What Are Dermal Fillers? Ultimate Guide to Non-Surgical Facial Rejuvenation

According to Harvard Health Publishing, there are several changes that happen to your face as you get older, but one of the most noticeable ones is fat losing volume, clumping up, and shifting downward. In addition, the skin gets loose and saggy. What’s unfortunate is that advanced signs of aging can happen to those who are still relatively young, so you may prematurely look aged and tired.

To prevent these things from happening or to erase signs of aging, many people are turning to dermal fillers. So what are dermal fillers? Here, you’ll learn what they are, as well as how they work, the benefits, and more.

What Are Dermal Fillers?

Dermal fillers are injectable treatments, and they’re designed to:

• Restore lost volume
• Smooth wrinkles
• Enhance facial contours

As we’ve explained above, as we age, the skin can become saggy and hollow. This is due to a loss of collagen, elastin, and fat.

Dermal fillers work by replenishing this lost volume. As a result, you’ll get a fuller and more youthful appearance.

These treatments are fully customizable for each patient. This means that providers can tailor appointments to address specific concerns, all without the need for surgery.

What Are Dermal Fillers Made Of?

There are a few types of dermal fillers, including:

• Calcium hydroxylapatite
• Hyaluronic acid
• Polyalkylimide
• Polyactic acid
• Polymethyl-methacrylate microspheres (PMMA)

However, the most popular option is hyaluronic acid fillers. Providers like using these fillers since they’re not only biocompatible, but they’re also reversible. These fillers can be dissolved if needed, so that makes them a safer and more flexible option.

In addition, they give patients smooth and natural-looking results. This is thanks to hyaluronic acid’s ability to attract and hold water, which can help enhance your overall skin quality.

How Dermal Filler Treatments Work

Because dermal fillers are injectables, this means that patients receive a series of small injections beneath the skin. The provider uses either a fine needle or a cannula.

Before that, though, you’d have to first go through a consultation. That way, you can make your goals clear, and the provider can determine the right filler type and placement.

As for the treatment itself, it takes between 15 and 45 minutes, depending on how many areas are being addressed. While most fillers contain a local anesthetic, the provider may still apply additional numbing cream to ensure that you’re comfortable. In any case, fillers are well tolerated and shouldn’t hurt much.

After the injection, the provider will gently massage the area to make sure that the filler is evenly distributed.

Recovery should be easy; you’ll probably experience mild swelling, redness, or bruising. These things should subside within a few days. Otherwise, you can return to normal activities immediately.

Areas of the Face Treated With Dermal Fillers

What’s great about dermal filler treatment is that it’s versatile, so it can be applied to multiple areas on the face. Here are the popular treatment areas:

• Lips: Adds volume, shape, and definition

• Cheeks: Restores fullness and creates a lifted appearance

• Nasolabial folds: Softens for a smoother look

• Under-eye area: Reduces hollowness and dark shadows for a more refreshed appearance
• Jawline and chin: Sculpts and defines the areas to improve facial balance and symmetry

As you can see, the adaptability of facial fillers allows each patient to get customized rejuvenation based on their personal needs.

Benefits of Dermal Fillers

There are several benefits you can get from dermal fillers. The main one is that you can get non-surgical enhancement, which means that you don’t need incisions or general anesthesia. As a result, there’s minimal downtime too; you can resume your daily routines right away.

In addition, results are visible almost immediately after the injections. You’ll enjoy instantly visible improvements in your appearance after a short session.

Dermal fillers are also great because they deliver natural-looking results. You can enhance your features without appearing overdone or having overly dramatic looks.

Dermal Fillers Before and After Results

When you look at facial fillers, before and after, there’s definitely a noticeable difference. Yet, it’s not jarring or unnatural either.

You can expect the following after your injections:

• Smoother skin
• Enhanced volume
• Improved facial contours

Do note that you may experience mild swelling or bruising. However, these are only temporary, and your final results should settle within a few days.

As for the longevity of results, it will depend on:

• Type of filler used
• Treatment area
• Individual metabolism

In general, hyaluronic acid fillers last between 6 and 18 months, and others may last longer. If you want to keep your desired look consistent, then consider maintenance treatments.

Are Dermal Fillers Safe?

Yes, dermal fillers are safe, especially when administered by a qualified professional. In particular, hyaluronic acid fillers are particularly safe, as the substance is naturally found in the body, which means that the risk of allergic reactions is low. Plus, these fillers can be dissolved if needed.

Of course, there are still potential risks, such as:

• Swelling
• Bruising
• Vascular occlusion (rare cases)

You should always avoid black market fillers and never DIY these treatments.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Dermal Fillers?

If you’re experiencing age-related volume loss (e.g., hollow cheeks, thinning lips, deep facial lines), then you may be a good candidate for derma fillers. Those seeking non-surgical approaches are ideal as well.

Good candidates should:

• Be in good overall health
• Be looking for subtle, temporary improvements
• Have realistic expectations

Dermal Fillers Can Rejuvenate Your Appearance

Now you know the answer to the question, “What are dermal fillers?” These are a non-surgical way for you to eliminate wrinkles and fine lines, as they can replenish lost volume.

A session can be under an hour, and you can resume your daily activities immediately after with little downtime. So as you can see, these treatments are a wonderful way to get a more youthful appearance, all without having to go under the knife.

Schedule a consultation with Dr. Valdez to learn how dermal fillers can restore facial volume and create natural, youthful results without surgery. He is a board-certified surgeon who has almost two decades of experience.