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Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers are injected beneath the skin to enhance facial contours, reduce wrinkles, and restore volume and fullness in the face. As we age, we naturally lose subcutaneous fat, which means our facial muscles are closer to the skin surface, making smile lines and crow’s feet more apparent. Sun damage affects not only the skin’s pigmentation, but accelerates the loss of collagen, the structural protein that gives the skin shape and form. Gravity pulls downward and accentuates the nasolabial folds and marionette lines, creating jowls, and lines and creases become etched in. We lose our youthful fullness.

Dermal fillers can not only mitigate these signs of aging but are also used for other aesthetic enhancements such as lip and cheek augmentation, and beyond the face, they can be effectively used to rejuvenate the hands, earlobes, decolletage, neck, nose, and temples.

Dermal fillers offer a versatile solution for various cosmetic enhancements, providing significant improvements with minimal downtime. Each application requires an expert injector who has a thorough understanding of anatomy, and expert techniques to ensure safety and effectiveness. Dr. Sheila Farhang is a board-certified dermatologist with specialized cosmetic training in advanced techniques and is an expert injector.

What are the various types of dermal fillers?

There are several types of dermal fillers available, each suited to different needs and parts of the face:

  1. Hyaluronic Acid (HA): Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance in the skin that is known for its ability to retain moisture, which gives us a plump and youthful appearance. It plays a crucial role in skin hydration, elasticity and tissue repair. With age, the body produces less hyaluronic acid, and the existing HA degrades contributing to the visible signs of aging. HA fillers are popular to restore skin plumpness and improve the appearance of wrinkles and nasolabial folds. They have a soft consistency and temporary results, lasting from 6 to 12 months or longer before the body gradually absorbs the filler. Brands like Juvéderm, Restylane, and Belotero are examples. They can also be used to improve the appearance of acne scars.
  2. Calcium Hydroxylapatite (CaHA): Found naturally in bones, this substance is denser than HA and is typically used to treat deeper wrinkles and facial lines, as well as enhancing fullness of the cheeks and other facial contours. It is considered a long-lasting, non-permanent filler. Results last about 12 months. Radiesse is a well-known brand of CaHA. Studies show that this biodegradable filler is safe and effective for a variety of aesthetic indications.
  3. Poly-L-lactic Acid: This biocompatible, biodegradable synthetic substance is used in products like Sculptra. Poly-L-lactic acid fillers are considered “collagen stimulators,” as they help the skin rebuild natural collagen. The filler itself dissipates a few days after treatment, but the effects can last over two years. Poly-L-lactic Acid fillers can improve the appearance of certain acne scars as well as restoring facial contours and augmenting the cheeks. They are used to restore volume to replace facial fat loss, for hand rejuvenation, and for gluteal enhancement. Duration of effects is 12 to 24 months.

Our dermal filler products

What are the uses for dermal fillers?

Dermal fillers are used to restore facial volume and contours, youthfulness and facial harmony. But they can do more than just fill wrinkles. They lift and enhance sunken cheeks, augment the lips, and fill in dark or puffy under eye hollows, and much more! They are often used in combination for a subtle nonsurgical lift. While undetectable, they will reveal your natural beauty.  Without any cuts or incisions, you can achieve dramatic changes that look completely natural. The application type determines the choice of dermal filler.

Dermal fillers are primarily used for:

  • Smoothing out lines around nose and mouth (a.k.a. marionette lines, smile lines, and parentheses)
  • Enhancing & restoring volume to sunken cheeks or temples
  • Lip enhancement
  • Smoothing out chin creases
  • Improving symmetry among facial features
  • Facial contouring to treat atrophy on the face, hands and other areas

What are the benefits and risks of dermal fillers?

The benefits include immediate or near immediate results, nonsurgical and minimally invasive treatment with minor redness, swelling, and bruising at the injection site, and the capacity to improve the overall appearance and enhance symmetry.

The extensive long-term safety outcomes reported with fillers and the ease with which they are administered make them an ideal choice to correct wrinkles and to contour the face. Contact Dr. Sheila Farhang at Avant Dermatology in Tucson or Beverly Hills office to schedule a consultation. Dr. Farhang is a recognized skin expert and expert injector who specializes in dermal fillers with a high degree of skill and precision.

References

  • https://www.asds.net/skin-experts/skin-treatments/injectables/injectable-hyaluronic-acid
  • https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/dermal-fillers/types
  • Almukhadeb E, Binkhonain F, Alkahtani A, Alhunaif S, Altukhaim F, Alekrish K. Dermal Fillers in the Treatment of Acne Scars: A Review. Ann Dermatol. 2023 Dec;35(6):400-407. doi: 10.5021/ad.22.230. PMID: 38086353; PMCID: PMC10733075.
  • Pavicic T. Calcium hydroxylapatite filler: an overview of safety and tolerability. J Drugs Dermatol. 2013 Sep;12(9):996-1002. PMID: 24002146.
  • https://www.plasticsurgery.org/

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