With all the information circulating on the internet about injectable products used in aesthetic medicine, it is sometimes difficult to sort out the real from the fake. Here is everything you need to know about the most commonly used fillers in the world, those made from hyaluronic acid, a natural molecule already present in our body.
GOAL
The purpose of hyaluronic acid fillers is to restore firmness to areas of the face that have lost volume with age, to correct asymmetry or to better define an area of the face that lacks definition. When filler injections are performed according to the rules of the art, they do not distort the patient’s physiognomy. On the contrary, thanks to advanced injection techniques, we are able to enhance patients’ natural features and maintain their physiognomy so that it does not deteriorate with age. As the years go by, we all lose collagen, elastin, bone mass and firmness in the facial structures at different rates depending on our genetics and lifestyle, which can make our face look tired, sad or severe. The ultimate goal of fillers should be to reduce these negative features without ever changing the patient’s natural features.
AREAS THAT CAN BE TREATED
Areas that can be treated and restructured with dermal fillers include dark circles to give a more rested look, cheekbones to create a facelift effect, the jawline to better define the face and eliminate the appearance of jowls, the chin to balance the upper and lower proportions of the face, the lips to moisturize and diminish wrinkles in the perioral area, the nose to eliminate an undesirable bump, and the temples to brighten the upper face. The role of the filling agents is not only to volumize these areas but also to give them an overall lifting effect in order to improve the features.
THE PROCEDURE
A treatment with dermal fillers can take between 15 and 60 minutes, depending on the areas to be treated and the amount of product to be injected. Fillers can be injected with a needle or a cannula, depending on the area to be treated and the desired effect. There are several ranges of hyaluronic acid-based injectable products on the market, from the most fluid product to the densest product. Your treating professional will know how to choose the best product and the best technique for you depending on the thickness of your skin and the stability of the underlying structures of your face. Some areas, such as the lips, are more sensitive than others. It is therefore possible to apply an anesthetic cream before certain procedures to reduce discomfort.
SIDE EFFECTS
All medical procedures, even the least invasive, can have side effects. Injections of dermal fillers can cause swelling, redness and bruising in some cases in the injected area. It is important to remember that there are blood vessels in every area of the face. Therefore, once a needle pierces the skin, bruising is always a possibility. Some patients are more likely to develop bruises and certain areas of the face are more prone to bruising. Your treating professional can explain in detail what you should expect depending on your situation and treatment. That said, these side effects are always transient and fade within 2 to 14 days of the procedure. It is important to be transparent with your treating professional about your medical history. Other rarer side effects may occur if your treating professional has not been made aware of all your medical conditions.
TIME IT LASTS AND MAINTENANCE TREATMENTS
Fillers are not permanent but can last between 9 and 24 months depending on the injected area, the patient and the density of the injected product. It is recommended that you see your treating professional once or twice a year, if only to make a few adjustments to maintain and prolong the beneficial effects of the treatment.
