What Are Dermal Fillers: The Complete Guide

Age may come with wisdom and experience, but it also brings wrinkles, sagging skin, and facial volume loss. Not long ago the only thing we could do about it was to accept the merciless passing of time and age gracefully, but today we have dermal fillers to help us fight the signs of aging, smooth our fine lines, and replenish lost volume. Here is how dermal fillers work and everything else you need to know about their benefits and most common side effects.

How do dermal fillers work?

We all experience aging differently, but when it comes to our skin, aging manifests itself similarly for everyone: facial wrinkles, sagging skin, and loss of volume. Dermal fillers are soft, gel-like substances that can be injected under the skin to remedy the impact aging has on our skin.

Dermal fillers have been created to help patients restore their youthful appearance and diminish the appearance of facial lines and wrinkles. Furthermore, certain types of dermal fillers are designed to replenish the skin's volume and create a fuller appearance.

The active substance in dermal fillers can vary but their common goal is usually collagen production and improved fullness to the face and lips. Dermal fillers are non-surgical treatments that don't involve general anesthesia. Patients who want to use a soft tissue filler may return to their normal routine immediately after the procedure.

FDA-approved uses of dermal fillers

Since dermal fillers are a popular cosmetic procedure, the black market has been invaded by a plethora of so-called fillers that claim to provide the same effects of FDA-approved dermal fillers for half the price. As often happens with things that seem too good to be true, black-market dermal fillers are not only ineffective but also dangerous. We insist on the importance of having your dermal fillers injected exclusively by a certified medical professional who uses FDA-approved substances.

The FDA has not approved the use of silicone in dermal fillers, nor the administration of dermal fillers into the breasts, buttocks, or large-scale body contouring, in general. Body enhancement based on such dermal fillers can lead to serious adverse effects and even death. The FDA is also against dermal fillers that do not involve the use of needles, as well as facial fillers sold directly to the public.

According to the FDA, dermal fillers can only be used for people aged 22 and older and only to:

• correct moderate-to-severe facial wrinkles and skin folds
• add volume and shape to lips, cheeks, chin, under-eye hollows, jawline, and back of the hand
• improve the aspect of marionette lines, frown lines, vertical lip lines, and the glabella lines
• reduce the aspect of the nasolabial folds
• improve the appearance of scars on the cheeks
• restore facial fat loss in people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

Types of dermal fillers

Each type of dermal filler contains a combination of substances that targets different aspects of the aging process. However, most popular dermal fillers include one of the following main ingredients:

Hyaluronic acid (HA) - Juvederm, Restylane

A naturally occurring substance already present in our skin, hyaluronic acid contributes to keeping our skin hydrated and plays an important role in maintaining facial volume. Hyaluronic acid dermal fillers promote collagen production and are often used to add volume to the skin's contour and reduce the appearance of fine lines, scars, or facial injuries. They can also be effective for cheek depressions, crow's feet, smile lines, frown lines, and marionette lines. Furthermore, the health care professional administering this type of dermal fillers can use them to redefine lip border and combat smoker's lines or vertical lines on the mouth. 

Calcium hydroxylapatite - Radiesse

A natural mineral and a major component of bones, calcium hydroxyapatite has been used in dentistry and reconstructive plastic surgery for a long time and has an impressive track record of safety. The substance is biosynthetically produced and requires no animal source. Since no animal products are used for this type of dermal filler, the risk of an allergic reaction is minimal, and no skin testing is necessary. Calcium hydroxylapatite can be used to reduce the appearance of nasolabial folds and frown lines, to add contour to cheeks and other facial lines, and to help HIV-positive people on certain medications combat facial volume loss. Due to its increased tolerance, this dermal filler has natural results and rare side effects.

Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) - Sculptra

Unlike the previous dermal fillers, which contain a natural substance, poly-L-lactic acid dermal fillers are based on a synthetic substance designed to increase collagen production. However, since the substance is biodegradable, the body tolerates this synthetic filler and breaks it down before eliminating it from the organism. In this case, the results are gradual, and the patient will be able to notice an improvement in volume and shape over a few months. This type of filler is a medical device used to improve the aspect of smile lines, deep nasolabial folds, and promote additional volume to the lips. The noticeable difference with this type of injectable treatment is that the result is semi-permanent, but it does require occasional touch-ups.

Results

Most dermal filler products are created to provide temporary effects, which means you need to schedule your dermal filler treatments at regular time intervals if you want to benefit from a reduced aspect of deeper wrinkles and a youthful appearance of your skin. The effects last differently depending on the type of filler used:

• A common filler, the hyaluronic acid dermal filler ensures a plump and hydrated skin for up to 12 months and is often the go-to choice for patients who want to improve the aspect of their skin fast and with minimum side effects.
• Calcium hydroxylapatite ensures results that can last up to 18 months, but dermatologists usually recommend it for deep wrinkles.
• Poly-L-lactic acid rebuilds natural collagen and helps combat dynamic wrinkles and fine lines with results that can last up to 2 years. 

While hyaluronic acid and calcium hydroxylapatite are injectable wrinkle fillers that require one session of treatment, poly-L-lactic acid needs several treatments for patients to achieve the desired results and four to six weeks to notice the full effect of the filler.

Risks

Risks are minimal with dermal fillers, but they do exist and patients should make sure to discuss their medical history with their licensed health care provider before undergoing the medical procedure. Most side effects are mild and appear soon after the procedure. These include:

• bruising
• redness
• swelling
• itching
• rash
• tenderness

It is advisable to test for allergies before the dermal filler procedure, especially if the dermal filler contains substances from an animal source, such as collagen. The more severe adverse effects may happen when the filler procedure is performed by an uncertified provider who may accidentally inject the substance into a blood vessel and cause tissue death or stroke. However, when the dermal filler is in the right hands, chances for this happening are minimal. 

The advantage of the hyaluronic acid dermal filler is that it allows both adjustment and complete removal. Patients can have additional hyaluronic acid to achieve the desired results, or simply have their health care provider dissolve it if they don't like the results.

Dermal Filler Treatments in Tampa

Prime Aesthetica is the leading medical spa in Tampa Bay. We work with the highest quality dermal filler products including Juvederm , Restylane, Radiesse, etc. We also have experienced medical professionals that will ensure your dermal filler treatment delivers optimal results and achieves your aesthetic goals. If you're in the Tampa area, contact us today to learn how we can help.