Fillers have gained popularity recently. Patients need to understand the contents of fillers with the various filler treatments. This article discusses what is in fillers, including the types of fillers, benefits, and side effects.
Fillers are substances injected beneath the skin to enhance fullness and hydration. Fillers contain various products, such as hyaluronic acid, calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA), polylactic acid, and polymethylmethacrylate. Hyaluronic acid-based filler helps maintain smooth, hydrated, and plump skin. Calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) fillers are biocompatible and help with wrinkles and folds. Polylactic acid fillers stimulate collagen production, making the skin tighter and healthier. This article discusses fillers and what they contain.
What Are Fillers?
Fillers, also known as dermal fillers, are gel-like products injected under the skin to restore volume loss. Dermal filling is a cosmetic procedure that does not require surgery. Cosmetic doctors inject dermal fillers under the skin. An aesthetic practitioner cleanses the area to avoid any infections after the procedure. However, the discomfort subsides after a few days. Dermal fillers are done by cosmetic doctors and may help rejuvenate the skin. They can also help with under-eye circles and smoothen fine lines.
Reasons for Fillers
Patients opt for lip fillers for various reasons, including;
Enhancing Appearance
La Gatta et al. (2019) stated that dermal fillers make the skin plump and hydrated. The skin may become loose and saggy due to volume loss. Hyaluronic acid-based fillers can be used to add volume and make the skin plump.Loose skin or asymmetrical appearance can also be enhanced.
Types of Fillers
There are various types of fillers. They include;
Hyaluronic Acid Fillers
Hyaluronic acid is an injectable dermal filler that makes the skin full and hydrated. It is also a natural compound in the body. Virmani& Pathak (2022) showed that hyaluronic acid allures water that helps with hydration and plumpness when injected beneath the skin. Hyaluronic acid fillers are temporary and help eliminate fine lines and wrinkles. According to Mansouri & Goldenberg (2015), hyaluronic acid fillers last up to a year.
Benefits of Hyaluronic acid
Hyaluronic acid fillers pose several benefits to the skin. They include;
• Stimulates the production of collagen, enhancing the appearance
• Decreases wrinkles and fine lines
• Smoothens the skin texture
Calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) Fillers
Calcium hydroxylapatiteis biocompatible and biodegradable dermal filler. Calcium hydroxylapatite fillers are long-lasting but temporary. Van Loghem et al. (2015)suggested that the results of calcium hydroxylapatite fillers can last from 12-24 months. Calciumhydroxylapatite fillers help with wrinkles, folds, and volume loss on the skin. Volume loss can be caused by old age.Fakih-Gomez &Kadouch (2022) Calcium hydroxylapatite fillers have strong skin-tightening and tissue-lifting effects compared to hyaluronic acid.
Benefits of Calcium Hydroxylapatite Fillers
- It gives a natural look.
- Deals with wrinkles and folds by stimulating the production of collagen.
- It provides a long-lasting volume effect.
- Calcium hydroxylapatite fillers are easy to mold.
Polylactic Acid Fillers
These fillers have microspheres that trigger the production of collagen. Collagen helps reduce wrinkles and fine lines by making the skin strong and tight. Lafaurie et al. (2013) that the results of polylactic acid fillers last for two years.
Benefits of Polylactic Acid Fillers
- Stimulate collagen.
- Reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
- Improves volume loss.
- It gives a natural look.
Polymethylmethacrylate Fillers
Polymethylmethacrylate fillers are less versatile compared to the other types. Polymethylmethacrylate fillers mostly consist of collagen, which makes them have a thick texture. They are durable, making them semi-permanent. According to Chacur et al. (2019), the results of polymethylmethacrylate fillers last for five years. However, these fillers cannot be injected on thin skin.
Benefits of Polymethylmethacrylate Fillers
- The results of polymethylmethacrylate fillers are durable
- It contains collagen
Advantages of Fillers
Dermal fillers have several advantages, including;
They are Temporary
Patients can get rid of fillers if they are unsatisfied with the results or want a different look. Also, dermal fillers can be made to perfection.
Minimal to Zero Pain
Dermal filling is a non-surgical procedure that has minimal to zero pain. Before filler treatments, a cosmetic doctor applies a numbing cream to ease the discomfort and procedure.
Fillers are Natural
Fillers eliminate fine lines and wrinkles, making the skin plump, smooth, and hydrated. Cosmetic products give out a natural and youthful appearance.
Dermal Fillers Restore Collagen
Collagen makes the skin healthy. While aging, the skin loses volume and becomes saggy. Bukhari et al. (2018) suggested that fillers can be used to stimulate the production of collagen for tight and healthy skin.
No Downtime
After filler treatments, patients resume their daily activities with ease. Lin & Christen (2020) showed that filler’s effects, such as bruising, do not last long and diminish within two weeks.
Enhances Appearance
Dermal fillers enhance appearance. Fillers, such as lip fillers, can make patients with asymmetrical or thin lips enhance their appearance.
Side Effects of Fillers
Fillers have side effects, including:
• Swelling
• Bruises
• Redness
However, these effects subside within a short period. Check-in with your aesthetic practitioner if you notice extreme side effects such as excess bleeding.
FAQs about Fillers
Do Fillers Have a Downtime?
Dermal fillers have no downtime. After the filling procedure, patients can return to their daily routine. Goodman et al. (2020) advised that patients avoid strenuous activities, drinking alcohol, massaging the face, or applying makeup 24 hours after the filler procedure.
Are Dermal Fillers Safe?
Dermal fillers are safe.Taylor et al. (2020) revealed that wrong injections of dermal fillers could lead to complications, such as blindness. Ensure you seek filler treatments from qualified cosmetic doctors and aesthetic practitioners. After the filler treatments, patients may experience swelling, bruising, or redness. However, these effects subside after some time.
Conclusion
Fillers are substances injected into the skin’s tissues to make the skin plump. The dermal filler procedure is fast and pain-free. Several dermal fillers, including hyaluronic acid and polylactic acid, have a varying duration on the skin. Hyaluronic acid fillers are the most common fillers. They are thin and make the skin plump and hydrated. Hyaluronic acid also naturally exists in the body. Patients use fillers for various reasons, such asto enhancetheir appearance. However, fillers have several side effects, including bruises, bleeding, and swelling. However, these side effects subside within a short period. Choose the type of fillers, depending on your preference.
References
Bukhari, S. N. A., Roswandi, N. L., Waqas, M., Habib, H., Hussain, F., Khan, S., … & Hussain, Z. (2018). Hyaluronic Acid, A Promising Skin Rejuvenating Biomedicine: A Review Of Recent Updates And Pre-Clinical And Clinical Investigations On Cosmetic And Nutricosmetic Effects. International Journal Of Biological Macromolecules, 120, 1682-1695.
Chacur, R., Menezes, H. S., Da Silva Chacur, N. M. B., Alves, D. D., Mafaldo, R. C., Gomes, L. D., & Dos Santos Barreto, G. (2019). Gluteal Augmentation With Polymethyl Methacrylate: A 10-Year Cohort Study. Plastic And Reconstructive Surgery Global Open, 7(5).
Fakih-Gomez, N., &Kadouch, J. (2022). Combining Calcium Hydroxylapatite And Hyaluronic Acid Fillers For Aesthetic Indications: Efficacy Of An Innovative Hybrid Filler. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 46(1), 373-381.
Goodman, G. J., Liew, S., Callan, P., & Hart, S. (2020). Facial Aesthetic Injections In Clinical Practice: Pre- And Post-Treatment Consensus Recommendations To Minimize Adverse Outcomes. Australasian Journal Of Dermatology, 61(3), 217-225.
La Gatta, A., Salzillo, R., Catalano, C., D’Agostino, A., Pirozzi, A. V. A., De Rosa, M., & Schiraldi, C. (2019). Hyaluronan-Based Hydrogels As Dermal Fillers: The Biophysical Properties That Translate Into A “Volumetric” Effect. Plos One, 14(6), E0218287.
Lafaurie, M., Dolivo, M., Girard, P. M., May, T., Bouchaud, O., Carbonnel, E., … & ANRS 132 SMILE Study Group. (2013). Polylactic Acid Vs. Polyacrylamide Hydrogel For Treating Facial Lipoatrophy: A Randomized Controlled Trial [A Glance N Nationale De R Recherches Sur Le SIDA Et Les H Épatites V Males (ANRS) 132 SMILE]. HIV Medicine, 14(7), 410-420.
Lin, S. L., & Christen, M. O. (2020). Polycaprolactone‐Based Dermal Filler Complications: A Retrospective Study Of 1111 Treatments. Journal Of Cosmetic Dermatology, 19(8), 1907-1914.
Mansouri, Y., & Goldenberg, G. (2015). Update On Hyaluronic Acid Fillers For Facial Rejuvenation. Cutis, 96(2), 85-88.
Taylor, G. I., Shoukath, S., Gascoigne, A., Corlett, R. J., & Ashton, M. W. (2020). The Functional Anatomy Of The Ophthalmic Angiosome And Its Implications In Blindness: A Complication Of Cosmetic Facial Filler Procedures. Plastic And Reconstructive Surgery, 146(4), 745.
Van Loghem, J., Yutskovskaya, Y. A., &Werschler, W. P. (2015). Calcium Hydroxylapatite: Over A Decade Of Clinical Experience. The Clinical And Aesthetic Dermatology Journal, 8(1), 38.
Virmani, R., & Pathak, K. (2022). Consumer Nanoproducts For Cosmetics. In Handbook Of Consumer Nanoproducts (Pp. 931-961). Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore.
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