What Are Dermal Fillers?

A dermal filler is a type of injection that is used to smooth out fine lines on a patient’s face or to plump up wrinkles. These injections are typically applied to the areas around the nose, mouth, and eyes. The procedure leads to instant results that can last for years.

Dermal filler treatments are non-surgical cosmetic procedures that help to restore a more youthful appearance. Treatments are often completed in as little as 30 minutes, and there is no recovery time afterward.

Everything you should know about dermal filler injections

There are various types of dermal fillers used for cosmetic purposes, and the type used on each patient varies based on factors like their goals. Dermal fillers are one of the most commonly performed non-surgical cosmetic procedures in the U.S., with over 3 million people getting treatments with fillers each year.

Symptoms of aging, like wrinkles and frown lines, are something everyone eventually deals with at some point in their lives. These symptoms are caused by collagen production in the body slowing down due to the aging process. Collagen is an important compound that is found all over the body in connective tissue, bones, muscles, and skin tissue.

Reduced collagen production causes the skin to lose its elasticity, makes it thinner, and decreases its volume. Signs of aging typically start to appear once these things start.

Some of the most popular uses of dermal fillers include adding volume to loose skin, making a patient’s facial features more symmetrical, smoothing out creases and wrinkles, and plumping up cheeks and lips. Some prescription drugs can lead to loose skin, and dermal fillers can be used to restore the volume of areas affected.

The different types of dermal fillers

Some of the different types of fillers that can be used to create a more youthful appearance include:

• Hyaluronic acid: This compound occurs naturally in the skin and keeps it hydrated. It also has a volumizing effect on the skin. The production of hyaluronic acid slows down as a person ages, but injections of the compound can be used to reduce signs of aging, with results lasting as long as a year.
• Calcium hydroxylapatite: This compound naturally exists in bone tissues, and results can last up to a year. Calcium hydroxylapatite is often recommended to address deeper wrinkles.
• Polu-L-lactic acid: This compound promotes the creation of collagen and helps to remove deep wrinkles from the face. Results from this treatment can last as long as a few years.
• Polymethylmethacrylate: These fillers are made up of collagen and tiny balls that sit under the skin once injected. It’s an effective way to increase the volume and firmness of skin.

The procedure

Dermal fillers are typically administered at medical spas and healthcare clinics. The procedure starts with the provider cleaning the patient’s skin and applying a topical anesthetic. A thin needle is then used to inject small amounts of filler material into the patient’s skin. The entire process can be completed in as little as 20 minutes.