WHAT IS THE DERMAL FILLERS PROCESS?

Dermal fillers reduce facial lines and restore lost volume and fullness to your face. As you age, your face naturally loses fat. The facial muscles are now working closer to the surface of your skin, so your smile lines and crow's feet just become more apparent.

Your facial skin also begins to stretch, which adds to this loss of facial volume. Other factors that impact the facial skin include sun exposure, heredity, and your lifestyle.

What Dermal Fillers Can Do

1. Soften your facial creases and wrinkles.
2. Plump up thin lips.
3. Enhance shallow contours.
4. Improve the appearance of any recessed scars.
5. Reconstruct contour deformities in your face.
6. Decrease or remove the shadow of the lower lids.

Dermal fillers are helpful if you have early signs of aging, or as a value-added part of facial rejuvenation surgery.

The Dermal Filler Process

1. Step 1 - Facial assessment and mapping- If you want to utilize packaged soft tissue fillers, your health care team will evaluate your facial appearance and skin tone and examine the areas of your face to be addressed.

Strategic points on your face will be marked as appropriate injection sites for the filler. Photographs might be taken of the areas to be treated.

1. Step 2 - Cleansing and anesthetizing- The injection sites will be cleansed with an antibacterial agent. Discomfort at the injection site can be minimized with the use of a very cold instrument to chill the skin, anesthetic ointment to numb the skin, or an injection of local anesthesia. While not painless, the injections are most often easily tolerated.
2. Step 3 - The dermal filler injection- The injection usually takes just a few minutes per site. The process of injecting, massaging, and evaluating the results is then performed, and any additional filler may be added as needed.

Depending on the exact number of areas to be treated, the entire process can be as fast as 15 minutes, or as long as an hour.

1. Step 4 - Clean up and recovery- Once your results are reviewed and considered satisfactory, any markings will be cleansed off.

You could be offered an ice pack to reduce any swelling and minimize discomfort. Although the area can feel slightly tender for a day or two, it is usually not uncomfortable enough to require any medication.

Are You a Good Candidate for Dermal Fillers?

You could be a viable candidate for dermal fillers if you:

1. Are physically healthy.
2. Have a positive outlook and realistic goals for the improvement of your appearance.
3. Do not smoke.
4. Are committed to maintaining good skin health.

What Results Should You Expect After Dermal Fillers?

The results of your dermal filler injection are evident immediately and can last from several months to several years, depending on both the filler and your health. Maintaining good overall health, healthy and strong skin with proper products and skin treatments, will improve your results and longevity.

You should understand all aspects of dermal fillers. It is normal to feel some anxiety, whether it is excitement for your anticipated fresh look or some pre-treatment stress. Do not hesitate to discuss your feelings with your care team.

Related Article: What Are the Benefits of Dermal Fillers?