The American Society of Plastic Surgeons states that there are an average of 2.6 million dermal filler injections every year in the United States. Most people know that dermal fillers are cosmetic treatments that can help you look younger and more radiant, but exactly what are dermal fillers, and how long do dermal fillers last? Learn more about this minimally invasive treatment that we offer at Rejuvenate Med Spa.
What Are Dermal Fillers?
As you age, your face can start losing some of its natural volume, making wrinkles more likely to form. This occurs because your body does not produce as much collagen and elastin as when you were younger.
Collagen and elastin are two important proteins that keep your skin firm and hydrated. Your skin can begin to lose elasticity and start to sag when the production of these proteins drops.
Dermal fillers are cosmetic injections that can add volume to your face and smooth out wrinkles. Also called cosmetic fillers, they are often made of hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring substance in the body that hydrates the skin by attracting water particles while also increasing flexibility.
Some dermal fillers contain calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA), which works well when treating deeper wrinkles. Cosmetic fillers can help:
- Plump up cheeks and lips
- Add volume to sagging skin
- Smooth creases and wrinkles
- Make facial features more symmetrical
The best candidates for dermal fillers are people in good overall health who have realistic expectations, who are not pregnant or nursing, and who are not allergic to the filler’s ingredients.
Types of Dermal Fillers
At our med spa, we offer different types of dermal fillers.
Restylane
Made from hyaluronic acid, Restylane is one of the best dermal fillers under eyes. It can also help with lip enhancement and adding volume to your cheeks. There are various types of Restylane fillers, and we can help you choose the best one for your needs.
Juvéderm
Juvéderm is another type of filler made with hyaluronic acid. It offers longer-lasting results than some others, and it’s one of the most effective options for dermal fillers lip treatments.
Radiesse
This is another good option for dermal fillers under eyes. It uses calcium hydroxylapatite instead of hyaluronic acid to provide results. It can also help your body create more natural collagen, making its effects last longer.
Revanesse
Revanesse is a cosmetic filler that uses Thixofix cross-linking technology to make it easier to inject and deliver long-lasting results. It can be an excellent option for contouring the face while adding volume to cheeks.
Preparing for Dermal Fillers
The process of getting dermal fillers begins when you schedule a consultation with us. During this visit, we will examine the potential treatment area and get your full medical history. Let us know of any allergies you have and if you take any supplements or medications that might interfere with the fillers.
We will also ask you about your goals so that we can decide which type of filler offers the results you want. For example, the dermal fillers lip options we offer may not be the right ones for treating under-eye issues, for example.
To prepare for the injections, we recommend that you avoid taking blood-thinning medications and supplements for at least a week. These can include:
- Aleve
- Motrin
- Aspirin
- Fish oil
- Ibuprofen
- Vitamin E
- St. John’s Wort
We also need you to avoid topical retinoids, retinol, and glycolic acid products. In addition, you should avoid waxing, bleaching, or tweezing the treatment area for at least two days before the injections. The day before the procedure, do not drink alcohol.
The Dermal Filler Procedure
On the day of your injections, come to our office without any makeup. To make you as comfortable as possible, we can apply a numbing cream to the treatment area.
The number of injections we administer depends on the treatment area we have identified. If we’re treating numerous areas, the procedure may take up to an hour. Once we finish, you can return to your day.
Recovery and Aftercare
Dermal fillers do not require any real downtime, although you may want to take it easy for the rest of the day. You can use an ice pack and take over-the-counter medications that are not blood thinners if you need to. Do not touch, scratch, or massage the treatment area so that you don’t move the filler substance around.
After a few hours, you can apply makeup. Avoid drinking alcohol for two more days, and don’t engage in activities that can raise your core temperature or make you sweat. Many people start seeing results immediately after their injections.
How Long Do Dermal Fillers Last?
Different fillers can last longer than others, and even the treatment area and your metabolism can affect the results. Some fillers last between 6 and 12 months, while others can last up to a couple of years. Dermal fillers under eyes, for example, can last anywhere from 7 to 18 months, while lip fillers can last just about 6 months.
Add Volume to Your Face with Cosmetic Fillers
Dermal fillers can help you regain the facial fullness you had in your youth. Options made from hyaluronic acid can even stimulate your body’s natural production of collagen and elastin. These minimally invasive treatments are affordable and long-lasting and produce results that you can enjoy for months at a time.
Begin the process of smoothing out wrinkles and adding volume to your face when you contact us at Rejuvenate Med Spa in Oak Brook, IL. Contact us to schedule your first appointment today.