment before, consecutive treatments have higher risks. The doctor will look at your skin and identify the areas that the treatment will target. Some of the questions you have to ask at the doctor’s office are;
- How much will the treatment cost
- The types of fillers available
- What to do in case of an emergency during after-care
What Should I Expect During Dermal Filler Treatment?
During the dermal treatment, the doctor will mark the target areas on your skin. The procedure is meant to be painless because the skin will be numbed with a numbing cream or a nerve block. However, you may experience some discomfort. The doctor will inject the filler into the skin with a syringe.
What Should I Expect After the Dermal Filler Procedure?
No matter how skilled the aesthetic practitioner is, you may experience bruising, bleeding and swelling. You may enquire from the doctor if you may have pain relievers. If the symptoms persist, you should seek medical intervention because it may be an infection.
How Long Will It Take for the Dermal Filler to Heal?
The dermal filler does not take long to heal. Within a few days, you will notice that the skin has healed. The time it takes for the treatment to heal differs from one person to the next based on genetics, underlying health issues and skin type.
Are Dermal Fillers Safe?
Dermal fillers are safe depending on whether the injector is skilled or not because of how the needle is handled and the use of a numbing cream. The aesthetic practitioner’s advice about what to do before and after the procedure is vital. During the healing process, you may encounter some challenges, and only an experienced practitioner can guide you on the right steps.
Conclusion
The dermal fillers are injected into the skin to cover wrinkles, scars, and anything the patient may want to conceal. The fillers are popular because they are not as drastic as plastic surgery and can be performed on an outpatient. There are vatious dermal fillers, each with advantages and disadvantages. For instance, collagen is good, but once it gets in the skin, the patient has to wait until it wears out; therefore, nothing can be done about discontent. Hyraluronic on the other hand can easily be dissolved when the patient is dissatisfied. Dermal fillers have mild side effects unless the injector is a quack.
References
Corduff, N., Chen, J. F., Chen, Y. H., Choi, H. S., Goldie, K., Lam, Y., … & Chao, Y. Y. (2021). Pan-Asian Consensus on Calcium Hydroxyapatite for Skin Biostimulation,Contouring, and Combination Treatments. The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 14(8), E76.
Dovedytis, M., Liu, Z. J., & Bartlett, S. (2020). Hyaluronic acid and its biomedical applications: A review. Engineered Regeneration, 1, 102-113.
Glogau, R. G. (2012, June). Fillers: from the past to the future. In Seminars in cutaneous medicine and surgery (Vol. 31, No. 2, pp. 78-87). WB Saunders.
Mohamed, D. A. (2020). Dermal Filler types, Effect on soft tissue and Life Style correlation. Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences Research, 3, 1-5.
Ksenia Sobchak enjoys blogging on fashion, style, lifestyle, love and CBD areas. Prior to becoming a blogger, Ksenia worked for a renowned fashion brand. Ksenia is a contributing author to leading fashion, lifestyle and CBD magazines and blogs. You can bump into Ksenia at her favourite cafe in South Kensington where she has written most blogs. Ksenia is a staunch advocate of CBD and its benefits to people. Ksenia is also on the panel of CBD reviewers at CBD Life Mag and Chill Hempire. Her favourite form of CBD are CBD gummies and CBD tinctures. Ksenia is a regular contributor at leading fashion, lifestyle as well as CBD magazines and blogs.
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