The four major structural components of our face are skin, fat, muscle, and bone. As we age, volume loss in these structures contributes to many of the visible signs of aging. Dermal fillers may help.
Over time, age-related bone loss in the face can lead to retraction of the jawline, descent of the nose, and loss of high cheekbones. The facial muscles also decrease in volume and elasticity, and deflation and movement of facial fat further accentuates the signs of aging. Finally, the skin stretches and loses elasticity — compounded by the loss of scaffolding provided by fat, muscle, and bone, this leads to wrinkles, sagging skin, and other familiar signs of aging.
Anti-wrinkle injections Melbourne
Dermal fillers, an injectable treatment performed in a doctor’s office, can help smooth lines and replenish lost volume, restoring a more youthful appearance.
What are dermal fillers?
Dermal fillers are soft, gel-like substances that are injected under the skin. They can address a number of common concerns including smoothing of deep under-eye circles, lifting of cheekbones, volumization of the lips, smoothing of lip lines and nasolabilal folds (the creases that run from the side of the nose to the corners of the mouth), and rejuvenation of the hands.
1. What exactly are dermal fillers?
First things first: Dermal fillers are not to be confused with the common brand of injectable drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration to smooth lines and wrinkles. The latter “freezes” muscles to reduce wrinkles, while dermal fillers are injectable implants approved by the FDA to help smooth skin and wrinkles. As the name implies, they are injected beneath your skin using a needle.
According to the FDA, there are four categories of fillers. Each is named for the type of material they’re made with:
Hyaluronic acid is naturally produced by your body and already found in your skin and cartilage. Generally, fillers made with hyaluronic acid last between 6-12 months.
Calcium hydroxylapatite is a mineral that is found in our bones. Fillers made with this material last up to 18 months.
Poly-L-lactic acid is a biodegradable synthetic material that’s also used to make medical products like dissolvable stitches. These fillers may last up to two years.
Polymethylmethacrylate beads are the only filler that can’t be absorbed by your body, meaning the results are permanent. They’re only used around the mouth.
Hyaluronic acid, which you may recognize as a common ingredient in some skincare products, is one of the most popular types of fillers, explains Jenny Kim, M.D., Ph.D, professor of dermatology, medicine, and nutrition at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Because it helps skin retain moisture, hyaluronic acid can make your face look more plump and hydrated. It’s also used in lotions as a moisturizer, but no cream can restore lost volume—only injectable hyaluronic acid can do that. Juvéderm and Restylane are two popular name brand hyaluronic fillers that you may have heard of.
2. How do I know which dermal filler to try?
A good doctor will explain the ideal treatment plan for you, but know that the most natural-looking results may require more than one type of filler. There are many different brands of fillers within each category, and the products vary in how they should be used—like filling out cheeks—and concentration of the active ingredient.
Approved Uses of Dermal Fillers:
The FDA has approved dermal fillers for use in adults 22 years of age or older (over the age of 21) for specific uses:
Absorbable (temporary) fillers are approved for moderate to severe facial wrinkles and skin folds, such as nasolabial folds (lines extending from the sides of the nose to the edges of the mouth) and perioral lines (small wrinkles in the skin around the mouth and lips).
Augmentation (increased volume) of lips, cheeks, chin, and back of the hand.
Non-absorbable (permanent) fillers are approved for only nasolabial folds and cheek acne scars.
The restoration and correction of signs of facial fat loss (lipoatrophy) in people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
Correction of contour deficiencies, such as wrinkles and acne scars.
Unapproved Uses of Dermal Fillers:
The FDA recommends against using dermal fillers or any injectable filler for body contouring and enhancement to:
Increase breast size (breast augmentation)
Increase size of the buttocks
Increase fullness of the feet
Implant into bone, tendon, ligament, or muscle
Inject the glabella (area between eyebrows), nose, periorbital area (around the eyes), forehead, or neck
These uses for dermal fillers have not been approved by the FDA.
