Why You Should Get Dermal Fillers

Cosmetic treatments mostly aim to bring or maintain the youthful appearance of those who undergo them. With all the possible risks and costs that may be associated with them, it can be quite hard to decide if a cosmetic procedure is for you or not.

So why should you get dermal fillers? There are countless reasons why you should get dermal fillers. These include dermal filler injections being FDA-approved, being best for facial rejuvenation, being safe and effective, being painless, and having specific pre and post-care instructions to avoid complications.

Dermal Fillers are FDA-Approved

As stated on their website, the use of dermal fillers is approved by the US FDA for adults aged 22 years and above for facial injections. Specifically, they approved the use of these cosmetic filler injections in these situations:

• A semi-permanent filler is approved for use by the US FDA when it's for severe facial wrinkles and skin folds. Examples of these skin folds include nasolabial folds (or the lines from the side of the nose to the edges of the mouth) and perioral lines (small wrinkles surrounding the mouth and lips);
• Augmentation or making your lips, cheeks, chin, and the back of the hand appear fuller is also approved;
• Permanent fillers may only be used for nasolabial folds and scarring left by acne on the cheeks;
• To help improve the appearance of people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) who experienced signs of fat loss on the face (facial lipoatrophy);
• To correct facial imperfections like facial wrinkles and acne scars.

Dermal Fillers are Best for Facial Rejuvenation

Facial aging is usually characterized by volume loss due to a reduction in skin thickness and elasticity, fat absorption, and breakdown of the bones in the face. Sagging is also seen in facial aging, brought by a decreased adherence between the skin and subcutaneous tissue, and changes in muscle composition.

Through the US FDA-approved products to be used as injectable fillers, the appearance of aging skin may be improved through facial contouring and augmentation of areas usually affected by these skin changes associated with facial aging such as the sides of the mouth and lips. 

1) Injectable Fillers Containing Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) Beads

Facial fillers using PMMA beads like Bellafill are the only permanent filler approved for use by the US FDA. This type of filler is characterized by PMMA beads which are non-absorbable tiny round plastic particles suspended in bovine collagen which contains 0.3% lidocaine, an anesthetic agent.

It induces fibroplasia or the production of an additional extracellular matrix through collagen formation. It ultimately shows as volume addition to target deeper folds and skin wrinkling, especially because it's instructed to be injected into the immediate subdermis or the deepest level of the dermis.

2) Calcium Hydroxyapatite

Calcium hydroxyapatite (CaHA) is an FDA-approved material used for improving the appearance of lipoatrophy in people living with HIV and improving folds and facial wrinkles in patients with fully functional immune systems. 

It’s less likely to induce an allergic reaction unlike Bellafill, and thus doesn't require a skin test prior to use. It's appropriate for use in the midface and the lower face, with results lasting at least 12 months.

3) Poly-L-Lactic Acid

Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) is the first approved filler for use on the lipoatrophy of people living with HIV. In immune-competent individuals, it's also approved to improve facial wrinkles. It works by stimulating fibroblast production, leading to an increase in collagen formation.

Injection of PLLA is done above the subcutaneous fat or deep in the supraperiosteal area, or the area above the periosteum which is the covering of the bones. Techniques that may be employed include fanning and cross-hatching if it's a subcutaneous injection and depot if it's a submuscular injection.

This absorbable filler lasts for at least 2 years and with high patient satisfaction.

4) Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid fillers (HA) are currently the most commonly used type of filler in the North Americas. It's approved for use in correcting severe facial wrinkles, folds, and as submucosal implants for lip augmentation. It's a natural substance commonly found in the body.

An HA filler is considered a gel-like substance because it's characterized by solid particles suspended in a fluid phase. It may be biphasic which has average size particles or monophasic which has different gel particle sizes. It can easily be removed upon injecting hyaluronidase, an enzyme that catalyzes the dissolution of hyaluronic acid.

Dermal Fillers are Safe and Effective 

Potential risks associated with dermal fillers are mild, can be managed by home remedies like ice packs, and can go away on their own. Such side effects include:

• mild bruising
• mild redness
• temporary swelling
• pain in the injection site
• tenderness of the area
• itchy skin
• rashes

Newer technologies are being discovered to optimize the dermal fillers and induce a reduction in complications associated with them, which warrants plastic surgeons and dermatologists to be constantly updated on the newer techniques and products available in the market.

Dermal Fillers are Painless

Dermal filler injection is a generally painless procedure because the health care professional doing the procedure uses different techniques to numb the pain, especially in areas sensitive to pain like the lip area. Typical techniques employed by these healthcare professionals include:

• Topical anesthetics - Topical anesthetics include a combination of agents like betacaine, lidocaine, and tetracaine that are massaged in the area to be placed with facial fillers.
• Icing - Some patients may prefer the use of ice packs to medicated anesthetics. The patient will be instructed to hold the ice pack to the area for 1 to 2 minutes to numb the area without a resulting burn, although some pain may still be felt unlike in medicated anesthetics. It can also be used to reduce bruising and swelling after the treatment.
• Topical refrigerant spray - Topical refrigerant sprays are made of dichlorotetrafluoroethane and ethyl chloride. It's applied to the treatment area 30 to 60 seconds before application, effectively numbing superficial pains although deeper pains may still be felt. It's used in the cheek and nasolabial folds.

• Local nerve blocks - Common choices for local nerve blocks include lidocaine with or without epinephrine, although a burning sensation may be felt because this anesthetic agent is acidic despite the use with a topical intraoral anesthetic. However, this is a necessary procedure to be done especially for lip fillers. 

Post-Care Tips for Dermal Fillers 

Dermal filler procedures are minimally-invasive and generally safe and normal activities may immediately be resumed after the treatment. However, certain limitations must still be observed to avoid aggravating unwanted side effects associated with this procedure. Things to avoid include the following:

• Drinking alcoholic beverages because ethanol in the alcohol may thin out the blood and cause an increased risk to bleed and swelling;
• Putting pressure on the areas where dermal filler procedures are done;
• Engaging in strenuous activity for at least 24 hours;
• Applying makeup or other skincare products like AHA, retinol, and vitamin C for at least 24 hours;
• Undergoing other facial treatments like microdermabrasion and energy-based treatments for at least 2 weeks and without the guidance of your physician.

Should the side effects be unmanageable and you wish to remove the dermal fillers, there are also options to remove them, like injecting substances like hyaluronidase as in hyaluronic acid injections or surgical incisions.

Get High-Quality Dermal Fillers at Dr. Lanna Aesthetics

Dermal fillers are the best way to see facial rejuvenation through their hypoallergenic dermal filler products. They're painless, owing to the countless numbing techniques for this injectable treatment. They're also safe and effective as evidenced by their FDA-approved status.

At Dr. Lanna Aesthetics, you're sure to receive high-quality dermal filler treatments through under professional hands.  Our prowess in the field of aesthetics is seen in our over 10,000 successful cosmetic procedures. Experience the benefits of getting dermal fillers and contact us today at (929) 565-7539.