Curious About Dermal Fillers?
Dermal Fillers are one of the most popular cosmetic procedures performed in the United States. Millions of these procedures are performed every day and they have become more popular than traditional cosmetic surgery to achieve results in a much less invasive way. There are a few different types of dermal fillers offered at S. Thetics Medspa, so there are always questions about the differences between the different formulas and which one is best suited for individual concerns.
At S. Thetics, we like to provide as much information as possible to our community, whether you are a Lawrence, Kansas local, or visiting from across the globe!
For someone that is new to the world of dermal fillers, it can be overwhelming once you begin to research. So, to start off, let’s talk about what dermal fillers are used for. Most commonly, dermal fillers are used to plump and lift the skin. Once injected, these fillers will rebuild collagen that has been lost over time. It is natural for skin to lose collagen as we age, which is why we begin to see skin laxity and fine lines and wrinkles around our face and neck as we get older. We also lose bone density as we age.
To put it simply, dermal fillers fill depressions in the skin to smooth out texture and restore volume. Dermal fillers are most commonly used in areas where wrinkles or folds are more pronounced in the skin and in the hollow areas below the eyes. Dermal fillers are also commonly used to enhance areas of the face, such as the lips, jawline, and chin to make them fuller and more pronounced, as they once were in our youth.
Something that is commonly mistaken for dermal fillers is Botox.
However, Botox and Dermal Fillers are two completely different treatments with different results.
There are two different kinds of wrinkles, dynamic wrinkles, and static wrinkles. We also offer Botox and Dysport at S. Thetics for the treatment of dynamic wrinkles caused by facial movements, squinting, smiling, or furrowing of the brows. Botox and Dysport are used to smooth existing lines caused by movement and as a preventative treatment to inhibit deeper lines from forming. Botox and Dysport work by temporarily blocking signals from the nerves to the muscles where they are injected. By doing this, the muscles cannot contract, which relaxes and softens wrinkles in the area injected. When the muscles in the face are not contracted, wrinkles are not likely to form. Dermal fillers, on the other hand, have no effect on the muscle. Dermal Fillers are used on static wrinkles, which are caused by the natural aging process. Aging naturally results in the breakdown of collagen and elastin. These static lines are formed regardless of muscle action. Dermal fillers are made of acids, most commonly hyaluronic acid, which is found naturally in the body, but depletes as we age. Dermal fillers add volume and smooth lines and areas that have become hollow.
We offer multiple types of Dermal Fillers at S. Thetics.
Some of the most popular include Restylane and the entire Galderma group of dermal fillers, including Sculptra and the RHA Collection by Revance, an exclusive line of dermal fillers to the United States and S. Thetics from Europe. These fillers are made of a natural substance called hyaluronic acid. This is a chemical found in the body that helps increase the production of collagen and elastin and boosts elasticity. When you come to S. Thetics, our team of trained nurse injectors will listen to you and assess your concerns to determine which option is best for you, depending on your desired outcome. Dermal fillers are meant to be very versatile and tailored to each individual. They are definitely not one size fits all!
Something that can be daunting to someone that has never gotten dermal fillers is the injection process. Any time there is a needle involved, people tend to ask about the pain level and whether it is worth the pain. At S. Thetics, we make the procedure as comfortable as possible for our patients. When you come in for a dermal filler appointment at S. Thetics, we always start off by applying a topical, pharmaceutical compounded numbing cream to numb the area. This helps to significantly reduce any discomfort caused during the injection process. Once the area is numb, the injections begin. Most dermal fillers also contain lidocaine, which will keep you comfortable throughout your treatment as well. The duration of this process will differ for everyone and will depend on the area or areas being treated, but most appointments take anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour from start to finish.
One of the many benefits of dermal fillers is that there is no downtime following the injections. Once the injections are complete, you can leave the office and resume life as usual. However, swelling is common, especially within the first few days. At S. Thetics, we recommend using cold compresses following your procedure to reduce swelling. You may also experience mild bruising at the injection sites. This is also completely normal, and any bruising will typically fade within the first few days. S. Thetics also carries an excellent product by Alastin that helps prevent and minimize swelling or bruising. The results from dermal fillers can be seen immediately but can sometimes seem more drastic immediately after the injections due to swelling. Within 2 - 5 days, depending on the person and how much filler was used, any swelling and bruising will be healed, and you will be able to see your end result.
Like many aesthetic treatments, dermal fillers require maintenance to do just that…. maintain the results you originally sought and that were achieved from your initial treatment(s). Dermal filler WILL dissolve naturally and completely on its own if you let it. Everyone’s body metabolizes the hyaluronic acid from dermal fillers differently. Typically, dermal filler treatments should be repeated every 6 to 18 months. Besides how your own body breaks down filler, its longevity also depends on what filler was used by your nurse injector and in what area of the face it was injected. Some dermal fillers have much more "staying power" than others and some dermal fillers dissolve much faster in some areas of the face than others. For instance, around the mouth (perioral lines or thinning lips). Typically dermal filler is used on those pesky vertical lines around the mouth, and also to fill in or enhance the lips. Because we use our mouths so much every day to talk, eat, chew and drink, especially when puckering up using straws, the dermal filler will break down and dissolve in this area faster than it would in the mid-face area, where dermal filler may have been used to restore volume lost in the cheek area due to natural bone loss. The cheek area does not naturally move as much as the area around the mouth. Therefore, dermal filler can last up to 18 months and sometimes longer in the mid-face. Some dermal fillers have a two-year indication and we have definitely seen this in our patients. So yes, just like many other aesthetic treatments, regular upkeep is required because no treatment can stop the natural aging process.
Even with the use of anti-aging and preventative practices, time will inevitably march on... right across our face as we like to say at S. Thetics! We are always very upfront and honest with all of our patients at S. Thetics Medspa & Wellbeing. Dermal filler, along with other common anti-aging treatments are never one-and-done procedures and do require general upkeep. By rebuilding collagen and slowing down the aging process over time, these treatments and procedures aid in achieving and preserving a naturally youthful, healthy appearance.
When booking your dermal filler appointment at S. Thetics, we recommend consulting with one of our expert nurse injectors to thoroughly go over the treatment, along with a few pre and post-care dos and don’ts to make your experience as seamless and enjoyable as possible. The S. Thetics team is here to answer any questions you may have about dermal fillers, and we love educating others on skin health and wellbeing! Our number one goal at S. Thetics Medspa & Wellbeing is to achieve optimal results and ensure that every patient leaves happy! When our patients are happy, we are ecstatic! S.Thetics Medspa & Wellbeing will thoroughly assess your specific concerns to help you achieve any of your skincare goals. Dermal filler is just one of the treatment options available to address your unique skincare goals. Dermal filler is a great place to start your skincare and wellbeing journey with S. Thetics Medspa & Wellbeing.