What are dermal fillers?

Dermal fillers help to diminish facial lines and restore volume and fullness in the face.

As we age, our faces naturally lose subcutaneous fat. The facial muscles are then working closer to the skin surface, so smile lines and crow's feet become more apparent.

The facial skin also stretches a bit, adding to this loss of facial volume. Other factors that affect the facial skin include sun exposure, heredity and lifestyle.

What dermal fillers can do

• Plump thin lips
• Enhance shallow contours
• Soften facial creases and wrinkles
• Improve the appearance of recessed scars
• Reconstruct contour deformities in the face
• Decrease or remove the shadow of the lower lids

Dermal fillers can be very helpful in those with early signs of aging, or as a value-added part of facial rejuvenation surgery.

Who is a good candidate for dermal fillers?

You may be a good candidate for dermal fillers if you:

• Are physically healthy
• Don't smoke
• Have a positive outlook and realistic goals in mind for the improvement of your appearance
• Are committed to maintaining good skin health

What should I expect during a consultation for dermal fillers?

During your dermal fillers consultation be prepared to discuss:

• Your goals
• Medical conditions, drug allergies, and medical treatments
• Current medications, vitamins, herbal supplements, alcohol, tobacco and drug use
• Any past treatment with soft tissue fillers, botulinum toxin therapy, laser or other minimally invasive facial procedures, as well as any prior facial surgery

Your physician may also:

• Evaluate your general health status and any pre-existing health conditions or risk factors
• Discuss your available options
• Examine and measure your face
• Take photographs
• Recommend a course of treatment
• Discuss likely outcomes of using soft tissue fillers and any risks or potential complications

Your physician will carefully explain:

• Your course of treatment
• The type of filler recommended in your case and why
• Expected results
• The longevity of the result

What are the risks of dermal fillers?

The decision to use fillers is extremely personal. You will have to decide if the benefits will achieve your goals and if the risks and potential complications of dermal fillers are acceptable.

Your physcian and/or staff will explain, in detail, any risks.

You will be asked to sign consent forms to ensure that you fully understand the procedure, as well as the risks and potential complications.

Severe complications from dermal fillers are uncommon. Potential risks vary depending on the specific filler used and the relative permanence of the filler substance

In some situations, it may not be possible to achieve optimal results with a single procedure. Most fillers do dissipate over time. To maintain your correction, you will need to consider repeating the injection process at intervals.

What are the steps of a dermal fillers procedure?

A dermal fillers procedure includes the following steps:

Step 1 – Facial assessment & mapping

If you choose to utilize packaged soft tissue fillers, the plastic surgeon, or his specially-trained nurse, will evaluate your facial appearance and skin tone and examine the areas of your face to be augmented.

Strategic points on your face may be marked as the appropriate injection sites for the filler. Photographs may be taken of the areas to be treated.

Step 2 – Cleansing & anesthetizing

The injection sites will be cleansed with an antibacterial agent.

Pain at the injection site may be ameliorated by use of a very cold instrument to chill the skin, anesthetic ointment to numb the skin or injection of local anesthesia.

While not painless, the injections are usually easily tolerated.

Step 3 – The injection

Injection usually takes only a few moments per site. The process of injecting, massaging, and evaluating the result is performed, and additional filler added as needed.

Depending on the number of areas to be treated, the whole process may be as short as 15 minutes, or as long as an hour.

Step 4 – Clean up & recovery

Once the results are deemed satisfactory, any markings will be cleansed off.

You may be offered an ice pack to reduce swelling and alleviate discomfort. Although the area may feel a bit tender for a day or two, it is usually not painful enough to require any medication.

What should I expect during my dermal fillers recovery?

Recovery time varies for each patient and for each type of filler injected. You can resume most activities right away, but it is generally recommended that you avoid intense physical activity for the first 24-48 hours to minimize swelling and bruising. Be sure to discuss your specific recovery plan with your physician prior to scheduling your injections.

Your initial appearance after treatment with any dermal filler may include:

• An "overfilled" appearance to treated areas
• Swelling or bruising ranging from mild to severe
• Temporary numbness or redness
• Palpable lumps or hard areas at the injection sites
• Hypersensitivity reaction that can seem like an allergic reaction with hives and swelling

Most conditions can be alleviated with topical icing and massage and will improve within a matter of hours or just a few days. Some reactions may require more aggressive treatment with medications or injections.

Although not common, visual disturbances may occur. When accompanied by pain or weakness on one side of your body, it is extremely important that you contact your surgeon and receive care immediately.

When your own fat is the injected filler, the healing process is longer and may take a few weeks. Get more information about fat injections.

What results should I expect after dermal fillers?

The results of soft tissue augmentation using dermal fillers are apparent immediately and will last from several months to several years depending on the filler used and the patient injected. Maintaining good overall health and maintaining healthy and strong skin with appropriate products and skin treatments will improve the results and longevity.