What are facial fillers?
Facial fillers such as Restylane, Perlane, and Juvederm are naturally occurring injectable gels that can be used to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and other characteristics of aging skin, providing patients with a smoother and younger-looking complexion.
How do facial fillers work?
Most fillers consist of hyaluronic acid, which is a natural component found in the body that’s able to enter skin cells and fill them with moisture, resulting in a more youthful appearance. Once injected into the skin, fillers work by creating volume to the area instantly.
Other fillers work by stimulating skin cells to produce more collagen. Collagen is a protein, which the body needs to keep the skin young and healthy. As you age, collagen production slows down and you begin to lose the collagen you already have. By increasing its production, these characteristics become less noticeable.
What areas can be treated?
Fillers can be used for smoothing out folds and wrinkles, shaping facial contours and lip enhancements. Commonly treated areas are the nasolabial folds (from the root of the nose to the angle of the mouth), cheeks, the glabellar lines (between the eyebrows), the droopy mouth corners, thinning lips and wasting temples. However, other sites can also be treated.
What are the risks of dermal filler injections?
As with any treatment, facial fillers may have the potential for side effects. However, the side effects are typically mild and resolve within the first few hours or days following treatment. The most common side effects of filler injections are swelling and bruising. This varies from person to person, depending on how your body responds.
It is helpful to avoid any blood-thinning medications 2 weeks before your treatment to prevent bruising. Consult with your physician before discontinuing any medications.