Dermal Fillers: What exactly are they?

Dermal fillers are a non-surgical cosmetic treatment that are primarily used to treat depressions in the skin. The skin can form depressions for various reasons although the main common causes are; wrinkles caused by ageing and scar tissue. Dermal fillers are also used across the world as a method to sculpt the face into a more youthful appearance.

Both men and women opt for dermal filler treatment and the main focus is to create a younger and more fresh faced appearance. As we get older it is a well known fact that your skin loses its smoothness. This is because the natural levels of collagen reduce with age. The consequence of this is that the skin loses its shape and level of firmness. Dermal fillers aim to solve this problem.

Here are a few examples of the use of dermal fillers:

• Lip enhancement: common aims are to achieve a greater volume or fuller appearance.
• Enhancement of cheek bones: this will give you a younger appearance.
• Cheek and chin dimples: appearance of these can be improved.
• Wrinkles and frown lines: fillers can be used to effectively ‘fill in’ the indents of wrinkles and frown lines.

What Are Dermal Fillers Made From?

When dermal fillers first entered the market they were most commonly made from collagen. This collagen was usually sourced from animals. However there were a few complications with the use of this. For example, around 3% of the population respond with an allergic reaction to collagen since it is derived from animals. Newer fillers such as Juvederm have since been invented and are now used in place materials sourced from animals. These new fillers have been designed to reduce the recovery time to a minimum.

How Do Dermal Fillers Work?

It is really very simple. The dermal filler works by effectively pumping up the treated area and levelling it off with the rest of the skin. This results any depressed areas such as wrinkles or dimples. The results are generally seen instantly and will last for around 6 months. The procedure comes with little to no pain and a very short recovery time (if any).

What Happens During Dermal Filler Treatment?

Dermal filler treatment usually doesn’t require an anaesthetic. However you will be given one in the case where you are having your lips treated. This is due to the higher sensitivity of this part of the face. The overall treatment typically takes around 30 minutes.

• The first step will be for your clinician to take a look at the areas requiring treatment. They will examine each area and make a decision on which type of filler to use. Those parts of the skin with deeper lines or dimples will require more filler than other more shallow areas.

• An extremely fine needle is then used to administer the filler into the selected area. This filler then remains in the face to add more structure and firmness to the treated area. Most people report only a slight discomfort when the dermal fillers are injected.

• If you feel any side-effects after treatment then you should let your clinician know straight away. However, most side-effect will wear off in 24 hours.

• The recovery time is most commonly not an issue at all. In most cases you can head back to work and normal activities straight away.

• You should notice an improvement in the appearance of the treated areas straight away and this will typically last for around 6-8 months.

How long does filler last and why doesn’t it last forever?

Dermal fillers have a typical longevity of 6-8 months. After this time you will need to visit your practitioner again for a top up if you want to maintain the same appearance in the treated areas. The length of time that the dermal fillers will work for varies depending on which part of the face you have had treated and there are also slight variations from person to person. For a closer prediction of the amount of time your filler will last for you should consult your practitioner.

The reason that the effects will not last for ever is because the dermal filler is slowly broken down and absorbed by the body. This effectively means that the treated area will return back to how it was prior to the treatment.

How can I find out if dermal fillers could be for me?

If you are considering joining the thousands of others opting for dermal filler treatment every day then you can do so by getting in touch with your local practitioner. Dr Dan, the Practice Principle at Bamboo Aesthetics in Cardiff will be able to advise you of the best course of treatment to give you the results that you want.

You can get in touch via our contact us page.

Alternatively, give us a quick call on: 029 2056 9769