Dermal fillers are gel-like substances injected beneath the skin to restore lost volume, smooth lines, and soften creases or enhance facial contours. Every year, millions of men and women choose this popular facial rejuvenation treatment, which can be a cost-effective way to look younger without surgery or downtime.
Botox is entirely different from dermal filler. It is a neurotoxin, a substance that weakens nerves in muscles so they cannot form a wrinkle. Botox is generally used on the forehead, frown, crow’s feet (outer eye) and chin for dimpling (peau d’orange). But...together, dermal fillers and Botox are a wonderful pairing!
Did you know that many visible signs of aging can be traced back to volume loss? As facial tissues thin out, lines become etched around the nose and mouth, and cheeks look a little hollow. Dermal fillers can replace lost volume to help smooth wrinkles, plump the lips, and restore a youthful appearance.
Let's Learn More About Dermal Fillers!
Why use Dermal Fillers?
Lift facial expression and hydrate leathery skin appearance while creating a more youthful look. Dermal filler smoothes out lines and wrinkles, restores and adds volume, shapes and contours facial features and hydrates the epidermis, dermis, and deeper skin tissues.
Dermal filler replenishes our natural hyaluronic acid, which depletes as we age, causing a leathery appearance to the skin. The best thing about dermal filler is immediate, precise and natural-looking results.
What are Dermal Fillers made of?
There are a variety of FDA-approved filler products that cosmetic surgeons use. In general, fillers are categorized by the substance they are made from, such as hyaluronic acid, calcium hydroxylapatite, poly-L-lactic acid, polymethylmethacrylate and autologous fat injections (facial fat grafting). A note for safety: always ensure that you receive FDA-approved, brand-name fillers, which are only available through a licensed physician. Dr Terrie uses a hyaluronic-based dermal filler for the following reasons:
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a naturally occurring substance found in your skin.
It helps keep skin plump and hydrated.
HA fillers are typically soft and gel-like. The results are temporary, lasting 6-12 months, though sometimes longer, before the body gradually and naturally absorbs and breaks down the particles. Most HA fillers are infused with lidocaine to help minimize discomfort during and after treatment.
FDA-approved HA fillers include:
Revanesse
Juvederm
Restylane
Belotero
The RHA Collection
Dr Terrie's favourite dermal filler line is Revanesse, as it uses the most advanced technology with small spherical, same-sized molecules and is a Canadian company. This product ensures soft, natural-looking, lifted and enhanced facial features.
Is there anything else Dermal Fillers can do for an aging face?
Dermal fillers can do much more than smooth out wrinkles, which they are excellent at doing. They can smooth out lines around the nose and mouth (laugh lines, marionette lines and parentheses). Fillers can enhance and restore volume to sunken cheeks and temples. They can diminish vertical lip lines and plump and enhance the lips. Fillers can fill in the chin crease and improve the symmetry of the face. Dermal fillers can enhance and define cheekbones, chins and jawlines.
What to Expect During a Dermal Filler Treatment?
Dermal filler injections are non-surgical and typically completed during an office visit. Your initial treatment will begin with a consultation, during which you will meet with your licensed practitioner to discuss your concerns and goals.
Pre-Treatment Consultation
During your consultation, your licensed practitioner will evaluate your area of concern and review your medical history. While the risks associated with dermal fillers are minimal, you must fully disclose your medical history before treatment, as specific allergies, skin and neurological conditions, or medications can jeopardize your safety or results. For instance, you need to tell your practitioner if you have been taking NSAIDs (e.g., aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen) or blood thinners, as these increase the likelihood of bruising.
During your dermal filler treatment
Before the treatment, the area will be cleaned, and you may be given a topical anesthetic to numb the area before injection.
Many filler products also contain lidocaine, a mild anesthetic intended to help minimize discomfort during and after your treatment. Your provider will inject a precise amount of filler strategically beneath the skin.
Depending on the product and the areas treated, you should be able to notice results immediately after receiving filler injections. Some patients experience mild bruising and swelling, but these are temporary and should subside in the days following treatment. You can return to your normal activities after treatment, but your practitioner may ask you to take the day off from exercise or other strenuous activities.
How to minimize bruising?
If you are prone to bruising or want to avoid it as much as possible, I recommend stopping all blood thinning agents three days prior to your injections. Blood thinning agents include Aspirin, Tylenol, Ibuprofen, Naproxen and other NSAIDs, blood thinning drugs, turmeric, ginger, garlic, cayenne pepper, vitamin E, cinnamon, ginkgo, grape seed extract, dong quai, feverfew, bromelain, aloe (internal), evening primrose, melatonin, omega-3 oil and alcohol. Also recommended is starting taking higher doses of Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) daily leading up to, on the day of and following your treatment.
To discuss any of the above with Dr Terrie Van Alstyne, visit our BOOK NOW page.