Aging comes for everyone. The question isn’t whether you can avoid it, but whether or not you will be prepared. Thankfully, in today’s age, there’s no reason anyone should have to give in to fine lines, sagging skin, and other aesthetic concerns that develop over time.
At Aledo Empowered Wellness, we specialize in cutting-edge injectable treatments like dermal fillers, a powerful facial rejuvenation tool for men and women of various ages and aesthetic concerns. Whether you’re looking for enhanced fullness of the lips, fine line reduction, and/or a more refreshed look in general, dermal fillers have already provided results for thousands of patients.
In this overview of dermal fillers, we will explain what they are, how they work, who they’re for, and more. When you’re ready to leverage this reliable and nonsurgical treatment in your own anti-aging treatment plan, our expert team at Aledo Empowered Wellness is here to deliver a fully customized treatment plan.
What Are Dermal Fillers?
Dermal fillers are a type of injectable treatment used to fill deep lines associated with aging and skin laxity. They are frequently made from Hyaluronic Acid (HA), which is a substance found naturally in human skin. HA molecules naturally attract water, so when processed into a gel consistency (as it is for injectables) it can be placed into different layers of tissue to attract water, hydrating skin and creating volume where we want it.
Why Do People Use Dermal Fillers?
Faces tend to lose volume with age as structures beneath the skin change shape and drift downwards. Sun damage, age and weight loss can also lead to a deflated, sagging appearance. Hormone changes cause skin to become thinner and less resilient as collagen and elastin are depleted. Thinner skin further reveals the change in shape beneath the skin and ultimately contributes to what we perceive as a sign of aging.
While HA fillers can restore volume and hydration, they can’t directly improve the quality of skin—but don’t worry, there are other products and treatments that can! Explore them here.
Still, boosting the hydration and elasticity of the skin allows for many helpful aesthetics applications, depending on each patient’s presentation and circumstances.
Dermal Filler Benefits
Addressing fine lines — The volumizing effect of hyaluronic acid gives dermal fillers the ability to smooth over fine lines for a more naturally youthful appearance.
Reducing the appearance of scars — Depending on the type and severity of the scar, some dermal fillers can fill in the depressions caused by the scar, drastically reducing its appearance.
Lifting sagging skin — While dermal fillers may not be as intensive as a traditional facelift, they can still plump and rejuvenate areas of sagging skin with much less downtime and discomfort.
Improving the jawline — Dermal fillers can be applied along the jawline to increase its definition for a more prominent and attractive overall appearance.
Correcting facial asymmetry — Even without injury, genetic factors and/or medical causes, mild to moderate facial asymmetries are extremely common. Dermal fillers are precise and subtle enough to handle these asymmetries without giving you the appearance that you’ve had work done.
Dermal Fillers Vs Botox
Botox and other “neuromodulator” injections are similar to dermal fillers in their capacity to reduce fine lines, but the mechanism is completely different. Where dermal fillers use moisture-absorbing compounds to restore the skin’s hydration, elasticity, and fullness, neuromodulators interfere with the communication between nerves and facial muscles to relax wrinkles.
When injected, Botox temporarily paralyzes the targeted muscle(s), rendering it completely unable to receive signals from the brain telling it to activate. This drastically reduces the appearance of dynamic wrinkles, which are those caused by repetitive muscle contractions over time (e.g., crow’s feet). Like dermal fillers, neuromodulators are temporary, but they offer a nonsurgical and highly effective facial rejuvenation option that can be paired with other treatments for more comprehensive results.
Am I Eligible for Dermal Fillers?
Generally speaking, dermal fillers are a well-tolerated nonsurgical procedure that can accommodate a wide range of patients, including different age groups, skin types, and so on. However, like any treatment, dermal fillers may not be appropriate for people on certain medications, or with certain disorders, including the following:
- Active skin infections
- Certain medications and supplements (NSAIDs, vitamin E, etc.)
- Compromised immunity
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- History of keloid scars
- Skin sensitivity and/or disorder
It’s also important to maintain realistic expectations of treatment. For those who are looking for a more dramatic lifting and/or volumizing effect, facelifts and other more intensive procedures are often a more suitable alternative to dermal fillers.
How to Optimize Your Dermal Filler Results
Even procedures as simple and convenient as dermal fillers still require effort on the part of the recipient in order to ensure the most effective and long-lasting results. Many of the pre-treatment and post-treatment recommendations for dermal fillers will seem familiar to those already savvy in skin care dos and don’ts, as there is plenty of overlap between the two.
Keeping in mind your particular pre-treatment and post-treatment recommendations may vary to a degree based on your unique situation, common guidelines issued to protect and prolong the results of dermal filler treatment include:
Use or avoid medications and supplements as directed — Your treatment provider will explain which medications you are currently taking, if any, have potential to interfere with treatment. If temporarily ceasing medication use before your filler appointment is possible, this may be recommended.
Avoid environmental and other hazards — Sun exposure, extreme temperatures, products containing skin irritants, and other hazards can cut short or even reverse your dermal filler results.
Lifestyle practices and skin care routine — Sleep, diet, stress, smoking, alcohol use, and hygiene practices can all impact the results of your dermal filler treatment.
Dermal Filler Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the treatment take?
Treatment time varies on a case by case basis, but rarely takes more than 30 or 40 minutes in total.
How long does it take for results to appear?
Dermal fillers typically deliver instantly visible results, but that doesn’t mean the results you first observe will be the end results. Typically, the filler settles in the days following treatment.
Am I too young or too old for dermal fillers?
The FDA approved dermal fillers for a number of aesthetics purposes in patients of 22 years of age or more.
How often should I get dermal fillers?
Different brands of dermal fillers last for different periods of time. The particular results you intend to maintain can also influence how often you will want follow-up appointments, as does the location in which the filler is injected. Some people have follow-ups every 6 months, while some will wait as long as once a year.
Why Choose Aledo Empowered Wellness?
At Aledo Empowered Wellness we work hard to help patients improve their overall health and to slow down the effects of aging from a health and wellness perspective. But looking as good as you feel on the inside is important too. This is why we offer a variety of different HA fillers to customize treatment plans for different patients with different needs and aesthetic goals. Choosing the right product is as important as choosing the right provider to inject it. If you would like to learn more about how Galderma or Allergan hyaluronic acid fillers can enhance your aesthetic goals, schedule your consultation now.
