Dermal Fillers 101

By
Dr Siew
-
2
2276

Fillers are used to restore lost volume anywhere on the body, mostly secondary to aging. And I like it. It easy fast to deploy in good hands and there is virtually no down time.

Dermal Fillers: A Little History

Fat was used as the first filler materials. In the later part of the 19th century, fat from another part of the body was used to fill volume in patients after trauma. Fat transfer was, in fact, the most commonly used filler in the 20th century. In the 1970s, collagen, made from bovine (cows and bulls) sources, became the filler of the day. However, as foreign materials, collagen had the potential to cause allergic reactions, and its effects are short lasting.

Fillers Boom

By the 1990s, the aging baby boomers, with the demand for less downtime and instant, natural looking results, fueled an explosion in the filler arena. Many materials were being explored as candidates for fillers material. Hyaluronic acid fillers, now considered the ‘gold standard’ in soft tissue augmentation, was developed around this time as well.
Today, mention the word ‘fillers’ and even in-the-know physicians get a headache. New products are being developed fast and furious, each claiming superiority!


Keeping it Simple

Fillers can broadly be classified into 2 large groups: permanent, and non-permanent. Each of these have their own advantages and disadvantages. Non-permanent fillers are generally safer, look more natural, and will not leave permanent disfiguration should the result be less than ideal. However, they are associated with higher costs in the long term due to the need for repeat treatments. It is important to discuss at length with your doctor the pros and cons of each before proceeding with treatment.

 

Results

Fillers can be used in many areas in the face. They can be used to soften lines, such as the nasolabial fold, lines around the mouth, or deep set wrinkles such as frown lines.
They are used to restore lost volume (secondary to aging) on the cheeks, under the eyes

They are also commonly used to enhance the lip contour or plump up the lips. (think Angelina Jolie!)

dermal fillers facial sculpting

A relatively newer use for fillers are to augment the features of the face: to create a more pronounced chin, or fuller cheeks; or a better looking nose even!

 

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2 COMMENTS

  1. (For Hyaluronic fillers) – During the first few days, molding is still possible.. it can shift slightly.. but after a few days, it fixes to the tissues and shouldn’t move anymore.. <BR/><BR/>Permanent fillers, on the other hand may migrate after some time.

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