Beyond Wrinkles: Other Uses for Dermal Fillers
While Botox has become a household name over the last few decades, fewer Americans know about different kinds of soft tissue fillers that are available. Despite their lower profile, dermal fillers have quietly emerged as one of the most popular cosmetic treatments performed over the last few years. So what’s behind the popularity of dermal fillers? While it’s true that these treatments are great for filling in facial wrinkles, they have a lot more to offer than that. Here’s what you need to know about alternative uses for soft tissue fillers.
What Are Dermal Fillers?
Dermal fillers are injectable anti-aging treatments that may utilize a variety of different formulas to soften facial wrinkles on a temporary basis. Many fillers are made of hyaluronic acid, a carbohydrate substance which occurs naturally in the body and helps give structure and hydration to the skin. This is the most common material used for fillers, but some brands are made from materials like calcium hydroxyapatite,polylactic acid,or collagen. Each type of filler has its benefits and drawbacks, and even fillers made from similar materials have slight differences.
Versatile
While fillers’ most basic use is to fill in “static” wrinkles (those not caused by facial movement), they are far more versatile than that. Today, dermal fillers are among the most versatile types of cosmetic treatment, and some newer fillers are specifically formulated to serve other purposes than wrinkle reduction. Here are some great uses for various fillers.
Augmentation
When it comes to augmentation of smaller areas of the body such as the lips, fillers can’t be beat for their natural look and feel. Lip augmentation is the most common type of augmentation with dermal fillers, and the treatment is often preferred over permanent, surgically placed implants, despite the fact that the results are temporary. Hyaluronic fillers are favored, as they have been proven safe for augmentation and offer a soft, natural look and feel.
Replacing Facial Volume
Aging brings about many changes in the face, and one major sign of aging is facial volume loss. This can lead to a sunken appearance that makes the skin sag and the face appear aged, tired, unhealthy, and gaunt. While in the past, wrinkles were one of the only signs of aging commonly addressed, today it is common to address wrinkling, sagging skin, and facial volume loss together for the best facial rejuvenation. A new filler, JuvedermVolumais formulated to help fight volume loss in the cheek area, the results of which can last for up to two years. The first filler of its kind, there may be more volume loss specific fillers on the market in the future.
Contour
In addition to restoring facial volume, fillers can also improve facial contours, when administered by a skilled provider. Improved contours are a natural side benefit to improving facial volume, and even small changes can make a big difference.
Nose Shaping
While fillers certainly can’t work the magic of nose reshaping results, some patients elect to have the “5 minute nose job,” which involves the use of fillers to make subtle changes to the shape of the nose. This can be a good option for patients with only minor complaints about their nasal aesthetics.
The Dermal Filler Treatment Process
There are many benefits to dermal filler treatments, and one of the most obvious is their non-invasive, accessible nature. As an injected treatment, there is very little discomfort involved during and after the procedure, with most side effects (which are generally very mild) subsiding within a day. While all procedures have some risks of side effects and complications, the rates are very low for dermal fillers.
The injection process is quick (typically under 30 minutes), and because the products last longer than Botox (anywhere from six months to two years), subsequent appointments are minimal. While over time, the costs can certainly add up, they are much more affordable than many other treatments, and there are very few patients who are ineligible for treatment due to health reasons.
Consulting With an Expert
If you are interested in learning more about fillers and moving forward with treatment, then it’s time to meet with a qualified provider to explore your options. While fillers are non-surgical, they require extensive knowledge and skill to be able to administer them properly and get consistently good results. You should only seek treatment from a board certified facial plastic surgeon, as he or she will be able to help you determine which filler is right for you, and give you great results you’ll want to show off.
If you’re looking for a knowledgeable surgeon in the Newport Beach(949-650-8882) or Beverly Hills(310-467-2180) area, then consider meeting with double board certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Rami K. Batniji. Dr. Batniji is a focused and specialized surgeon, offering a range of facial fillers and rejuvenation treatments. Call either location today to schedule your consultation.