The effects of visible aging can be tough for anyone to deal with. From issues like skin laxity and wrinkles to more nuanced concerns like thinning lips, it can be hard to resolve volume loss only by relying on at-home products. Luckily, the aesthetic experts at Cell Theory in Miami, FL know that dermal fillers can be an ideal solution for many of your aesthetic concerns.
What Are Dermal Fillers?
Fillers are injectable gel-like products that create artificial volume in the sub-dermal layers of the skin to restore skin volume, contour your appearance, and achieve other aesthetic goals. These injectable treatments are generally formulated with chemicals that mimic the natural hyaluronic acid in the skin and encourage natural collagen production for long-lasting results.
As an injectable treatment, your treatment can be customized to your precise aesthetic needs. You can use these products to address virtually all signs of visible aging, including fine lines, wrinkles, hollow areas of the face, and skin laxity. You can also use these products on most areas of the face to contour your appearance, including the nose, lips, cheekbones, chin, and jawline.
Your Filler Options
At Cell Theory, we offer several families of injectable products. Each filler has unique features and advantages, so we will help you select the product that is best for your aesthetic goals. Our treatment options include:
- Juvederm
- Restylane
- Belotero
- Radiesse
- Sculptra
Some injectable treatments are designed to reduce the visible effects of aging, while others are designed to contour the face. Based on the condition of your skin and your goals, you may need to use different fillers for different areas of the face. Products like Juvederm and Restylane have several formulations that can be tailored to your precise aesthetic needs.
How Do Fillers Work?
This treatment works by injecting a small amount of filler product into targeted areas of the skin to restore volume and contour your appearance. You can use these products on most areas of the face, although most people use them for the mid and lower face for volume restoration. Usually, your appointments will take about 20 to 30 minutes to complete.
During your treatment, your skin will be cleansed and prepared with a topical numbing cream. Many filler products are formulated with lidocaine for your comfort, but a topical cream can make your treatment even more comfortable. Your aesthetic expert will use about a full syringe or half a syringe to accomplish your aesthetic goals.
Preparation
Before your treatment, it’s important to prepare your skin for your appointment. You may be directed to temporarily stop using blood-thinning medications and herbal supplements, as well as avoiding the use of retinoids for a few days before your treatment. Your skin should be healthy on your appointment date, which means you may need to reschedule your treatment if you have any active skin condition like psoriasis or eczema.
Aftercare
After your treatment, you should not touch or rub your skin so you do not interfere with the filler product settling in the sub-dermal layers of your skin. You should also avoid excessive heat, hot water, steam, and sweating. You will be able to wear make-up after 24 four hours and you should be able to continue using your normal skincare products after at least 48 hours, including retinoids and chemical exfoliants.
How Soon Will You Get Results?
Most of the time, you will be able to see an immediate improvement in your appearance on your appointment day. This is because the product immediately uses its gel texture to pump up the volume in the sub-dermal layers of your face. Over the next few days, the filler product may be absorbed by the body and will become activated.
For some formulations, the hyaluronic acid in the product will attract water to the skin to keep the volume of the skin plush; for other formulations, the chemicals in the product will stimulate collagen production to restore skin volume. Most people will see optimal results within about one to two weeks. Your results may continue to improve for the next few weeks if you use certain formulations.
How Long Do Results Last?
The length of time you can expect results for a filler treatment will depend on the specific product you use for your treatment. Some formulations, particularly ones for the lips and mouth, may only produce results that last six to 12 months; other formulations, such as those used in the cheeks, can last for 12 to 18 months or more.
The fact that these treatments last for such a long time is one of the most attractive features of filler products. Many patients prefer to use these treatments instead of plastic surgery to produce the same results because injectable treatments have fewer side effects, can appear more natural, and produce results that last almost as long.
Who Are Good Candidates?
Candidates who are ideal for these treatments include people over the age of 21 who want to restore facial volume or contour their appearance. You should not be pregnant or allergic to any of the ingredients in these treatments. A consultation with our aesthetic experts will assess whether or not these products are appropriate for your goals.
Look Younger With Dermal Fillers
For the last few years, injectable treatments have been the preferred treatment for restoring a youthful appearance or achieving certain aesthetic goals. There are several filler options with unique formulas that can help you tailor your desired results. You can expect the results of these treatments to last for at least 12 months at a time.