Dermal fillers have fast become the new fountain of youth. They embrace a highly practical and entirely natural method to the treatment of wrinkles and aging lines on the face.
Fast gaining traction as the gold standard for cosmetic correction of ageing – and temporary reversal of the process – the growing interest around these dermal fillers is quite understandable.
How does Botox (Botulinum Toxin) fight wrinkles?
Botox attacks the muscles that contract to form wrinkles, weakening them temporarily so that they cannot make such movements again. This puts such muscles in a sort of frozen state for as long as the injections lasts, making it less possible for them to wrinkle even more.
What started as an injection for muscular conditions has now found wide application in the cosmetics industry. In fact, Botox accounts for 90% of all treatments targeting the upper face area.
Can Botox prevent wrinkles?
In some cases, Botox is applied to prevent the formation of wrinkles at all. However, the effectiveness of the injection cannot be gauged since there is no metric to measure it against.
It is advisable to refrain from getting these injections till the wrinkles start to appear.
How do dermal fillers work? How different are they from Botox?
When people get older, they lose more elastin and collagen – collectively responsible for the plumpness and stretchiness of their skins. That will cause the skin to fall, leading to the appearance of wrinkles and aging lines.
Dermal fillers come with hyaluronic acid which naturally restores the fat and protein to the skin, eliminating wrinkles in the process. On the other hand, Botox prevents the movement of muscles that cause wrinkling in the first place.
It is recommended to use Botox in the upper part of the face (forehead and around the eyes) since they are usually subject to more movement. Dermal fillers, on the other hand, are better suited for the lower part of the face.
How long does it take dermal fillers to work?
The effects of dermal fillers are almost, if not totally, immediate. It can, however, take a couple of days for the full effects to settle into place.
In fact, it is not surprising to see many patients amazed at how good they look just one or two days after they got their first injection.
How long will Juvéderm and Restylane last?
On the average, these injections will last anywhere between 4 to 6 months. The timeframe might be longer for some and in other cases, shorter.
In most cases, it would be dependent on the area being treated, the skin type of the patient and the injection technique. On the other hand, the Juvéderm Ultra Plus is a thicker dermal filler and can last as long as 9 months after the first injection.
Do cosmetic injections cause side effects?
As with any other medication, some people may experience side effects after injection.
With dermal fillers, the side effects are almost instant and are always temporary. They will usually clear up within the first two days – after which you should go see your doctor if the effects persist.
The ideal thing would be to discuss your health and possible side effects with the health practitioner before you go in for a procedure in the first place.
What are the possible side effects of dermal fillers?
People who have had treatment of cold sores around the mouth (due to facial herpes simplex) might trigger a fresh outbreak when they use dermal fillers. To combat this, make sure you have the oral tablets Valtrex, Famvir or Acyclovir.
Who should NOT use dermal fillers?
Generally, injections should be avoided when you are pregnant or breastfeeding – unless it is intended for childcare. That means you shouldn’t undergo the procedure if you find yourself in any of the mentioned states.
How much do fillers cost?
Restylane and Juvéderm are sold on a syringe basis. One syringe of these two will range between $450 – $600. Juvéderm Ultra Plus – which is the thicker version of the fillers – costs more at a price range of $500 – $750 per syringe. But at Foxy Fillers you can save a fortune.
Do I need to repeat treatments?
Depending on a variety of factors, the patient would need to repeat the treatment between 1 – 4 times every year. Such factors are the type of filler used, the area of interest and the patient’s body chemistry.
A trained provider should be able to give an estimate of how many touch-ups you will be needing within the course of the year after your first injection.
Are patients usually pleased with the results they get?
For the most part, yes. The pleasure is usually from looking better just one or two days after getting their injections.
Know that you will not get a facelift from subscribing to Botox or dermal fillers. They are a great alternative if you don’t want to go under the knife, but provide different results.
Again, have detailed discussions with your doctor to know just what to expect before undergoing the procedure.
Are there newer treatments on the market?
The FDA approved a solution called Kybella ® in 2005.
This injection is aimed at reducing and eliminating fat in the neck area without the need for surgery. The only downside of this process is that it would take some time for the effects to materialise.
Putting that in context, the patient would have to take about 2 – 3 injections for about 4 -8 weeks.
It will also work best for people with mild/ moderate fullness and skin laxity. For skin types that are already too loose, the injection loses its effectiveness.
