Introduction to Filling-Style Dermal Fillers
As we age, our skin undergoes changes. The production of collagen slows, and we lose skin quality over time. Filling-style dermal fillers are a type of aesthetic treatment used to reduce lines and wrinkles, such as nasolabial folds (the lines running between the nose and mouth, also known as ‘laugh lines’) and marionette lines (lines at the corners of the mouth).
Filler-style dermal fillers are used to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, for smooth skin that appears more youthful.
Why Use Filling-Style Dermal Fillers?
Over time, our skin becomes thinner and less elastic, and its ability to retain water is reduced. The result is the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles as hydration levels drop. We may experience skin laxity and more wrinkles as collagen production becomes less, too.
Injectable filling-style dermal fillers can help reduce facial lines and wrinkles. No matter what skin type you have, it can give you a natural glow as moisture is restored.
You may find that the filling-style dermal fillers vary in their texture and firmness. This is because they may contain unique properties more appropriate to different parts of the face and the severity of the lines or wrinkles.
Treatment Areas
Filling-style dermal fillers can reduce the appearance of laugh lines and facial wrinkles and provide a refined look. Areas that can be treated include fine lines around the mouth and eyes, and the vertical lines from the nose to the corner of the mouth.
The Treatment
Depending on the area being treated, the treatment can take between 15 and 45 minutes. A touch-up treatment may be recommended after a couple of weeks after the initial treatment for the best results. Local anaesthetic can be found in some dermal fillers that can reduce the amount of pain during treatment.
Patients can experience a number of side effects immediately after a treatment, including redness, swelling, pain, bruised skin, and even a feeling of warmth at the treatment site. The side effects usually go away within a week after injection.
Although fillers are minimally invasive, they still present some risks. Blood vessel obstruction is a serious side effect that can occur. Before your treatment, you should talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits.
Only registered doctors should administer filling-style dermal fillers. .
Filling-style dermal fillers may last between 9 and 18 months, depending on the number of retreatments you go for. The results you can achieve may vary depending on the treatment area, the product selected, and the characteristics of the individual being treated.
The Science Behind Dermal Fillers
Our bodies naturally have substances in them that keep our skin flexible, soft, and hydrated. One of these is a sugar molecule that has a high ability to bind water. It is a type of ‘glycosaminoglycan’ called hyaluronic acid.
Levels of this molecule in the skin can decrease as we age, leading to dry and thinner skin. Some dermal fillers contain hyaluronic acid. When placed into the deeper layer of skin, this sugar molecule keeps the body hydrated, which is why it makes the skin look more youthful while reducing facial lines and wrinkles.
If you are considering treatment options for signs of ageing on your face, a filling-style dermal filler could be a beneficial option. This type of treatment can improve the youthful appearance of skin as it penetrates the deeper layer of skin.
Before & After
- Anti-wrinkle treatments: frown lines and crow's feet;
- Dermal fillers: under eyes, cheeks, smile lines and lips.
- Individual results may vary.
- Anti-wrinkle treatments: frown and smile lines;
- Dermal fillers: cheeks and smile lines.
- Individual results may vary.
- Dermal fillers: cheeks, smile lines and jawline.
- Individual results may vary.
- Anti-wrinkle treatments: frown and smile lines;
- Dermal fillers: cheeks, smile lines and lips.
- Individual results may vary.
- Dermal fillers: under eyes.
- Individual results may vary.
- Dermal fillers: cheeks and lips.
- Individual results may vary.
- Dermal fillers: cheeks, nose, chin and lips
- Individual results may vary.
- Dermal fillers: forehead, cheekbones, cheeks, nose, lips and chin.
- Individual results may vary.
- Dermal fillers: cheekbones, nose, cheeks and smile lines
- Individual results may vary.
- Dermal fillers: cheeks, lips and chin.
- Individual results may vary.
- Dermal fillers: cheeks, smile lines and lips;
- Skin hydration boosters: cheeks
- Individual results may vary.
- Anti-wrinkle treatments: frown lines;
- Dermal fillers: under eyes, cheekbones, cheeks and smile lines.
- Individual results may vary.
- Anti-wrinkle treatments: frown lines and crow's feet;
- Dermal fillers: cheeks, smile lines, lips and chin.
- Individual results may vary.
- Anti-wrinkle treatments: frown lines and crow's feet;
- Dermal fillers: cheeks, smile lines, lips and chin.
- Individual results may vary.
- Anti-wrinkle treatments: frown lines and crow’s feet;
- Dermal fillers: cheeks and smile lines.
- Individual results may vary.
Individual results may vary.
Reduces lines and wrinkles
Can improve laugh and marionette lines
Contains a sugar molecule that keeps skin hydrated
Questions to Ask Before Treatment
If your doctor has recommended that you get a fill-style dermal filler treatment, it's important to read through all the materials they give you carefully. You can also ask your doctor important questions before making your decision, including:
- Can my medical history, previous treatments, or current medication influence my treatment or stop me from being able to receive treatment?
- What are the side effects and precautions I need to be aware of?
- What steps do I need to take before and after treatment?
- Are you registered with the Health Professionals Council of South Africa?
- How much experience have you had with dermal fillers?
- Are the dermal filler products you use approved for use in South Africa?
- What results can I expect from the treatment?
- What happens during the treatment?
- Any further questions you may have.
You can read more detailed information about filling-style dermal fillers in the Dermal Filler FAQ section.