What Is DERMAL FILLER?

People choose to get dermal fillers to enhance their facial features or gain a more youthful appearance. This elective treatment usually takes less than half an hour, and recovery time is minimal. Results are seen right away and last months to years depending on the type of filler and the location.

There are several kinds of dermal fillers. Your healthcare provider will discuss your options with you. As with any cosmetic procedure, there are risks, including infection, bleeding and bruising. Health insurance plans generally don’t cover elective cosmetic procedures such as filler injections.

What are the types of dermal fillers?

There are many types of dermal fillers. In addition to “off-the-shelf” fillers that use synthetic (manmade materials) and substances that naturally occur in your body, healthcare providers can use fat from your own body. Healthcare providers call this procedure “autologous fat grafting,” where they remove fat from one part of your body and inject it into your face.

The types of off-the-shelf fillers include:

• Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a naturally occurring acid in your skin. It gives your skin volume and keeps it hydrated. With age, your body stops making hyaluronic acid. Results from HA injections usually last six months to a year. Restylane® or Juvederm®, Revanesse® is a commonly used type of HA filler.

• Calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) is a type of filler that consists of a substance you have in your bones. Results from these fillers typically last around a year. It usually use CaHA fillers for deeper wrinkles. Examples of CaHA fillers include Radiesse®.

• Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) is a substance that helps your body create its own collagen. It usually uses poly-L-lactic acid to smooth deep wrinkles on your face. The results can last two years or more. Types of PLLA fillers include Sculptra®.

• Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) fillers consist of collagen and very small balls that stay under your skin after been injected. The balls give your skin volume and keep it firm. Bellafill® is one type of PMMA filler.

What happens before a dermal filler procedure?

Before you get dermal fillers, you’ll have a consultation. We’ll examine your face and ask about your goals and what areas you’d like to enhance.

We may mark your face with a pen or marker to show where the injections will be. They may also take pictures of your face.

During this consultation, we will also ask about your medical history. It’s important to tell us if you’re taking any medications, as some drugs can increase the risk of complications after getting fillers.

Tell us if you have:

• Allergies.
• History of bruising or bleeding after similar procedures.
• Neurological problems.
• Skin conditions.

What happens during a dermal filler procedure?

We clean your skin and may apply a lotion or cream with an anesthetic. The anesthetic numbs the area so the treatment will be more comfortable.

Using a thin needle, we inject small amounts of fillers under your skin. The needle will pinch or sting, but most people don’t experience much pain during these injections. We may inject the fillers in several areas. The whole process can take a few minutes or up to an hour.

What happens after a dermal filler procedure?

After receiving dermal filler injections, we will cleanse your skin. We may give you an ice pack to ease pain and swelling.

You may have bruises, swelling or discomfort after getting the injections. Usually, these side effects are mild and go away in a few days.

Many people see results right away after getting these injections. But everyone’s results are different. How long it takes to see results (and how long they last) depends on several factors.