What you need to know about dermal fillers

Even before the age of Zoom, more and more Americans have been increasingly choosing minimally invasive options to achieve a more youthful, supple appearance.

For some patients, forgoing more serious, invasive surgeries like facelifts and neck lifts, for equally safe, easy and affordable dermal fillers to attain fuller profiles and smoother skin is a no-brainer.

What are dermal fillers?

There are various dermal filler injection options, including biosynthetically produced calcium hydroxylapatite, which is found naturally in human bones; reformulated hyaluronic acid, which is also found naturally in the human body; and polylactic acid, which is a non-toxic, biodegradable substance. Regardless of the type of dermal filler you opt for, these fillers have long safety records or have already been used in other medical or even dental treatments for some time now.

Why choose dermal fillers?

We all naturally lose volume in our faces as we age. This leads to sagging skin, hollow cheeks and an aged appearance.

Dermal fillers are a safe, reversible way to restore lost volume, smooth wrinkles and enhance the contours of your face in a way that can look completely natural.

What are dermal fillers used for?

Dermal fillers can help with all of the following issues:

• Sunken cheeks
• Thin lips
• Marionette and smile lines
• Crow's feet
• Asymmetrical features
• Weak chin
• Noticeable scars
• Frown lines

In some cases, injectable fillers can even be used to plump up the backs of your hands to give them a smooth, youthful appearance.

What kind of results can you expect from dermal fillers?

Most fillers last anywhere from six months to several years, depending on the type of filler and injection site. Your plastic surgeon will be able to tell you how long your chosen fillers should last.

Results can be immediate. Some people may initially feel like the treatment areas are "overfilled," but once the swelling subsides and the filler settles, the end-result can look more natural.

What to expect when getting dermal fillers

During the procedure

Depending on which filler you get, the area may be first numbed with a topical cream. Some fillers have a local anesthetic mixed in, so you won't need a numbing cream.

The area will be sterilized, and the treatment will be carefully injected. The entire process usually takes less than an hour, and you'll be able to resume your normal activities soon after.

During recovery

Typically there is no real downtime with injectable fillers. Most plastic surgeons recommend limiting strenuous activity for 48 hours in order to facilitate faster healing, but you can usually resume a regular schedule immediately.

There will be some swelling, soreness and bruising around the injection site, but this will resolve within a few days.

Achieve your aesthetic goals with dermal fillers

Dermal fillers are a safe, minimally invasive option for restoring a natural-looking, and youthful fullness to your features.

When going this route it's important to choose a qualified board-certified plastic surgeon for your filler injections so that you can feel safe and confident in the results you'll achieve.