Dermal lip fillers provide a subtle, natural-looking way to gradually increase your looks as you mature, which can result in fine lines, wrinkles, and a loss of elasticity in the lips and other facial features. However, before considering dermal fillers for yourself, take a look at the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions to help determine if it is right for you.
What Are Dermal Fillers?
Dermal fillers are designed to function similar to the sugar molecule hyaluronic acid that occurs naturally within the body, which provides various functions, including maintaining the elasticity of the skin as well as controls cell growth and rejuvenation. In fact, some fillers, such as the Juvederm fillers, actually contain hyaluronic acid itself for more natural results.
Dermal fillers come in a soft-gel form, which when injected into the lips fills in lines, wrinkles, and other deep creases in the skin for smoother, plumper lips.
How Do Dermal Fillers Work?
As we mature, the natural hyaluronic acid in our skin begins to decrease, which can cause certain areas of the body to lose its form and mass, resulting in fine lines and wrinkles. By using a dermal filler to replenish the hyaluronic acid in these areas, it can restore volume to the skin, which can help revitalise the skin and instantly improve its appearance.
Do Dermal Fillers Stimulate Collagen?
Various studies regarding dermal fillers suggest that in addition to smoothing out grooves in the skin, such as fine lines and wrinkles, dermal fillers also encourage collagen growth in the skin and connective tissues, which results in a more revitalised, rested looking appearance.
What are the Different Dermal Fillers Types?
There are various types of dermal fillers; however, they differ in consistency, which generally determines where they are injected.
For instance, Juvederm, which is an FDA approved dermal filler, is a smoother gel that is often used for adding volume and shape to the lips. On the other hand, more granular gels, such as Restylane dermal fillers, which are also FDA approved, are more suitable for adding volume to other parts of the body because of their rougher texture.
What is Juvederm?
Juvederm is a line of approved dermal fillers that range in volumising effect. They also typically last anywhere from 9 to 12 months as opposed to other dermal fillers, which only last between 6 to 9 months.
Juvederm dermal fillers are also much softer than many other dermal filler gels, which makes them more ideal for the lips to create a softer, more natural look, and they also contain an anaesthetic for added comfort.
What Areas Can Dermal Fillers Treat?
Dermal fillers can be used just about anywhere throughout the face, including the chin, cheeks, and lips, to smooth away facial lines, wrinkles, sagging, and jowling to create fuller facial contours and lips, for a more rejuvenated look. In fact, with careful placement, dermal fillers can naturally lift the face with no need for invasive surgical procedures.
Some areas dermal fillers are often used include the lips to improve their shape and volume, in the forehead to smooth away lines, in marionette lines, which are the lines that stretch from the corner of the mouth to the chin, in nasolabial folds, which are the lines that stretch from the nose to the corner of the mouth, as well as other parts of the lower face.
Dermal fillers can also be used to give more definition to the chin and cheeks. They can also be used to change the shape of the nose without surgery, such as to create more volume in the bridge of the nose, to straighten a misaligned nose, or to give the nose a slight turn-up.
The procedure can also be used to treat scars, as well as to help increase hydration in the skin, such as the hands, decolletage, and neck, for an instant skin boost.
Are Dermal Fillers Safe?
Yes. Dermal fillers have provided successful results for many patients across the globe. Furthermore, most fillers are also biodegradable, which means they are easily absorbed by the body once they are injected; therefore, they usually dissipate in about 6 to 18 months.
However, as with any medical procedure, there are exceptions, so be sure to discuss your medical history with your specialist who can take the proper precautions to ensure your safety.
How are Dermal Fillers Injected?
During your dermal filler treatment, your specialist will insert very thin needles filled with hyaluronic gel directly behind the unwanted line or wrinkle to plump up the area. The results are seen instantly.
Are the Injections Painful?
Many patients report feeling just a bit of stinging during their treatment. However, the specialist can provide a local anaesthesia to help ease the discomfort. Furthermore, most dermal fillers also contain their own anaesthesia as an added benefit.
How Many Syringes Will I Need?
The number of syringes used during your session usually depends on the results discussed during your initial consultation. However, it is usually recommended that a patient receives no more than 2 syringes during a single visit in order to better manage the effects. If needed, patients can always receive more injections at a later date.
What Happens During a Dermal Filler Session?
You will begin with an initial consultation, which will provide the specialist with the details they need to recommend the most effective treatment for the look you are going for.
If you decide to receive the treatment, the specialist will then take your medical history as well as your facial examination into consideration. The specialist will then explain the different dermal filler options available for you as well as how you can expect to look following the treatment.
During the actual treatment visit, the dermal filler will be carefully injected into the mouth area to increase volume and smoothness in the lips. The number and depth of injections you receive will be determined by your specific needs. If needed, different dermal fillers can also be used in different areas of the face to achieve more effective results.
The procedure can take anywhere from 15 minutes up to 30 minutes, with results realised immediately.
Following the treatment, the area should be left undisturbed for the next 48 hours to allow it to balance out. This means that patients should avoid using facial products as well as facial treatments that may disturb the treatment area. You should also avoid direct sunlight for up to 3 days following the procedure.
For a few days following the treatment, it is not uncommon to experience minimal swelling along with some redness, which usually subdues after about 2 days. Some patients may also experience some discolouration in the areas that were injected.
Your specialist will also request a follow-up visit within two weeks following the treatment to assess the results.
How Soon Can I Expect Results?
The beauty of dermal fillers is they provide instant results. Furthermore, patients can only expect an improvement in these results as time passes, with the height of the results being visible within two weeks following the procedure.
How Long Do the Results Last?
Different fillers have different duration periods; however, in areas that utilise more movement, such as the lips, the filler may need to be replenished in six to 12 months. The patient’s lifestyle, age, skin condition, and skin type may also affect the duration of the filler.
What are the Side Effects?
It is not uncommon for some patients to experience tenderness and redness during the treatment, which may be followed by bruising and swelling in the injection sites after the procedure. However, these effects typically only last a few hours. Some patients may also experience allergies or other skin reactions, depending on the type of filler used.
Who Is Not a Good Candidate for Dermal Fillers?
Patients will undergo a complete assessment prior to the treatment to determine if they are a suitable candidate for dermal fillers. However, individuals who are allergic to bacterial proteins, who have severe allergies, or who have a history of severe allergic reactions to antigens, may not be suitable candidates for some fillers, such as Juvederm.
How Will I Know Which is the Right Dermal Filler for Me ?
Different dermal fillers provide different results, which means you will need to meet with a specialist to determine the best filler for your specific concerns. After your initial consultation, you will be provided with a personalised treatment plan, which may even include more than one type of filler to achieve your desired look.
Can Dermal Fillers Be Removed?
Most hyaluronic acid fillers can be quickly removed with the use of an enzyme called hyaluronidase, which immediately dissolves the filler by increasing the natural breakdown of it. However, because it is not a licensed-medicine, it is usually only recommended in severe cases.
How Do Dermal Fillers Differ From Botulinum Toxin?
Botulinum toxin is injected similarly to dermal fillers; however, unlike dermal fillers, it does not volumise and smooth wrinkles. Instead, it simply relaxes muscle movements that cause wrinkles. However, when used together, the two injections can provide the most effective results.
What are Dermal Filler Costs?
The costs associated with dermal fillers generally depend on the type of filler used as well as the number of syringes needed during your session to achieve the desired results. Your specialist will cover your costs in detail during your initial consultation.
Dermal fillers enable you to enjoy natural-looking results without altering your facial expression. Therefore, they can be used to provide subtle enhancements to the face over time. When performed properly, dermal fillers can reduce the appearance of wrinkles for smoother, more youthful skin. The results can also be seen instantly and last for several months.
For more information concerning dermal lip fillers and what they can do for you, or to schedule a consultation, feel free to contact us.
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