Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers help to diminish facial lines and restore volume and fullness in the face.
As we age, our faces naturally lose subcutaneous fat. The facial muscles are then working closer to the skin surface, so smile lines and crow's feet become more apparent.
The facial skin also stretches a bit, adding to this loss of facial volume. Other factors that affect the facial skin include sun exposure, heredity and lifestyle.
What dermal fillers can do
• Plump thin lips
• Enhance shallow contours
• Soften facial creases and wrinkles
• Improve the appearance of recessed scars
• Reconstruct contour deformities in the face
• Decrease or remove the shadow of the lower lids
Dermal fillers can be very helpful in those with early signs of aging, or as a value-added part of facial rejuvenation surgery.
What dermal fillers can't do
For some patients, surgery such as a facelift, brow lift or eye lift may be the best approach. Nonsurgical rejuvenation treatments, such as soft tissue fillers, cannot achieve the same results, but may help delay the time when consideration of a facelift becomes appropriate. It is important to remember that dermal fillers are temporary treatments for facial aging and that ongoing treatments will be needed for long-term results.
Who can go for dermal fillers?
You may be a good candidate for dermal fillers if you:
• Are physically healthy
• Don't smoke
• Have a positive outlook and realistic goals in mind for the improvement of your appearance
• Are committed to maintaining good skin health
For some patients, surgery such as a facelift, brow lift or eye lift may be the best approach.
What is the cost of dermal fillers?
The average cost of dermal fillers vary.
Cost is always a consideration in elective procedure or treatment. The cost of dermal filler injections may vary based on the expertise and qualifications of the person performing the treatment, the type of procedure used, time and effort the procedure or treatment requires.
Your satisfaction involves more than a fee.
When choosing a cosmetologist for dermal filler injections, remember that the surgeon's experience and your comfort with him or her are just as important as the final cost of the procedure.
The average cost of various dermal fillers varies per injection varies from 12k to 20k.Single patient may require more than one injection.
Health insurance does not cover dermal fillers, but many plastic surgeons offer patient financing plans, so be sure to ask.
Choose a professional
Although tissue augmentation with dermal fillers is a quick, in-office procedure that can produce a marked improvement in restoring facial fullness and a more youthful appearance, effective and safe use requires a physician with specialized training and a thorough understanding of facial anatomy to recommend and inject an appropriate filler. Significant complications can occur with dermal fillers, as with any medical procedure, so being treated by a board-certified plastic surgeon is essential for your safety and good outcomes.
Risk factor of dermal fillers?
The decision to use fillers is extremely personal. You will have to decide if the benefits will achieve your goals and if the risks and potential complications of dermal fillers are acceptable.
Your cosmetologist or plastic surgeon and/or staff will explain, in detail, any risks.
You will be asked to sign consent forms to ensure that you fully understand the procedure, as well as the risks and potential complications.
Severe complications from dermal fillers are uncommon. Potential risks vary depending on the specific filler used and the relative permanence of the filler substance and include:
• Acne-like skin eruptions
• Asymmetry
• Bruising, bleeding from the injection site, swelling
• Damage to the skin that results in a wound and possible scarring
• Infection at the injection site
• Lumps
• Palpability of the filler under the surface of the skin
• Skin rash with itching
• Skin redness
• Under- or over-correction of wrinkles
• Blindness
• Skin necrosis (ulceration or loss of skin from disruption of blood flow)
These risks and others will be fully discussed prior to your consent.
In some situations, it may not be possible to achieve optimal results with a single procedure. Most fillers do dissipate over time. To maintain your correction, you will need to consider repeating the injection process at intervals.
Steps of a dermal fillers
A dermal fillers procedure includes the following steps:
Step 1 – Facial assessment & mapping
If you choose to utilize packaged soft tissue fillers, the plastic surgeon, or his specially-trained nurse, will evaluate your facial appearance and skin tone and examine the areas of your face to be augmented.
Strategic points on your face may be marked as the appropriate injection sites for the filler. Photographs may be taken of the areas to be treated.
Step 2 – Cleansing & anesthetizing
The injection sites will be cleansed with an antibacterial agent.
Pain at the injection site may be ameliorated by use of a very cold instrument to chill the skin, anesthetic ointment to numb the skin or injection of local anesthesia.
While not painless, the injections are usually easily tolerated.
Step 3 – The injection
Injection usually takes only a few moments per site. The process of injecting, massaging, and evaluating the result is performed, and additional filler added as needed.
Depending on the number of areas to be treated, the whole process may be as short as 15 minutes, or as long as an hour.
Step 4 – Clean up & recovery
Once the results are deemed satisfactory, any markings will be cleansed off.
You may be offered an ice pack to reduce swelling and alleviate discomfort. Although the area may feel a bit tender for a day or two, it is usually not painful enough to require any medication.
Recovery after dermal fillers
Recovery time varies for each patient and for each type of filler injected. You can resume most activities right away, but it is generally recommended that you avoid intense physical activity for the first 24-48 hours to minimize swelling and bruising. Be sure to discuss your specific recovery plan with your physician prior to scheduling your injections.
Your initial appearance after treatment with any dermal filler may include:
• An "overfilled" appearance to treated areas
• Swelling or bruising ranging from mild to severe
• Temporary numbness or redness
• Palpable lumps or hard areas at the injection sites
• Hypersensitivity reaction that can seem like an allergic reaction with hives and swelling
Most conditions can be alleviated with topical icing and massage and will improve within a matter of hours or just a few days. Some reactions may require more aggressive treatment with medications or injections. Be sure to discuss your recovery and treatment plan with your physician.
When your own fat is the injected filler, the healing process is longer and may take a few weeks. Get more information about fat injections.
