June 24, 2022
Dermal fillers have become a widespread and common go-to regular cosmetic treatment for many. There’s no surprise here given how versatile fillers can be and how many different areas of the body and skin concerns they can treat, including the under eye area, the lips, the nose and the bum (yup, the non-surgical butt lift is real). Dermal fillers can truly do something for just about anyone.
That said, with the amount of information out there about fillers, it’s hard to know where to start. So we put together these 4 filler treatment tips to get you on your way.
There are actually a number of different types of dermal fillers out there. And different dermal fillers do different things. Before you decide to go for a filler treatment you may want to research which types are out there and what areas of the face they’re best suited for.
Hyaluronic acid (HA) based fillers are the most commonly used dermal fillers. These are typically used for most areas of the face and for the lips, and probably the most important thing to note about HA based fillers is that they can be dissolved with something called hyaluronidase. It’s not something that you necessarily want to do, but it’s good to know in case you’re unhappy with your results or you happen to have a rare allergic reaction.
There’s also a poly-L-lactic stimulatory filler called Sculptra. The thing to know about this filler is that it doesn’t act as a traditional filler where it adds immediate volume to the face, rather it works to help your body to rebuild collagen and to improve on your skin’s overall support structure. Keep in mind that Sculptra lasts on average two years and cannot be dissolved the way HA fillers can.
Calcium hydroxylapatite based fillers, like Radiesse, have a thicker density. They rebuild volume the way HA fillers do, but they also cannot be dissolved, but are long lasting as well, on average two years.
Dermal fillers also treat different areas of the face, and there are fillers best suited for certain areas such as specific fillers for the lips, under eyes, soft tissue fillers for the nose etc. There are also a number of other things that fillers can do than just add volume to sunken areas of the face such as softening creases around the nose and mouth, or adding definition to facial contours.
One more thing you may want to research before you head out for your filler treatment is a reputable clinic to go to. It’s best to go to a clinic where injectors are under the supervision of a physician, and also where the injectors have a lot of experience and an advanced knowledge of facial anatomy. Injecting filler is a bit of an art, and you want your injector to be able to see and create facial harmony.
When it comes to getting an injectable dermal filler treatment, we really don’t recommend shopping around. What you should be shopping around for is the most experienced and knowledgeable injectors, not the cheapest deal.
Keep in mind that you are allowing someone to inject product into your face. If you’re going to the cheapest place it may be a red flag that the most experienced person won’t be performing your treatment.
When it comes to fillers, it’s really important to be clear with your injector about the look that you’re going for. At The Plastic Surgery Clinic we always offer our patients a complimentary consultation during which you have the chance to discuss exactly what you want with your injector and also determine whether filler is really the right treatment for your skin goals.
We are also really all about offering our patients the most natural result possible. We like to enhance what you’ve already got, not completely transform your natural look so that you’re unrecognizable.
That said, we totally understand that some of you might want that fuller pout or that extra added volume around the cheekbones. Whatever it is that you’re looking to achieve, just let us know, we’re here to listen and get the result as close to what you’re expecting as possible.
It’s important to keep in mind that we work with every individual’s unique anatomy, and the number of syringes your friend got during their lip filler treatment may not be the ideal number for you. Expect a treatment plan that is customized to your specific goals and your particular (lovely) face.
It’s important to follow your provider’s before and after care instructions. Certain medications may leave you more prone to bruising, such as Advil or Ibuprofen, so your provider may ask you not to take them for about 24-48 hours prior to your treatment.
Same thing goes for alcohol. It could make you more prone to bruising, so we typically don’t recommend having any right before your treatment. That said, a glass or two with dinner won’t make or break your treatment, but you don’t want to be going wild the night before your filler appointment.
Your provider may also send you home with certain after care instructions. It’s important to follow these to speed up the recovery of any side effects, and to ensure the best results possible.
So things like lying down immediately after treatment, or hitting the gym for a strenuous work out, may have to wait until later. Also, some filler treatments, like Sculptra for instance, require massaging the area for a number of days after your appointment.
Your injector will send you home with guidelines for whatever filler treatment you received, so you won’t have to worry about remembering everything, but it’ll be key that you follow them.
Did we answer all your questions? Our goal is to ensure you have the best information possible to make your decision. If you still have questions, we’re here to help.
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