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Insecurities about a person’s body or the way they look because of their age are two of the top reasons people walk through the doors of our practice. Often, there’s some overlap between these insecurities because aging can quickly change the way someone’s skin and body looks. There are few areas of the body where this is truer than the face
Because they’re convenient, affordable, and one of the least invasive non-surgical treatments, dermal fillers are one of the most popular ways our patients choose to address signs of aging in the face. Restore volume, tighten sagging skin, and address deep signs of aging with a wide range of soft-tissue filler products.
What Are Dermal Fillers?
Many of the earliest signs of aging will appear in the face. The primary reason for this is the loss of volume, which also leads to skin laxity or sagging skin. As the skin is stretched and pulled closer to the muscles underneath, it causes all sorts of wrinkles and lines to become more visible. That’s where injectable dermal fillers come in. They can address a number of issues including the following:
- Crow’s feet
- Brow furrows
- Sagging skin under the eyes
- Marionette lines
- Cheek depressions
- Thin lips
- Prominent nasolabial folds (lines going from your nose to the corner of your lips)
Most dermal fillers are typically composed of either hyaluronic acid or polylactic acid. Both work to add volume to targeted areas of the face while helping maintain the skin’s moisture.
Types of Dermal Fillers We Offer at AW Plastic Surgery
We offer quite a few different dermal fillers at AW Plastic Surgery, but they can be divided into two different categories: poly-L-lactic acid and hyaluronic acid.
Poly-L-lactic Acid
When we need to add more collagen to boost facial volume, polylactic acid fillers are our go-to dermal filler. Poly-L-lactic acid is primarily used to treat areas in the lower third of your face where there aren’t many options other than surgery if you want fuller and smoother skin. This type of dermal filler is used to stimulate collagen production over time, achieving better results for months after your dermal filler appointment. Poly-L-lactic acid is naturally broken down and metabolized by your body and has been used for sutures in medical applications for more than 40 years.
Sculptra® Aesthetic
Sculptra stands out in the realm of anti-aging treatments due to its unique approach to restoring facial volume. Unlike immediate fillers, Sculptra® works by gradually stimulating your body’s own collagen production, offering a more natural progression of facial rejuvenation. This polylactic acid-based filler is particularly effective for deep lines, creases, and volume loss in the lower face, providing results that can last up to two years. Ideal for patients seeking subtle, yet noticeable improvements over time, Sculptra® Aesthetic enhances your facial contours with a series of treatments tailored to your individual needs.
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance found in connective tissues, cartilage, and joints. In the skin, it’s used to maintain healthy skin volume and moisture, which is what makes HA fillers so versatile as an anti-aging treatment. It can also be used to improve the appearance of acne scarring. Some of the most popular HA fillers include brand names like:
- RHA
- Restylane® (including Silk, Lyft, Refyne, and Defyne variations)
Who is a Good Candidate for Dermal Fillers?
Most patients are good candidates for dermal filler injections, but there are a few qualifications that can make you an ideal candidate for this aesthetic treatment:
- Are generally healthy
- Don’t smoke
- Have realistic goals
- Are committed to maintaining good skin health
- Aren’t pregnant or breastfeeding
The Dermal Filler Procedure
The dermal filler procedure is a relatively simple process. It will begin with the provider cleaning the injection site and using an anesthetic if necessary. From there, they will inject the dermal filler into specific areas, massage the area, and then evaluate the results. The number of injections you need will depend on the results you’re looking for.
The whole process can take anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour, depending on the number of areas you’re having treated.
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Aftercare
You’ll see some benefits of dermal fillers immediately, but the results will improve as time goes on. You may notice some redness, swelling, and tenderness after your injections, but those will diminish on their own.
As for how long the results will last, it depends on the type of dermal filler used. Results can last anywhere from six months to a few years.
Schedule A Consultation
Injectable fillers can be a safe standalone treatment to help achieve significant anti-aging results, especially when you don’t have time for surgery, or it isn’t an option. Many of our patients also add dermal fillers to a larger, multi-step facial rejuvenation plan.
If you’re ready to learn more about where dermal fillers can fit into your aesthetic goals, we’d love to have you schedule a consultation today. Call our Portsmouth, NH office, or use our online contact form.
Frequently Asked Questions about Dermal Fillers
At AW Plastic Surgery, we consider patient education to be an essential component of care in every treatment and procedure we offer. We know that knowing the hows and whys helps you feel more comfortable and make better decisions about the best treatments to meet your goals. Here, we’ll answer several of the most frequently asked questions we get from our patients when it comes to dermal fillers.
What’s the recovery like after a dermal filler appointment?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question because every patient’s healing process will be slightly different. However, for most types of soft-tissue fillers, you should be able to get back to your normal routine within a few days at most and often right away. Facial fat injections will require a slightly longer recovery period, possibly altering your normal day-to-day a little bit for a couple of weeks. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons recommends no strenuous physical activity for 24-48 hours after a dermal filler treatment.
Some other tips to keep in mind during your recovery include:
- Follow your plastic surgeon’s instructions after treatment.
- Try not to lie down for at least 3-4 hours after an injection.
- Don’t put pressure on the treatment area for at least a few hours after your appointment.
- Try to avoid being in direct sunlight as much as you can until the swelling goes down.
- Have some ice packs ready when you get home to help with any swelling and bruising.
- If you feel any pain or tenderness, it’s OK to use Tylenol.
Most patients only experience mild, temporary, manageable pain and some swelling following an injectable treatment.
How long do the results of dermal fillers last?
How long dermal filler results last is usually determined by their main ingredient and can range anywhere from about 6 months to several years. For example:
- Calcium Hydroxylapatite (CaHA): This category of dermal filler includes the popular Radiesse® line of products and is usually used to address deep lines and wrinkles. The results of CaHA fillers typically last about 12 months for most patients.
- Hyaluronic Acid (HA): Dermal fillers that use hyaluronic acid include Restylane®, and Belotero® fillers. Hyaluronic acid is a substance that occurs naturally in your body. Your body uses it to draw and retain moisture in areas like your eyeballs and joints. Results from most HA-based fillers last about 6-12 months.
- Poly-L-lactic Acid: This group of dermal fillers helps stimulate collagen production and produces long-lasting results, sometimes for more than 2 years.
- Autologous fat transfer: Also called facial fat grafting, this type of dermal filler treatment involves removing excess fat from a donor site and transferring it to areas where you’d like more volume on your face. The results can last more than 3 years in some cases.
This is not an all-inclusive list of dermal filler products. We’ll cover the entire range of options and their results during your consultation.
How soon will I see my results from dermal fillers?
For most types of injectables, you’ll start seeing some results right away and incremental improvement daily for some time after. As your dermal fillers stimulate healthy collagen and elastin production and draw in more moisture, you’ll notice more volume and smoother skin over time.
Do injectables hurt?
Most patients, even ones with a low pain tolerance, report feeling only a slight pinch at the injection site. If necessary, we can use a local anesthetic to enhance your comfort. Some brands of dermal filler products even include a local anesthetic in the formulation.
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