Dermal Fillers
Many of us reach a point in our lives when we believe that it’s time to start thinking about refreshing our appearance to combat the ageing process; which by the way isn’t anything to be ashamed over. Looking after your appearance and making sure you feel comfortable in your own skin is something many people do every day and it’s a confidence booster too.
Our faces naturally lose subcutaneous fat as we age. Adding to this loss of facial volume is the facial skin stretching making crow’s feet and fine lines become more apparent. Dermal fillers are either synthetic or natural injectable products which work by restoring facial volume or combating wrinkles and lines on the face, be it lip fillers you choose or forehead fillers.
Why would one need dermal fillers?
Dermal fillers can be very helpful in treating those with early signs of aging or can add value as part of facial rejuvenation procedures. They can do the following:
- Enhance shallow contours
- Plump thin lips
- Soften facial wrinkles and creases
- Improve the appearance of recessed scars
- Reconstruct contour deformities in the face
- Remove or decrease the shadow of the lower lids
The Treatment
There are different types of dermal fillers and the most common are:
- Hyaluronic acid: Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance that’s found in the body. It can be used to reduce depressions in the skin due to injury, scars or lines and improve the skin’s contour. It can have potentially dramatic results for:
- Acne scars
- Cheek depressions
- Crow’s feet at the corner of the eyes
- Frown lines between the eyebrows
- Marionette lines at the corners of the mouth
- Redefining lip border
- Nasolabial furrows (deep smile lines that run from the side of the nose to corners of the mouth)
- Scars caused by acne, burns or wounds
- Smoker’s lines (vertical lines on the mouth)
- Calcium hydroxyapatite: This is a mineral-like compound that is naturally found in human bones. This dermal filler is known to produce natural results, doesn’t migrate and the side effects are rare. It is often used to:
- Enhance fullness of the cheeks and other facial contours
- Moderate to severe creases such as marionette lines, nasolabial folds and frown lines
- Improve volume in areas of facial wasting which can occur in HIV-positive people taking certain medication
- Polyalkylimide: This is a semi-permanent dermal filler and after injection, a thin layer of collagen forms slowly around it over the course of about a month. Large volume can be injected in a single procedure. It is used by plastic surgeons to:
- Plump thin lips
- Treat deeper wrinkles such as nasolabial folds or depressed scars
- Enhance the jawline and cheekbones and replace facial volume due to age
- Polylactic acid: This is a stimulator, synthetic dermal filler that is injected into the lower half of your face, causing the body’s own production of collagen. It is unlike other dermal fillers as it doesn’t produce immediate results. It instead stimulates the body’s own collagen production hence the results appear gradually over a period of a few months. It is used to:
- Plump thin lips
- Fill the lines caused by laughing
- Treat deep nasolabial folds
Polymethyl-methacrylate microspheres (PMMA): This is a semi-permanent dermal filler and is used to treat medium to deep wrinkles, furrows and folds. It can also be used to fill out pitted scars and augment thin lips.
Your doctor will determine with you the best type and volume of filler needed for your particular areas of concern.
During a dermal filler procedure, your doctor will evaluate your skin tone and facial appearance and examine the areas of your face to be augmented before marking the appropriate injection sites for the filler. Anesthetic ointment may be used to numb the skin or injection of local anesthesia. Sometimes a very cold instrument may be used to chill the skin. The dermal filler is then injected, massaged and the results evaluated. The whole process may take 15 minutes to one hour depending on the areas to be treated. You may be offered an ice pack to alleviate discomfort and reduce swelling.
The Recovery
Recovery varies with each patient and also depends on the type of dermal filler used. Although you can resume most activities right away, it is generally recommended to avoid intense physical activities for at least 24-48 hours so as to minimize swelling and bruising.
Who is a candidate for Dermal Fillers?
You may be the ideal candidate for dermal fillers if you:
- Are physically healthy
- Have realistic expectations
- Are committed to maintaining good skin health
The results of Dermal Fillers
The effects and results of dermal fillers are instant; you should immediately see a noticeable difference in your face after the procedure, commonly the removal of deep lines and wrinkles in the face. They can last on average between four to eight months, and some can last for years but this can vary between individuals. What’s even better is that you can have the filler injections and go about your day almost immediately, something which can differ with many other cosmetic procedures.
Benefits of Dermal Fillers
- Immediate results and no downtime
- Long-lasting effects
- Beneficial for the skin
- Subtle results
- Self-confidence builder
- Plumpness
Book a consultation with Dr Ali Razzak, leading Family Medicine Consultant and Aesthetics Expert in Dubai to know your options, cost and the next steps.
- Address The Residences at Marina Gate 1 King’s College Hospital, Dubai Marina
- Email bookings.mmc@kch.ae
- Phone +971 04 581 3222
- WhatsApp +971 50 839 5920