Dermal Fillers
What are fillers?
Dermal fillers are injectable materials which are widely used in the field of aesthetic dermatology. The fillers mainly contain hyaluronic acid which is a mucopolysaccharide and a main part of many tissues in our body, including the human skin. With aging and under the influence of many factors the concentration of hyaluronic acid, collagen and elastin decreases which gives the face an aged and tired look.
Except recovering the normal hydrobalance of the skin, the hyaluronic acid stimulates the fibroblasts so that they can produce their own collagen. The hyaluronic acid hydrates the skin thanks to its ability to bind water mollecules in the skin. The hyaluronic acid also gives the skin a young and smooth look and it increases the skin’s elasticity.
What are dermal fillers used for
The injection of dermal fillers is the most popular non-surgical method in the field of aesthetic facial corrections. The main priorities are wrinkle filling, modulating and lifting of the soft tissues of the face:
- Filling deep wrinkles in the temporal and forehead areas
- Eyebrow lifting
- Correction of tear trough deformity
- The 8–point lift by Dr Mauricio De Maio
- Modulating the cheekbones and cheek lifting
- Filling nasolabial folds
- Non-surgical nose job
- Smoothing smoking wrinkles and marionette lines periorally
- Increasing the volume and contouring the lips
- Modulating the chin
- Improving the contour of the lower jaw area
- Correction of asymmetrical areas in different parts of the face
- Correction of scars, including acne scars
About the procedure and what to expect after it
Before the procedure there is a consultative examination on which the patient will be fully informed about the specifics of the procedure. The nature of the patient’s problem will be assessed together with the possible ways of treatment, expected results, behavior after the procedure. A follow-up consultation will also be made in order to track and make an additional correction if needed. In order to achieve the desired result there may be a combination of different fillers plus a laser procedure and a radiofrequency therapy or other types of manipulations that use injections such as Botox, mesotherapy, skinboosters.
This procedure is entirely done by injections and the depth of the injection depends entirely on the treated area, the desired result and the type of filler. Most of the fillers contain a local anesthetic which makes the injections in different areas of the face pain-free. Because of their high sensitivity the lips are treated after applying a topical anesthetic cream. After the procedure patients can go back to their normal daily routine.
The effect is visible immediately after the procedure, the final result, however, is expected around the 14th day of the procedure. Patients are advised to drink more water because the hyaluronic acid binds the water molecules in its composition. After the procedure swelling and red spots may appear in the injected areas but they will subside after 2 or 3 days.
