Dermal fillers can give you a youthful, rejuvenated appearance, with little to no downtime, and they come at a fraction of the cost of cosmetic surgery.
Also known as facial fillers or cosmetic injectables, these popular cosmetic treatments offer results that last anywhere from six months to two years, sometimes longer.
A range of products — including Juvederm®, Restylane®, Belotero®, Radiesse® and Sculptra® — can provide a smoother, younger-looking face.
What Can Dermal Fillers Do?
As we age, our faces begin to lose volume. In addition, our facial skin stretches, which makes the loss even more noticeable.
Dermal fillers, as their name suggests, work by filling in areas of lost volume around the cheeks, mouth, forehead and jawline. Injectables can:
- Plump thinning lips
- Fill shallow lines and wrinkles
- Decrease deep folds and creases
- Add fullness to the cheeks
- Improve the look of recessed scars
- Enhance the jawline
Facial fillers are temporary cosmetic treatments. One session can provide a more youthful, refreshed appearance. But for long-term results, most patients require ongoing filler injections.
What are Dermal Fillers Made From?
Cosmetic Injectables are made from several different materials:
- Collagen: A naturally occurring protein that gives our skin strength and elasticity, collagen is an ingredient in several facial fillers.
- Hyaluronic acid: A type of sugar that helps retain moisture and nutrients in the body tissues, hyaluronic acid is found in Juvederm®, Restylane® and Belotero®. Many patients prefer products which include this substance because it is naturally produced by the body already.
- Calcium hydroxylapatite: A mineral compound in our teeth and bones, calcium hydroxylapatite is an active ingredient in Radiesse®.
- Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA): A biodegradable manmade polymer that has been safely used for several decades in the medical field, PLLA is the main ingredient in Sculptra®.
Cosmetic fat injections are also commonly used as facial fillers. With these cosmetic treatments, the injected material is the patient’s own body tissue, removed through liposuction.
Which Dermal Filler Is Right for You?
Reading about dermal fillers can be helpful, but it isn’t enough to know which one is right for you.
You’ll need to speak with a qualified expert to discuss your facial rejuvenation goals as well as your general health status, current medications and any prior cosmetic treatments or surgeries you’ve had. All of that needs to be considered when deciding on a dermal filler and planning an effective course of treatment.
No single cosmetic treatment or procedure is right for everyone, and results from dermal fillers can vary significantly among patients. To determine the right approach to restoring your lost facial volume, you’ll need to consult with a professional aesthetic plastic surgeon.
Dr. Mobley and the Beauty Now team at Mobley MD Utah Facial Plastic Surgery have extensive experience with all the latest cosmetic treatments and facial plastic surgery procedures. Contact our Salt Lake City office and schedule a consultation to discuss dermal fillers today.
NOTE: The information provided here is of a general nature and is not intended to substitute for personal advice from an experienced cosmetic surgeon.