Fillers
What are Fillers?
Filler is a non-surgical Facial Aesthetic procedure that involves the Dermal Fillers, gel-like substances, getting injected beneath the skin in order to restore lost volume, smooth lines, soften creases, and enhance facial contours. The procedure is minimally invasive and provides immediate results.
Permanent Fillers, such as collagen, were popular in the past, but over time have been replaced with Hyaluronic Acid, HA, based Fillers, which is a better fit as Hyaluronic Acid occurs naturally in the body.
Why are Filler Injections performed?
Dermal Fillers offer an easy way to get rid of wrinkles, smooth lines, and restore volume to the face. The biggest reason Dermal Fillers are preferred is their non-surgical injection method that is minimally invasive.
What are the conditions for Fillers?
Dermal Fillers are recommended to patients who:
- Do not have medical conditions that can impair healing or would increase risk of procedure.
- Can safely go under anesthesia.
- Have realistic expectations on how Fillers will change their appearance.
Bone and collagen density starts to slowly drop after the mid 20s, having Dermal Filler injections around that time will maintain the loss of bone and collagen.
What Are The Things To Be Considered Before Fillers?
Before Dermal Fillers, patients should:
- Avoid taking aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Ibuprofen, Advil, Motrin, Nuprin, Aleve, Celebrex, Fish oil, and high doses of vitamin E for at least 10 days before the procedure.
- Notify their doctor if they had a history of a Herpes outbreak on their face.
- Avoid dental procedures, including dental cleaning, for 2 weeks before the procedure.
- Stop smoking and consuming alcohol at least 2 weeks before the procedure to alleviate the risk of a blood clot.
Dermal Fillers are not permanent, and bruising and swelling after the procedure is to be expected, but will decrease considerably 48 hours after the procedure.
How are Fillers performed?
Patient's face will be analyzed to determine which areas of the face should be injected with Fillers. Local Anesthesia is then applied to the areas, and the Dermal Fillers are injected into the face through a thin needle. The injected areas are then massaged and evaluated to determine if additional Fillers are needed. The procedure takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes.
What are The Things To Be Considered After Fillers?
The results of the Filler injections can be observed immediately after the procedure and can last for several months to years depending on the patient. For better and longer lasting results it is advised to maintain good health as well as a healthy and strong skin. Patients are advised to:
- Contact their Patient Coordinator if symptoms of redness, swelling, bruising and tenderness after the injections last longer than.
- Apply cold compresses on the injection sites to reduce swelling and decrease soreness.
- Limit exposure to sunlight for the first 24 hours after the procedure.
- Avoid strenuous exercise for 48 hours after the procedure.
- Avoid taking aspirin (unless medically necessary) or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Ibuprofen, Motrin, Nuprin, Aleve, Fish oil, and high doses of vitamin E for 5 days after the procedure.
- Avoid excessive touching or massaging the treated areas for about 6 hours after the injections.
- Avoid dental procedures for 2 weeks after the procedure.
What Are The Risks of Fillers?
The most serious risk associated with Dermal Fillers is accidental injection into a blood vessel. Less severe complications include:
- Bruising
- Redness
- Swelling
- Pain
- Tenderness
- Itching or rashes