DERMAL FILLERS FAQ

A dermal filler injection is a version of a nonsurgical cosmetic procedure. Dermal fillers smooth out wrinkles and restore volume in your face.

You could choose to receive a dermal filler to restore your facial features or enhance a more youthful appearance. This elective treatment only takes about 30 minutes, and your recovery time is minimal. Positive results are immediate and might last months to years depending on the kind of filler and the location.

There is a range of dermal fillers. Your healthcare provider will review your options with you. As with many cosmetic procedures, there are some risks, which include bleeding, bruising, and infection. Your health insurance plan will probably not cover elective cosmetic procedures such as filler injections.

Why are Dermal Fillers Used?

As you age, your body starts to lose collagen. Collagen is an essential substance in your skin, bones, muscles, and connective tissues. Decreased collagen in your skin causes loose skin and loss of volume. Your skin will become thinner and start to sag. You could choose to get dermal fillers to:

1. Restore volume to sagging skin.
2. Plump up your lips and cheeks.
3. Smooth wrinkles and minimize creases in your face.
4. Make your facial features more symmetrical.

Some medications prescribed can also cause thinness in your face. You could choose to get a dermal filler to restore volume to your face after taking these medications.

How Common Are Dermal Fillers?

Dermal fillers have become quite common. Every year in the United States, more than three million people receive dermal fillers.

What Happens Before a Dermal Filler Procedure?

Before you get a dermal filler, you will consult your healthcare provider. You may want to see a dermatologist, a healthcare provider specializing in skin care. They will examine the skin on your face and ask about your objectives and which areas you wish to enhance.

They may mark your face with a marker to identify where the injections will be. They could take pictures of your face. They will then recommend a specific kind of filler and review any possible side effects and your recovery time.

During your consultation, they will also document your medical history. It is crucial to tell them if you are taking any medications, because some drugs will increase the risk of complications. Tell them if you have:

1. Allergies.
2. History of bruising or bleeding after similar procedures.
3. Skin conditions.
4. Neurological problems.

What Happens During a Dermal Filler Procedure?

You can receive your dermal filler in the office. Or you could choose a medical spa. They will clean your skin and apply lotion or cream with an anesthetic. The anesthetic numbs the area so the treatment will be more comfortable.

Using a tiny needle, they inject small amounts of filler under your skin. The needle might pinch or sting, but discomfort is minimal during these injections. They should inject the filler into several areas. The entire process should take a few minutes or up to an hour.

What Happens After a Dermal Filler Procedure?

After completing your dermal filler, they will cleanse your skin. They could give you an ice pack to ease discomfort and swelling.

You could have minor bruises, swelling, or discomfort after the injections. Usually, these side effects are mild and are gone in just a few days.

You will see results immediately after getting these injections. But results are different. How long they last varies based on several factors, including the specific dermal filler you received.

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