Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers are injectable substances that are commonly used in cosmetic procedures to add volume, restore facial contours, and reduce the appearance of wrinkles and lines. They are typically made of a gel-like material that is injected beneath the skin.
Dermal fillers work by plumping up the area where they are injected, providing temporary volume, and smoothing out wrinkles or folds. They can be used to enhance various facial features and address signs of aging. Some common uses of dermal fillers include:
Lip Augmentation
Dermal fillers can be used to add volume and enhance the shape of thin or asymmetrical lips.
Facial Contouring
Fillers can restore volume to areas that have lost fullness over time, such as the cheeks or temples, helping to create a more youthful and defined appearance.
Wrinkle Reduction
Dermal fillers can minimize the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and creases, particularly in areas like the nasolabial folds (lines from the nose to the corners of the mouth) or marionette lines (lines from the corners of the mouth to the chin).
Scar Revision
Fillers can be used to fill in depressed scars and improve their appearance.
The effects of dermal fillers are temporary and typically last from several months to over a year, depending on the type of filler used and individual factors. Regular touch-up treatments are often required to maintain the desired results.
Dermal filler injections should be performed by qualified and experienced healthcare professionals to ensure safety and achieve optimal results. As with any cosmetic procedure, there can be potential risks and side effects, such as temporary redness, swelling, bruising, or lumps at the injection site. It's important to discuss your goals, medical history, and any concerns with a healthcare professional before undergoing a dermal filler treatment.
Frequently Asked Qestions
Dermal fillers are injectable treatments commonly made from non-animal sources of Hyaluronic Acid (HA) to restore lost volume and improve skin hydration. As we age, changes start to occur in our face with thinning of the skin, muscles, fat and bones. This can lead either to a sunken or sagging appearance to various parts of the face. HA maybe used to improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and facial folds caused by aging. Additional dermal fillers can be used to replenish volume in the lips.
Dermal fillers can last anywhere from 3-12 months, but exact duration depends on the locations, depth of injection and type of filler used. When filler is injected in an area with a lot of movement, such as the lips, filler tends to dissolve quicker due to then contraction of muscles.
There may be some discomfort with the injection, however, this is minimized as most dermal fillers contain Lidocaine which will numb the local area. Additionally, a distraction device maybe used to help minimize pain.
There are multiple brands of Hyaluronic Acid based fillers such as Belotero, Juvéderm, Ravenesse and Restylane. Each brand has different product lines that vary in particle size and weight which lead to different degrees of viscosity and elasticity. Collectively, this is known as G’ (G prime) and higher the G’ the denser and sturdier the filler is. Several non-HA fillers exist such as Radiesse, Sculptra and Bellafill. At Samsara we use HA based fillers and routinely have Restylane products in stock however we can order other HA based products as requested.
Fillers are considered generally safe; however, no procedure is without risk. Some common side effects may include acne like skin eruptions, asymmetry, bleeding from the injection site, bruising, swelling, lumps, over and/or under correction. A rare and serious side effects may occur when a blood vessel maybe accidently injected or blocked by filler.
The side effect that occurs depends greatly on the location of the blood vessel that is blocked. If the blood vessel leads to your eyes, you could potentially go blind. If the blood vessel leads to the skin, then you could develop skin loss or a wound. Because of the potential risk of serious side effects, it is important you discuss your treatment plan and concerns with your medical provider.
Hyaluronidase is an enzyme that can break down HA fillers and can be injected incase of a blocked vessel, however, this does not always reverse side effects from serious complications.
You may experience some swelling post injection which may last 1-2 days. It is also recommended to take it easy for the first 24 hours post injection by avoiding excessive sunlight and strenuous activity. Avoiding NSAIDS (i.e. Motrin) for the first week will also help minimize any bruising.