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Some people have the desire to preserve their face freshness and glowing looks. With increasing age, skin starts to droop down and wrinkles appear. At this point we may feel that maybe a little help is needed. There are many procedures that restore the glow and ‘freshness’ of your face, one of these being dermal fillers – a procedure which helps the skin to look rejuvenated.
There are various other names for fillers, such as facial soft tissue fillers, wrinkle fillers or injectable facial implants. However, dermal fillers enhance your beauty by restoring your skin’s tightening ability. It’s a procedure used in the treatment of skin for wrinkles, bringing about smoother fresher looking skin.
As the name implies, dermal fillers is a course of treatments that involves injections into the dermis of the skin, the dermis being the deep layer of the skin that consists of natural collagen.
Dermal Filler Materials
The materials used in the injection of dermal fillers can include:
Hyaluronic acid
An important polysaccharide present in our skin, also present in the cartilage. It forms a gel when combined with water and utilized in removing the skin’s wrinkles. The type of hyaluronic acid used is chemically modified so it has a longer life. The effect of the injection containing this chemical lasts about 6 to 12 months.
Collagen
A very important protein that is naturally present in our skin. Its decreased production may lead to skin loosening and the appearance of wrinkles. The effect created by the collagen fillers normally lasts for three to four months.
Calcium hydroxylapatite
A mineral that’s already present in our teeth and bones. The calcium hydroxylapatite in this case is suspended in a gel-like solution. This suspension is then injected into the skin, its effect lasting for about 2 years.
Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA)
A biocompatible, biodegradable synthetic polymer, it’s also used in bone screws and absorbable stitches. It is one of the longest lasting of the dermal filler materials. Its effect may remain for approximately 2 years, the beneficial effects of PLLA become visible over time.
The complete procedure time varies anywhere from 15-30 minutes. You can choose the material to be injected; your doctor or consultant will assist you depending on your skin requirements. Then anaesthetic cream (referred to as numbing cream) can be applied to prevent discomfort. Your doctor or consultant may offer you repeated injections depending on the requirement.
The treated area often stays red or swollen for a short time, sometimes slightly tender to touch, but you can return back to your job pretty much the same day. The effect of the treatment will appear within 3 to 7 days. It may take a couple of weeks for its effect to be fully apparent.
The fillers can be used in conjunction with other skin rejuvenation treatments such as Anti-wrinkle injections. Your doctor or consultant will evaluate your skin requirements and then suggest single or a combination of therapies to achieve the desired results.
As with other procedures, there are some risks and complications associated with dermal filling. There is a risk of hypersensitivity reaction or an allergic reaction with the material used. Consequently, it’s highly recommended that a skin sensitivity test is taken to prevent any possible allergy complications.
Swelling, numbness and redness of the treated area often occur after the treatment, they’re not complications, just the body’s normal reaction. These symptoms disappear within a few hours, sometimes days. If these symptoms persist, they may need treating.
Other complications due to dermal filler include formation of nodules, bumps, granulomas, cysts, or irregularities at the site of injection. There is a risk of infection but it’s very rare. Should infection occur, it’s treated with a course of antibiotics. Choosing someone experienced and qualified in the procedure of dermal fillers is recommended, under supervision of a plastic surgeon.
Q. What is the recovery time after dermal filler injections?
A. It depends on the quantity of filler and type of filler used, but you can usually go back to your work reasonably quickly. The effect will take 3 to 5 days to become fully apparent.
Q. Is dermal filler safe?
A. It is a safe procedure as long as it’s carried out by a qualified consultant under the supervision of a plastic surgeon, in a sterilised environment.
Q. Does dermal filler hurt?
A. Some people may experience a little discomfort. Often, an anaesthetic cream (known as numbing cream) is applied to offer you a pain-free procedure.
Q. Is there any age limit for dermal filler?
A. Not as such, but it is recommended only when your skin demands it, when wrinkles or signs of ageing appear
Q. Will it make me look unnatural after an injection?
A. Normally, it doesn’t. The treatment won’t completely change your look; it will simply diminish wrinkles and fine lines.