What is a dermal filler and what does it do?
A dermal filler is a term used to describe a range of products that are injected into, or under the skin, to remove or soften facial lines, wrinkles and folds. They are also used to add volume, or replace volume that has been lost with aging, enhance facial contours e.g cheeks and improve overall skin quality and hydration.
Traditionally these products were collagen based, however nowadays there are a multitude available on the worldwide market with the most widely used being the hyaluronic acid fillers e.g. Juvederm and Restylane. This is because hyaluronic acid is a natural substance found in the body.
What skin concerns make someone a prime candidate for dermal fillers?
With the wide range of hyaluronic acid fillers available today, we have something to address most concerns. These include, but are not limited to, nasolabial folds, vertical lip lines, down-turned corners of the mouth, accordian lines (creases on the cheeks from smiling), under eye hollows, acne scarring and enhancing the shape and proportion of the lips.
In relation to adding volume, popular areas are cheeks, and reflating areas such as the chin and temple hollows.
Fine hydrating fillers are perfect for crepey neck skin and horizontal necklace lines, and for plumping and hydrating ageing hands.
What results are achieved by having dermal fillers?
Dermal fillers in the hands of a skilled injector can offer phenomenal results.
For younger patients their goal is often to enhance shape and proportion or to glamourise, and look more beautiful. An example of this is with lips or defining cheeks. Their focus is also on supporting the skin and preventing lines from forming.
As we age, treatments tend to be more corrective, and replacing what has been lost – to refill and strengthen the skin.
It is not just about looking younger, it is about looking better. It is about beauty, balance and proportion. Our goal is to improve and normalise facial features.
Results should be fresh, rejuvenated and soft looking.
Has the way dermal fillers been injected changed in the last few years?
Dermal fillers were originally only used to fill lines and enhance the lip border, known as the “paris lip”. Today we are doing so much more.
An experienced injector will still use traditional injecting techniques such as droplets or serial puncture when needed for certain corrections, however will also use more advanced and creative techniques that offer precise, predictable and long lasting results.
I will often use several injecting techniques within one treatment session.
What do you think the future will hold in terms of dermal fillers?
We will no doubt continue to see more dermal fillers arriving on the market, possibly longer lasting. On the note of longevity, I never use permanent fillers as I have not come across one with a good enough safety profile.
As new products become available, I consider them very carefully, remembering that not everything that is new is good, but everything that is good was once new.
We already have great fillers available and with an expert injector and advanced techniques, achieve great results.
Top Treatment Areas Using Derma Fillers
1. Lips
Dermal fillers are used to enhance the lips shape, volume and proportions. The key word when it comes to lips is enhance. Results should not be exaggerated or overdone. People are often fearful of the”trout pout” and they needn’t be.
Subtle treatments result in great looking lips that do not look like they have been treated.
An injector must have a good aesthetic eye, and look beyond the lips and perioral region (area surrounding the lips), and assess the individual’s whole face. The size and shape of the lips simply must work with the rest of the face.
It is certainly not one treatment suits all. Angelina Jollie’s lips look great on her, but put those lips on many people, and they would look ridiculous.
Lip enhancements are popular from twenties through to eighties! Younger people want fuller, pouty, kissable lips, or to correct an imbalance e.g. a very thin top lip, whereas as we age the goal may be to treat the border to stop lipstick from bleeding and fill in the vertical lip lines.
2.Oral Commissures
These are the lines that run from the corners of the mouth down towards the jawline. These lines or folds can make people look sad and worried, and people often comment that they feel they have to smile permanently to lift their mouth.
Dermal fillers to this area not only supports and lifts the corners of the mouth, it takes years off you.
3. Tear Troughs
The hollows under the eyes are can make people look tired and darken the under eye area. These can be evident from quite a young age. A conservative dermal filler treatment is one of the most effective treatments in addressing this concern