Dermal fillers are gel-like substances that are injected beneath the skin to restore lost volume, smoothen lines and soften creases, or enhance facial contours.
Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring sugar that is already found in your body. It helps keep skin plump and hydrated. HA fillers are typically soft and gel-like. The results are temporary, lasting 6 to 12 months or longer before the body gradually and naturally absorbs the particles.
Calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) is a natural substance found in bones and is used as a filler in cosmetic treatments. It has microscopic calcium particles suspended in a gel and lasts about 12 months. It's thicker than hyaluronic acid fillers and used for deeper lines and wrinkles.
Poly-L-lactic acid is a biodegradable synthetic substance. It has been used for many years in medical devices, such as dissolvable stitches. Poly-L-lactic acid products are technically classified as “collagen stimulators”. Poly-L-lactic acid is typically used to treat deeper facial wrinkles, and results can last more than 2 years.
Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) is a synthetic, biocompatible substance. In dermal fillers, PMMA takes the form of a “microsphere” or tiny ball, that remains beneath the skin indefinitely to provide continued support. PMMA fillers will also stimulate collagen, a naturally occurring substance in the skin that provides structure and firmness.
There are multiple factors to be taken into consideration for which filler is right for you. Your doctor would be the best judge for the same. Many clinics provide Dermal fillers, but we set ourself apart by the safety and precision we provide to our patients by strictly doing fillers under ultrasound guidance. We are proud that we are the only clinic offering in-house Ultrasound guided dermal filler for immense safety of our patients and highest precision in our work.
The filler can be injected anywhere and by anybody
Only well trained and qualified doctors are allowed to inject dermal fillers. The procedure needs to be performed in a medical office.
The fillers disfigure the face and give an unnatural look
This is not a problem if the dermal filler is injected by a properly trained, qualified doctor.
With ultrasound guidance safety is enhanced by multiple folds.
The results give a natural look and are often not obvious to people around. The patient is often complimented on good looks but no one knows what exactly was done.
It takes time for the filler to work
Fillers give immediate results. Pictures are taken straight after the procedure is completed. However hyaluronic acid has tendency to absorb water, hence results can improve over a week if patient stays well hydrated.
The fillers are very painful
Some filler injections can cause discomfort, but in most cases, local anaesthetic is applied first. Many prefilled filler injections have lidocaine in them which makes experience even more comfortable.
The fillers don’t last long
Hyaluronic acid fillers usually last between 6 to 12 months and even longer. This effect depends on the area treated as well as on individual response.
The permanent fillers are a better option as they are cost-effective
Permanent fillers are not suitable for everyone and for all indications. With ageing, the facial structures change. Permanent fillers do not adapt to these changes and thus often leading to an unnatural look later in life. They cannot be dissolved if you wish to change the look.
The fillers can be replaced by a good anti-ageing cream
Good anti-ageing creams offer an improvement in the appearance of the skin, but fillers give immediate and more dramatic results; they can replace volume loss, augment lips and decrease deep wrinkles and lines which no amount of creams can do
The fillers are irreversible
Some fillers are permanent and irreversible, but hyaluronic acid fillers are temporary and to retain the results they need to be repeated every 12 to 18 months.
The fillers can replace Botox
Botox and fillers injections are two different procedures. Botox relaxes expression muscles helping to decrease wrinkles, while injected dermal fillers can replace volume loss, reshape and augment lips, diminish wrinkles as well as can help to plump the skin. It’s like comparing apples and oranges! However both of them do fantastic job in anti-ageing
The fillers injections procedure takes a long time to heal
Dermal fillers in some cases do not cause any downtime, in some can cause mild swelling, and bruising. Generally, the healing period can last 2-3 days, very seldom longer than a week. Normal activities can be started straight after the procedure.
The filler in the lips gives a “trout pout” look
This sadly can happen if the procedure is done by an unqualified or poorly trained aesthetic medicine doctor. Lip fillers enhance lip shape and definition while offering a natural improvement to the lips
The fillers give a “pillow face” look
Again this problem occurs if the inexperienced practitioners inject the filler. Overcorrection can result in an overly plumped face. A well-trained doctor will keep a sense of proportion and will not over treat.
The fillers are used for wrinkles only
Fillers can be used to fill wrinkles and lines but also to accentuate facial features, replace the loss of volume and augment lips. They are very effective in enhancing cheekbones.
Ultrasound imaging or ultrasonography for supported facial injections is used to visualize facial and superficial anatomy in real time. It allows providers to plan safe injections, map vascular structures , and verify the placement of the fillers after injection. This helps improve patient outcomes and minimize filler complications.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind while getting dermal fillers.
The device provides high-definition imaging, making it possible for providers to identify the amount and location of fillers injected into patients. One key benefit is that it lets injectors know where to avoid structures in critical areas that are either very deep or shallow. Another is avoiding intravascular injections, which occur when fillers enter a blood vessel by mistake.
Below are the benefits of ultrasound imaging:
The most popular dermal fillers used today are made of material using hyaluronic acid-based products, such as those in the Juvederm range manufactured by Allergan & Restylane by Galderma. These hyaluronic acid dermal fillers are non-permanent, meaning that they are reabsorbed into the body over time. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance that is found in body tissues, and it has been used safely in general medical applications for several decades.
Dermal fillers literally work but “filling the volume” in the area they are deposited. It’s the skill of the practitioner to place the dermal filler safely and precisely in the areas of concern in such a way that it not only adds volume to the treated area but also supports the tissues giving subtle yet beautiful lift.
The first step in the process is to arrange a consultation with the practitioner. As part of this consultation, our doctors will determine your suitability for treatment
A topical anaesthetic cream will be applied before the appointment to maximise patient comfort during the procedure.
We use a special ultrasound probe to help us deliver utterly precise placement of filler while injecting with unparalleled safety.
Sometimes we need to mould the product so as to settle it properly within your tissues.Procedure ends with Antibiotic cream application on injection sites & sunscreen over your entire face
It is most advisable to ensure your practitioner has several years’ experience in performing not only injectables for dermal fillers but also other procedures such as Sculptra & has a sound understanding of facial anatomy and anti-ageing technology.
At Byzance we consult with patients at every step of the procedure so that they are given every opportunity to influence how much filler and where they believe it is required. However, Our goal is to ensure the safest and most efficient care, so we will only perform procedures on patients where it is medically indicated that treatment is suitable.
Most common complications of dermal filler treatment are the temporary bruising around the injection site, swelling of facial features during the initial healing period and infection at the injection site. The risk of bruising can be minimized by using atraumatic cannulas which are our favourite. Infection during procedure can be avoided by performing treatments in clean, sterile environment by a trained and qualified professional.
However, very rare but severe complications like vascular compromise, necrosis and damage to the organ/tissue being supplied by the vessel, which is accidently blocked by filler, can also happen. Anatomy of human face is largely similar but not precisely same for every individual. Injecting without ultrasound guidance is like injecting blindly based on knowledge on anatomy. Unfortunately anatomy doesn’t follow 100% rules in all faces which can lead to accident even by the most experienced injector.
To avoid such accident, we always inject filler under ultrasound guidance. This helps us locate the vessel in real time while injecting under your skin and hence avoid the vessel safely and surely.
As a local topical anaesthetic cream is applied 20-30 minutes before treatment and filler products themselves contain lidocaine which is a fast-acting anaesthetic, the vast majority of patients find the injections tolerable with slight initial discomfort.
Discomfort levels may be higher if patients opt for an inexperienced practitioner or use an inferior product.
The majority of fillers last between 1 to 2 years, with the exact time depending on the area applied and the individual patient.
POST PROCEDURE CARE FOR FILLERS: