The 411 on Fillers

As you get older, you may notice that your skin starts to sag, you get more wrinkles, and the folds on your face become more noticeable. These factors can contribute to an aged appearance that often makes people feel self-conscious. People often try to find ways to improve their appearance and regain a youthful, radiant appearance.

Dermal fillers are an excellent way to reduce sagging, relax wrinkles and soften fine lines and folds. Learn more about what fillers are and how they can help you reclaim your youth.

What Are Fillers?

Dermal fillers are soft, injectable gels used to improve the aesthetic appearance of the skin and face. The substance is injected under the skin during a non-invasive procedure to achieve a sculpted and youthful look. As we age, our skin begins to stretch out, but other factors can contribute to the loss of facial volume, such as UV exposure and lifestyle choices.

Dermal fillers use a natural or synthetic substance to achieve or maintain a youthful appearance. Fillers can bring long-term effects but are not permanent, meaning multiple treatments are likely for long-term results.

Dermal fillers don’t affect or warp your facial expressions and create a natural, youthful appearance. Dermal fillers can treat fine lines, smiles and laugh lines, skin sagging and acne. Fillers can also bring volume back to the skin and plump the lips.

Professionals use fillers are a simple way to improve the appearance of the face, and you can see the results of a single treatment almost instantly. With dermal fillers, you can subtly control your appearance as you age.

Comparing Different Types of Fillers

Before you get any dermal fillers, you should ensure that you work with a professional who uses brand-name fillers approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These dermal fillers have undergone rigorous testing and are safe to inject under the skin’s surface. Some brand-name fillers include:

  • Juvederm Voluma XC
  • Juvederm Ultra XC
  • Juvederm Volbella XC
  • Restylane-L
  • Restylane-Lyft
  • Restylane Silk
  • Restylane Refyne
  • Restylane Defyne
  • Sculptra

Each of these fillers contains a substance that improves the aesthetic appearance of the face and skin. A professional will administer a specific type of filler depending on your individual needs. Below, we’ll compare the different types of fillers often used by physicians:

Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid is a substance that is found naturally in the body. Your body produces this substance to help you retain moisture and hydrate the skin. Hyaluronic acid also helps lubricate different moving parts of the body, such as your joints. It also protects you from pollutants and other free radicals.

Since this substance occurs naturally, it’s ideal for any skin type. Fillers containing hyaluronic acid are often soft and gel-like. When injected under the skin, these fillers help reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles, creating a radiant and youthful appearance. The hyaluronic acid filler treatment results can last between 6 and 12 months. Many of these fillers contain lidocaine, a numbing substance that helps reduce discomfort or pain during the injection and while in recovery.

Poly-L-Lactic Acid (PPLA)

PPLA is a synthetic substance that’s biodegradable and biocompatible, meaning it’s not harmful to the environment or your body. PPLA fillers help boost collagen production, helping smooth fine lines on the face and build volume. These fillers can also help reduce the appearance of severe lines, folds or wrinkles.

Once a professional administers PPLA filters, the substance will dissolve under the skin within a few days. The goal is to stimulate the natural production of collagen to see improvements in the skin. The effects of this filler will start to appear over a few months and will last for about two years.

Which Filler Do I Need?

The filler you need will depend on what you’re trying to improve, whether sagging skin, wrinkles or volumizing the lips. Every filler will have a different effect, so why you’re looking for treatment matters. Below, we’ll guide you through what type of filler is best for your concerns:

  • Sagging skin and wrinkles: As we age, our face loses some fat, causing sagging skin and a sunken appearance. You may also notice wrinkles. You’ll want to use a filler that lifts the skin, plumps the face, provides structure and smooths wrinkles. Popular fillers for this concern include Juvederm Voluma XC, Radiesse and Sculptra.
  • Deep folds: The nasolabial folds run deep as we age, creating a sunken appearance around the nose and mouth. Fillers that are soft yet durable can help improve the appearance of these folds. Filler brands that are best for improving the appearance of folds include Sculptra and Belotero.
  • Smile or laugh lines: If you smile or laugh a lot, you’ve likely noticed lines leftover from these happy times. These lines appear as creases around the mouth and chin. You’ll need a flexible filler since this area of the face moves every time you make a facial expression. Try brands such as Juvederm Ultra XC.
  • Fine lines: Fine lines will appear across the face as you age. Fillers that plump the face can help improve the appearance of these lines and reduce the appearance of aging. Fillers that can help reduce the appearance of fine lines include Juvéderm Ultra XC and Juvederm Volbella XC.
  • Fuller lips: Fillers can be used to increase the volume of the lips, creating a plump appearance. The goal is to improve the shape and definition of your lips. Dermal fillers often used as lip fillers include Juvederm Volbella XC and Vollure XC.

If you’re uncertain what type of filler you need, you can always consult with a professional.

What to Expect During Treatment

If you’re considering dermal fillers, you’ll want to ensure that you’re a good candidate for treatment. Good candidates are in good physical health, don’t smoke and are committed to improving the health of their skin. Here’s what you can expect when you start dermal filler treatment:

  • Consultation: You’ll speak to a physician about your concerns, and they’ll guide you towards the correct type of filler. You’ll also discuss your medical history, previous treatments, desired results, expected outcomes and potential risks. During your consultation, ensure you ask plenty of questions to understand the procedure deeper.
  • Before the procedure: A medical professional will examine your skin and determine the best injection points before the injection. Your physician may also take photos. Right before the treatment, the professional will sanitize the injection site. To reduce pain and discomfort, you may also have numbing ointment applied to the injection site.
  • During the procedure: Injections only take a couple of minutes at each location, if not less. Once the dermal fillers have been injected, your physician will massage and analyze the area to ensure you’re getting the best results. Treatment can take between 15 to 60 minutes, depending on your treatment plan.
  • After the procedure: Once the professional has administered the injections, they’ll clean your face of any leftover markings. You can use ice to assist with swelling. You may feel slightly sore for a few days, but you likely won’t need any prescription medications.
  • Recovery: After any procedure, you want to take care to speed up your recovery. You can go back to your regular activities as soon as you feel comfortable. Avoid strenuous physical activity for up to 48 hours. Your physician should go over the specifics once you’ve completed your treatment.

Trust Face Forward Aesthetics as Your Facial Solution

If you’re looking to improve the aesthetic appearance of your face and reduce the signs of aging, Face Forward Aesthetics is here to help. We offer multiple services to bring our patient’s vision of themselves to life, including wrinkle prevention and reduction, skin rejuvenation, laugh line reduction and lip filler.

Our team members are experts in the industry and are qualified to perform dermal filler injections, providing you with your dream results. Let us help you achieve your vision and book an appointment with us today.

 

About the Author
Nicole Talley, APRN-CNP

Nicole Talley is a board-certified nurse practitioner as well as a certified aesthetic nurse practitioner. She completed her BSN at the University of Kentucky and worked as a critical care nurse for 7 years. She graduated from Otterbein University with her family nurse practitioner degree in 2019. She is certified by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.  She has been with Face Forward Aesthetics since 2019.  She loves working together with patients to develop a treatment plan, providing education, witnessing their transformation, and watching their confidence flourish by the end. Outside of the office, Nicole loves to spend time with her husband, family, and friends, traveling to new places, and trying new restaurants.