What are dermal fillers?
Dermal fillers or soft tissue fillers are gel-like substances that are used to smoothen out wrinkles and creases. It is also used to enhance facial contours and fill the volume deficits.
As we age, the skin losses its subcutaneous fat, wrinkles and deep under-eye hollowness start appearing and skin starts sagging. Dermal fillers are the solution for many such problems.
With the right type, you can achieve natural, beautiful, and safe results.
What are the types of dermal fillers?
Dermal fillers can be composed of naturally occurring, semi-synthetic, or synthetic materials. The most commonly used dermal filler is hyaluronic acid fillers. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring carbohydrate. It is normally present in our body and helps in keeping the skin and soft tissues firm and hydrated because of its hygroscopic properties. The biggest advantage of this type of filler is it can be easily dissolved if the patient does not like the appearance of the filler and in case of an adverse event.
Other less commonly used fillers are calcium hydroxy apatite, poly-L-lactic acid, polymethyl methacrylate, and autologous fat.
A dermatologist who has a thorough understanding of facial anatomy, proper injection techniques, and knowledge of various filler available can guide you in choosing the right type of dermal filler.
Is the dermal filler injection painful?
Hyaluronic acid fillers are premixed with lignocaine, a local anesthetic that automatically numbs the area while injection making the injection relatively pain-free.
How long will the effects of dermal filler last?
Hyaluronic acid-based fillers are slowly degraded inside the body over periods of months to years depending upon the area which is injected, depth of injection, and type of filler used. So the effect may last anywhere between 6 months to 2 years.
What are the common concerns for which dermal fillers can be used?
- Tear trough or under eye hollowness or under eye dark circles
- Post Acne depressed scars or any depressed scar
- Sunken cheeks
- Facial contouring
- Chin volume and contouring
- Retracted chin
- Defining jawline
- Temporal area hollowness
- Deep smile lines that run from the side of the nose to corners of the mouth (also known as nasolabial furrows)
- Frown lines present in between the eyebrows
- Lip drooping
- Marionette lines at the corners of the mouth which runs down to jaw
- Restore lip volume and define lip boundaries
- Smoker’s lines or vertical lines around the mouth
What are the various risks associated with dermal filler injections?
Risks and side effects are minimal in the hands of a trained dermatologist. Most common side effects are pain, swelling, redness, bruising, tenderness and itching. Less common being nodule formation, allergic reaction, infection, filler migration. Rarely in case the filler inadvertently enters the vessel can cause tissue necrosis, vision problems or stroke.