Overview | Types of dermal fillers | Questions for your doctor | Procedure steps | Costing
I understand that signs of aging that you see on your face can be disheartening. Many of my patients struggle emotionally when they notice that first wrinkle or when their facial skin starts to lose shape. This happens when we lose subcutaneous fat in our face due to aging. Fatty deposits under the eyes and along the cheeks may start to diminish, giving the face a hollow appearance.
I am here to assure you that with the right injectable dermal filler treatments, the youthful appearance of your face can be completely restored. Having treated thousands of patients with these skin woes, I have been able to help them truly look forward to plump skin with renewed volume. Dermal fillers can be used for lifting the cheeks, chin, jawline, and more for a slimmer and better look.
In this article, I will take you through some frequently asked questions on facial filler treatments, the procedural steps, results to expect, and self-care tips. Let’s jump into it.
What do facial fillers do?
Facial fillers are gel-like substances injected beneath the skin to smooth lines and soften creases, as supported by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. They are also known as wrinkle fillers, soft tissue fillers, or injectable implants. They can be used to give your temple and cheeks a fuller appearance, smoothen the wrinkles around your mouth and nose, and enhance the form of your lips. If you want to improve the overall proportionality of your face, you achieve that with the help of these fillers. They help to improve the dark circles and reduce eye bags by masking them. They are also the perfect solution for hand rejuvenation and neck rejuvenation. Additionally, they help to reduce the appearance of horizontal lines on the neck.
What can facial fillers not do?
In some cases, if your facial skin is extremely saggy or your wrinkles are too deep, then facial filler treatments cannot solve these skin troubles. But, I assure you that there are a range of other skin treatments that can get the result you desire, such a Botox, peels, microneedling, laser resurfacing, and more.
Who is the ideal candidate for facial fillers?
If you want to improve your overall appearance or fix the facial signs of aging, you are the perfect candidate for the treatment. As I have already mentioned, dermal fillers have a few limitations. Only someone with mild creases and soft wrinkles will be a good candidate. Overall, I thoroughly study each patient’s medical history, current condition, and skin needs before assessing the suitability of dermal fillers for them.
What are the different types of facial/dermal filters?
There are a few different fillers that I use according to what is best for every individual patient. Let me introduce you to the available options:
- Fat filler – The process of injecting fat into specific areas of your face to improve its features is called microlipoinjection. It is a risk-free filler because the fat used comes from your own body. I use fine needles to collect fat from other parts of the patient’s body to reinject it into the face to enhance its outlines and re-contour the skin.
- Collagen filler – Collagen dermal filler treatments have a lot of different benefits. It is a protein that can be found in animal and human bodies. Hence, it is a completely safe choice as a filler. Your facial bones, skin, and ligaments lose volume with time, but the collagen filler can help add structure to your face to restore its youthful appearance. Your facial scars and wrinkles can be fixed with this filler, too. As per the Plastic and Aesthetic Research Journal, its effect last between four to seven months.
- Hyaluronic acid filler – Hyaluronic acid is used as a filler to help your get a fuller-looking appearance. This substance can be found in human body and has a gel-like texture. The lines around your lips, forehead, and eyes can be smoothened with this filler, and it can also be used to add more volume to your cheeks. I would like to mention that your body reabsorbs Hyaluronic acid, so the results may not last for more than a year at most.
How do you select the right filler?
As there are different kinds of fillers available for treatment, it is important that the right kind is used depending on the patient’s need. I can help you determine this: the main parameters that I use are the health and condition of your skin and your skin goals. As per the National Centre for Biotechnology Information, dermal fillers can be categorized based on how long the result lasts and the source of the filler, which includes your own body or synthetic creation. Based on a detailed study of your case, I help patients select the right type of filler for a safe and effective treatment.
What is the difference between Botox and Dermal filters?
Many of my patients present me with this doubt. The use of Botox for facial filler treatments is as common as dermal fillers, but they are quite different. While dermal fillers are used to smoothen facial lines due to loss of subcutaneous fat, Botox is used to weaken or paralyze muscles. The result achieved from dermal fillers are also longer-lasting than Botox, and requires a lower number of treatments. Lastly, Botox is known for causing headache or drooping eyelids, but dermal fillers do not cause such reactions.
What important information should you share with the dermatologist?
I always do my best to ensure of the safety of my patients, but it requires some cooperation on their part as well. Do make sure to share your complete medical history with your chosen dermatologist and inform them about any health condition you may currently have. Also, if there is any medicine that you regularly take, if you have a previous history of facial treatments, or if you have any allergies, then inform them about these, too. Once the doctor has all this information, it helps them determine if facial fillers is the right treatment for you.
Which questions should you ask the doctor before the treatment?
Understandably, my patients always ask me a lot of questions regarding dermal fillers. And I encourage them to do so; the more they know the better prepared they can be. So, below are some examples of the most common ones you can ask your doctor:
- What is a dermal filler?
- What are some examples of dermal filler?
- Are dermal filler right for me?
- What does the treatment involve?
- How long will the effects last?
- Are dermal fillers safe?
- Are there any side effects?
- How is it different from Botox?
- Should I follow a particular skin-care regime post-treatment?
What is the duration of the treatment process?
The procedure does not take much time. Depending on your requirements, it can take up to half an hour per treatment site.
What are the pre-consultation steps?
Before opting for the dermal filler treatments, I suggest that you to take a few safety precautions, like:
- Don’t by the filler online
- Make sure to use an authentically labelled syringe
- Prepare yourself for the possibility of side effects
- Find out if you are allergic to any of the filler’s ingredients
- Do not forget to inform the doctor about medications you are currently using
- Only choose a certified trained injector for the treatment
I am an Allergan-certified trainer and have trained other dermatologists in the art of facial fillers. So, rest assured, your treatment is in safe hands.
What are the procedure steps?
To perform the procedure, I first assess the facial skin to determine which areas require and could benefit from dermal fillers. Once a treatment plan is charted out, I administer local anesthesia on the targeted areas to ensure comfort.
After cleaning the face with an antibacterial product, I begin injecting the dermal fillers under the facial skin using tiny needles. In between injections, I massage and monitor the progress of the treatment. Once I determine that the desired result has been achieved, I clean the treated areas to finish the procedure. Since there is no downtime required, patients can resume their daily activities almost immediately and results are almost immediate.
How many sessions are required?
Depending on the varied skin needs and patient expectations, I suggest the required number of sessions on a patient-to-patient basis. Some patients do not require more than one session for their desired result; but do remember that facial filler results are not permanent. If you need additional touch-ups, you can book your next appointment in two weeks.
Are there any risks or side effects?
You should note that the side effects of dermal filler treatments depend largely on the type of fillers used and the procedure itself, as noted by the National Health Service. While I work to ensure that your post-treatment experience is as problem-free as possible, some patients may experience redness, swelling, pain, bruising, itching, and rash on the treated areas. This has also been noted by the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. In rare cases, there can also be infection, leakage of filler, inflammatory reaction, and blood vessels injury. Do notify the doctor if you notice these.
Are there any self-care steps to be taken in future?
After the treatment, you need to take special care of your skin for a few days, as it may be more tender than usual. Invest in a good-quality sunscreen lotion if you have to go out during the day. Avoid intense exercises for at least a few days, and use an icepack on the treated areas to limit swelling. You must also avoid heat until the fillers are completely set. Lastly, I recommend not scrubbing your face harshly for a few weeks to avoid complications.
Who should avoid this treatment?
Before recommending facial filler treatments, I always make sure that you are not planning a visit to the dentist soon. The dental treatment can cause enough pressure to move the fillers. I also recommend that you delay the dermal filler treatment if you are have a sinus infection, or are pregnant or breastfeeding.
What is the cost of facial fillers?
The cost largely depends on the amount of filler you require to reach your skin goals and the type of fillers you choose. The cost can range from INR 15,000 to INR 35,000; however, this varies on a case-to-case basis.
Closing thoughts
If you are finding it too hard to accept the exhausted, unhappy, and unhealthy signs of aging on your face, let me put you at ease. Modern rejuvenation dermal filler treatments can effectively make you look younger in no time. Book a consultation with a certified dermatologist to give you face a fuller look today!
References
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/cosmetic-devices/dermal-fillers-soft-tissue-fillers
- National Centre for Biotechnology Information: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2840909/
- National Health Service: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cosmetic-procedures/dermal-fillers/
- Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery: https://www.joms.org/article/S0278-2391(15)00759-4/abstract
- Plastic and Aesthetic Research Journal: https://parjournal.net/article/view/1347
Dr. Batul Patel is a celebrity dermatologist and the medical director of The Bombay Skin Clinic an award winning clinic located in South Mumbai & Bandra. She is a passionate and dedicated dermatologist with expertise in all fields of dermatology, trichology and aesthetic dermatology. She has been practicing for more than a decade. Her range of expertise include emsculpt NEO, coolsculpting, fillers, acne treatment, lasers, skin rejuvenation, hair loss, hair transplant, PRP & pigmentation treatments.