Dermal Fillers
Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers are substances injected at varying depths within the skin and soft
tissues to fill facial imperfections such as wrinkles, creases and concave scars, as well
as to enhance the fullness, or volume and shape of facial tissue.
Temporary dermal fillers include two categories: collagen and hyaluronic acid fillers.
Collagen is a naturally occurring connective tissue component that provides strength
and structure to the skin. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance between
the skin cells that binds moisture and provides fullness. Both collagen and hyaluronic
acid injectable dermal fillers are created in a lab to mimic these natural substances.
Treatment with temporary dermal fillers can fill fine lines, wrinkles and deeper facial
folds or other depressions such as concave scars.Temporary dermal fillers can also
add volume and improve the shape of facial features such as the midface and chin.
Temporary dermal fillers can enhance the fullness of the lips and define the lip
border, or create a "Cupid's bow".
Treatment with semi-permanent or permanent dermal fillers is appropriate for deeper
facial folds or other depressions such as concave scars.
Semi-permanent dermal fillers can also add volume and improve the shape of facial
features such as the cheeks, midface and chin.
Products Available ( LINKS will be added soon)
Restylane is a hyaluronic acid filler approved by the U.S. FDA in 2004
Sculptra was approved by the U.S. FDA in 2004 to treat lipoatrophy (loss of facial
fat) as the result of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). It is commonly used offlabel in healthy individuals for cosmetic purposes. Sculptra is comprised of poly-Llactic-acid, a synthetic material similar to that used in absorbable medical sutures.
Radiesse was approved by the U.S. FDA in 2006 for cosmetic indications. It is based
on calcium microspheres suspended in a gel. The technical name for the microsphere
substance in Radiesse is calcium hydroxylapetite, a primary component of teeth and
bones.
Treatment Process
Your Injections
The area to be injected will be cleansed, commonly with alcohol swabs. A topical
anaesthetic cream, icing to the injection sites or a local anaesthetic via injection (such
as a dental block) may be used for your comfort.
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Once your treatment region in numbed, your doctor will make injections in
several locations, placing the dermal filler where correction or volume
enhancement is desired.
Your doctor may massage or manipulate the area where the filler has been
placed. The treated area may be cleansed again.
You may be given ice or cold packs to place on the treated area to minimize
swelling and bruising.
The entire treatment process may take 20 to 30 minutes or more.
After Your Injections
Your enhancement will be visible immediately after your injections. However, due to
swelling, you may look a little fuller than you might expect. This will improve rapidly
over the next few days.
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You may experience mild swelling or bruising from any type of injection. Ice
or cold packs can help to minimize swelling or discomfort.
You can generally apply make-up over the treated area immediately.
Collagen fillers may result in 2-3 days of swelling and are less likely to result
in bruising or redness.
Hyaluronic acid fillers may result in 3 to 7 days of swelling, redness and postinjection bruising.
If you have received Sculptra treatment, your results will develop over the
coming weeks. You may require 2 to 3 treatments several weeks apart to gain
the improvement you desire.
Your Results
Your results are visible immediately. However, due to swelling, you may look a little
fuller than you might expect. This will improve rapidly over the next few days.
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The improvement from hyaluronic acid fillers (Restylane, Perlane) begins to
diminish within 6 to 12 months after treatment.
The improvement from Radiesse begins to diminish within 24 months after
treatment.
The improvement from Sculptra begins to diminish within 18 to 24 months
after treatment.
If you do not repeat treatment once your results have begun to diminish, or as directed
by your doctor, your appearance will return to its pre-treatment state.
Commonly injected sites
Restylane and Perlane are FDA approved to treat mild to moderate facial creases and
signs of aging in the mid- to lower face, namely the nasolabial folds or creases that
develop from the nose to the outside corners of the mouth.
Restylane and Perlane are commonly used in facial rejuvenation: to enhance the lips
and to add volume and shape to the midface, the jawline and chin. These fillers can
also be used to improve hollows and depressions below the lower eyelid, often called
the tear trough. Although less common, dermal fillers can provide temporary
correction to a pinched or asymmetric nasal tip, or fill depressions at the nasal bridge.
Radiesse is FDA approved to treat mild to moderate facial creases in the mid- to
lower face, namely the nasolabial folds or creases that develop from the nose to the
outside corners of the mouth.
Radiesse and Sculptra have been used to improve the volume in the midface and
cheeks and to enhance the chin and jawline. In addition, semi-permanent fillers may
be used to fill concave scars, and to enhance a nasal tip.
Dermal Filler FAQs
Are dermal fillers safe?
When prescribed by a properly qualified and trained doctor and injected in an
appropriate medical setting, FDA-approved temporary dermal fillers are extremely
safe.
What are the potential risks associated with dermal fillers?
Risks include haematoma or blood pooling beneath the skin, and although rare,
infection and necrosis or skin loss is possible. An unsatisfactory outcome is also a
risk. The greatest risk occurs when dermal fillers are injected by someone who is not
properly qualified to perform injections. Semi-permanent and permanent fillers may
carry a risk of clumping (the particles form a granuloma or lump that can be felt or
seen beneath the skin). Particles may also migrate or displace from the injection site.
Injection of an anti-inflammatory may help to improve minor clumps or swelling.
More significant conditions of clumping or granuloma may require surgery.
Can I be allergic to dermal filler?
We only use temporary fillers that are synthetically manufactured and do not require
allergy testing as they are inert. Generally, only dermal fillers derived from animal
sources have a risk of allergy.
What if I don't like my results?
One advantage of most injectable treatments is that they are temporary. If you don't
like the results they will diminish in time. A hyaluronic acid based filler like
Restylane and Perlane can be more rapidly diminished (in weeks rather than months)
with the injection of a substance called hyaluronodase in the treatment region.
Will I be able to feel the filler once injected into my skin?
In the first few days after injection, the treated area may feel a little firm; however,
this should rapidly improve. In general, dermal filler should not be felt under the skin.
Are there cheaper alternatives to brand name dermal fillers?
No.