Facial fillers – Must knows, benefits & risks

Fillers and botox are two of the most talked about non-surgical cosmetic treatments. Because both are non-invasive, do not involve surgery of any kind, but yet can subtly or dramatically change the way you look and define your features.

While botox is used to minimize the appearances of fine lines and wrinkles, facial fillers are used to add fullness to areas that require volume. Think higher nose bridge, sharper chin or fuller lips.

But fillers can do more than just volumizing. They can also downplay your wrinkles, giving you a more youthful appearance. They can even correct depressed scars. Additionally, they are reversible, meaning if you don’t like they way they look, they can be dissolved with a quick shot.

Sounds wonderful, doesn’t it? Well, they really are. And here’s all you need to know before getting your first filler injection.

What are dermal fillers?

Dermal fillers are soft gel-like substances that are injected beneath the skin to “fill in” or “plump up” areas that have lost volume and smoothness. They not only restore volume and smoothen fine lines, they also contour and add definition to your features.

In a way, it is a very cost-effective and efficient way to enhance your looks without surgery nor downtime. And it’s a pretty safe procedure, with almost no side effects.

Popular foreign brands include Juvéderm and Restylane, and popular Korean brands include Yvoire and Elravie. Not to mention, Korean brands are of good quality and are more affordable as compared to foreign brands.

What are dermal fillers made of?

Typically, there are a few type of fillers made from different substance. Some last longer, for more than a year, while others, last 6 months to a year. They are also divided into permanent and short to mid term fillers.

Short to mid term ones include:

• Hyaluronic acid-based fillers (hyaluronic acid is found naturally in our body)
• Calcium-based fillers (natural substance found primarily in our bones)

Permanent ones include:

• Polycaprolactone or PCL-based fillers (collage-based)
• Poly-l-lactic acid-based fillers (collagen-based)
• Silicone-based fillers (but is not recommended)

Majority of the fillers used are hyaluronic acid (HA) based fillers. Because they are readily accepted by our body, is naturally absorbed by our body, and can be dissolved easily if you want to get rid of it.

Pretty sure that you have already heard of hyaluronic acid, and probably have incorporated it into your beauty routine in the form of toner and skincare serum due to its ability to give volume and hydrate our skin. Yup, its that same substance.

Dermal filler injectable areas

These fillers can be injected into pretty much anywhere on your face. And the more popular areas for treatment include:

Pros & cons of dermal fillers

To be honest, there isn’t much cons about fillers, except that their results are temporary. And that there might a little bit of bruising or swelling which goes down in a few days. Just a little though.

The most popular types of fillers chosen are hyaluronic acid-based fillers due to it ability to be readily absorbed by our body and its ability to reverse mistakes and unsatisfied results with a simple injection.

Above all, we must stress how important it is to get a qualified and skillful dermatologist or doctor for filler injections because results are very dependent on the doctor. Because only skilled doctors fully understand the characteristics of each fillers, and will know how to control the amount to inject in order to sculpt your nose to get your desired results.

Only with experienced and competent skills can then yield truly beautiful and natural results. You won’t want to have “duck lips” or end up looking puffy-faced, do you? In addition, an experienced doctor will know how to make the injections less painful too.

And as with any cosmetic procedures, there are a few risks involved. If injected wrongly, it can cause severe complications such as vascular complications such as blindness (especially for injections around your eye area), and skin necrosis. So, make sure to go for a trained and competent dermatologist or aesthetic doctor.

Also, be aware of your allergies and inform your doctor, if any. And oh, pregnant mums and breastfeeding mums, stay clear from filler until breastfeeding is over.

When can I see results from filler injections?

Results from filler injections are instantaneous, but there is usually a bit of swelling and/or bruising at the injected areas. Actual results can be seen usually after a week or so.

How long does results of dermal fillers last?

Depending on the type of fillers used, the area of treatment, and of course, your lifestyle and body’s reaction to the fillers, the results vary. They don’t last forever though, for sure. As a guide, you can expect them to last:

• Hyaluronic acid-based fillers: Results usually 1~2 years
• Collagen-based fillers: Results last from 2~4 months
• Semi-permanent fillers: Results last 12~18 months
• Permanent fillers: Results typically still visible after 2 years or more

But unless you are ready to commit to results that will be there for several years, we highly recommend hyaluronic acid-based fillers. It is in fact, the most commonly and popular type used actually due to its effective yet almost none side effects.

How long does filler procedure take?

Filler procedures typically take less than 30 mins to perform. Your dermatologist or aesthetic doctor will first apply numbing cream to the targeted areas so that it will be painless. In fact, most of the time is spent waiting for the numbing cream to take effect.

There may be a little bit of bruising and swelling at the injected areas, but don’t worry – it tends to go down in a few days. And you can immediately resume your daily activities after your filler injections.

What other non-surgical procedures complements fillers?

1. Botox

Botox can reduce the appearance of wrinkles, frown lines, laugh lines, and even contour your jaw line as well. Learn more about botox procedure, how it can make you look younger, its benefits and side effects.

Conclusion

Yours truly, filler injections are nothing but an effective way to enhance your beauty by not going under the knife. It’s the next best option after plastic surgery. And its benefits go way beyond just aesthetics.

Hyaluronic acid-based fillers are great for first-timers, no actually, for all who are looking to do filler injections. Because they give immediate results, with very few risks, and very little recovery time. And because they are readily accepted by our body and if, only if, you do walk out of an appointment with a look you don’t like, they are easy to reverse.

And most importantly, filler results are very dependent on the dermatologist or doctor you choose. I the hands of unskilled doctors, blotched jobs can shock the blood vessels which can need to skin necrosis.

So, make sure to get a reliable and skillful doctor or dermatologist who knows how to best enhance your features with the correct fillers, and you will definitely be walking out of the appointment with a big smile on your face!