Injectable fillers

Ageing is a constant process and many visible signs start to amplify the ageing process. The visible signs of ageing are due to a loss of volume in skin. with ageing, the facial tissues thin out causing the formation of lines around the nose, mouth and eyes. The cheeks appear to look a little hollow. Dermal fillers help in replacing the lost volume to smoothen wrinkle lines and plump up the lips thereby restoring a youthful appearance.

3 simple steps to Lip Augmentation

WHAT ARE THESE INJECTABLE DERMAL FILLERS?

Dermal fillers are transparent gel like substances that are injected first beneath the skin to restore lost volume and to smoothen out lines caused by ageing.

HOW DO INJECTABLE FILLERS ENHANCE THE APPEARANCE ?

Not only do these dermal fillers smoothen out wrinkle lines around the nose and mouth, they help in restoring the lost volume in the cheek region and plump up the lips. They also help improve symmetry of facial features.

WHAT ARE FILLERS MADE OF ?

There are a variety of fillers available in the market and in the armamentarium which are currently being used by certified plastic surgeons.
  • Hyaluronic Acid (HA) Filler
  • Calcium Hydroxyapatite (Ca HA)
  • Polylactic Acid
  • Poly Methyl Methacrylate Acid (PMMA)
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    Hyaluronic Acid (HA) Filler :-

    These are the most popular and commonly used fillers the world over. hyaluronic acid is a natural substance found in the skin that helps keep it plump and hydrated. These fillers are transparent in appearance and gel like. These typically last for a period of 6-12 months in the body before the body’s defense mechanism begins to disintegrate these substances. The most commonly used fillers are BELOTERO JUVEDERM RESTYLANE

    Calcium Hydroxyapatite (Ca HA) :-

    This substance is naturally found in the bone. It is available and injected in a gel form. As its consistency is thicker, it lasts for about 12 months in the body. It is used to correct deeper lines and wrinkles. Apart from replenishing the lost volume, it helps in stimulating collagen thereby restoring the youthful appearance of the skin. FDA approved CaHA fillers are Radiesse.

    Polylactic Acid :-

    Polylactic acid is a biocompatible substance which has been used in the medical field as absorbable sutures. Poly-L lactic acid stimulates collagen production. These fillers are typically used to fill deeper lines and wrinkles. They are known to last for more than 2 years. FDA approved Polylactic acid fillers are SCULPTRA AESTHETIC

    Poly Methyl Methacrylate Acid (PMMA) :-

    PMMA is a biocompatible fillers that are known to last for a longer period of time. They take the form of microspheres or a tiny ball to provide support, structure and firmness to the skin FDA approved PMMA fillers are ARTEFILL

    You ask, we answer.

    Yes. You may find a circular scar around the areola which is barely visible and an inverted J shaped scar on the underside of the breast which will fade with strict adherence to scar modulation protocol (scar reduction creams, scar massages, silicone gel sheets and lasers if required)

    As the name suggests, one’s own fat is harvested only to be reinjected into areas needing to be enhanced or filled. Fat once harvested is processed and purified and then reinjected into the face to help restore lost volume in the cheeks, temples and around the eye. Nanofat injections are a newer technique wherein very tiny aliquots of fat are injected helping in the majority of fat to survive. The results of fat grafting last for many years.

    It’s the only filler which is a surgical procedure and needs to be done by a certified Plastic Surgeon as it needs specialized training and experience.



    Just as choosing the right kind of filler for treating specific areas is important, so is choosing the right doctor for your treatment. Although filler injections are non-surgical, a thorough knowledge of various products and experience is needed to ensure safe and natural results. Your team of surgeons need to possess a thorough knowledge of anatomy and must have an aesthetic eye to meet your requirements. It is their skill and precision which makes results beyond satisfactory

    Only choose those surgeons who are board certified with a specialized training in filler injections. Do not hesitate to ask before and after photographs to ascertain that you are in the right hands.



    There are many dermal fillers available in the market. Some are FDA approved and some are not. Some have a good safety record, whilst some don’t. Hence it is very important to stick to the FDA approved fillers which your team of surgeons will guide you on. Each of the products are differently formulated to have a specific texture, density, and injection depth. Hence certain fillers worth best at certain depths and indications for a dermal filler vary depending on the density of the fillers. Your team of surgeons will guide you in choosing the right filler. For a general awareness, the below diagram illustrates the use of various fillers in different regions of the face. 




    Being a non- surgical treatment, the injection is completed as an outpatient procedure. Your team of surgeons will consult you seeking information on your concerns. A thorough medical history is taken to rule out any allergies.

    You may be asked to stop blood thinners for a week or so, should one on these medications, as these increase the chances of blood clot formation and bruising.



    The area to be filled is cleansed with an antiseptic solution and a numbing injection may be given first before the filler injection. Currently most manufacturers are incorporating Lidocaine into the composition to reduce the discomfort associated with the filler injection. Your surgeon will place the filler in the precise location just beneath the skin. A mild massage may be given to even out the result and smoothen the contours in the injected area. You will see the result almost immediately after the injection. Swelling may last for a couple of days in which case you may be prescribed an analgesic and an anti-inflammatory medication. Most patients return back to worn on the same day on the next day.  Heavy exercises and strenuous activities may be restricted for a couple of days.

     

    In general, the denser the product, the more deeply the filler is injected and the longer it will last. But this need not be the hard and fast rule. Hyaluronic fillers are a temporary option and therefore recommended for the first time patients. Typically results of Hyaluronic acid fillers last for 6-12 months. Injections in the lips last for a little shorter time than fillers given in the nasolabial folds. Fillers given for the cheeks are denser products and hence may last for up to 2 years.Synthetic fillers last longer as they aren’t absorbed by the body. They could be a good option provided the patient understands his/her team of surgeons and their aesthetic sense. Fat injections may last indefinitely, but however 30% of fat tends to get absorbed over time and hence the injection may have to be repeated.