What are dermal fillers?
Ageing reduces the amount of fat and collagen in the skin, leading to a loss of natural firmness. As the skin sags, it thins, making it vulnerable to wrinkles and lines, particularly around the eyes and mouth. Dermal fillers involve material being injected into the problem areas, to regain the plumpness that makes skin look and feel younger.
What are dermal fillers made of?
The material used varies between treatments, depending on whether they are considered either temporary or permanent. Collagen based fillers last for around three or four months, while those with calcium hydroxylapatite are usually good for around eighteen months. PMMA (polymethylmethacrylate) beads are permanent, but considered risky.
Why have these treatments?
Most people choose to have dermal fillers to look younger, fill in scar tissue left by acne, or to add definition to their features by tackling sunken cheeks or thinning lips. The treatments produce fast, almost instant results, which is appealing in itself. They are also cheaper, and less drastic, than full-on plastic surgery such as a face lift. These factors make fillers a good solution for those who wish to regain their youthful looks with minimum fuss and risk, albeit being temporary.
What happens during a dermal filler treatment?
Procedures tackling wrinkles and lines usually involve applying a local anaesthetic cream to the target area, making it numb enough to reduce pain when the needle is inserted. More sensitive areas such as the lips usually involve an injection of lidocaine, which creates the same numbness you have when the dentist injects your gum before a filling or extraction. Modern fillers have been developed which combine the nerve block with the gel, cutting out the need for local anaesthetic to be administered first.
Are dermal fillers safe?
Although this procedure is a hot topic currently, it has actually been a recognised treatment for over one hundred years. Originally, a patient’s own body fat, from their arm, was the only substance used, and although modern medicine calls on more synthetic fillers these days, there are still some doctors who focus only on fat transference.
In the mid 19th century, silicone and paraffin both featured as material for dermal fillers, until safety concerns led to them being dropped, and collagen became the most popular substance.
Safeguard procedures
Always choose a reputable, established professional to administer your dermal filler treatment. Looking for dermal fillers in Chiswick? Choose a practitioner who offers clear, honest and realistic advice on how to best prepare for the procedure, and how things will be afterwards, along with the risks and any potential side effects. Never go ahead with a procedure if you don’t feel entirely comfortable, for whatever reason.
There’s no doubt that having firmer, younger looking skin can boost confidence, and with the easy availability of affordable, safe, nonsurgical procedures such as dermal fillers, there’s no need to miss out. So if those lines around your mouth are spoiling your smile, you know what to do.
