What Are Dermal Fillers And Are They Better Than Cosmetic Surgery?

Remember the polyjuice potion from the Harry Potter series? It is a complex concoction that could alter your appearance completely to resemble the person you wanted to mimic. Dermal fillers are close to this magical concoction in that they may not drastically change your appearance to mimic someone else, but they can alter your facial features to give you a better overall aesthetic appeal.

Well, let’s get back to reality before you lose focus and start fantasizing about wizards and witches.

Eyeing those plump lips on your favorite celebrity’s Instagram page will only get you so far. Maybe your best friend is naturally blessed with those full cheeks and smooth skin and you can’t help but get a wee bit jealous. We have just the solution tailored to your needs and that is dermal injectable fillers. Yes, dermatology has given a gift to the world in the form of injectable soft tissue fillers which are injected into the skin at various depths to restore a smoother appearance. These subtle fillers work in a way that it appears as if there was no treatment at all and your features still get toned up. Sounds too good to be true? Read on to find out why we are not kidding.

As we age, it is completely normal to lose subcutaneous fat which makes the facial muscles work closer to the skin surface. This leads to visible crow’s feet and facial wrinkles as we know it. But, aging is not the sole reason as to why people start looking older. Facial skin easily gets affected by lifestyle choices and external factors such as sun exposure and even heredity reasons. 

Dermal fillers are injectable beauty treatments that are often available at reputed cosmetic surgery clinics and institutes. Such fillers are helpful with many issues from facial lines and baggy eyes to skin tightening and jawline contouring. The latest injectable fillers are easily accessible and last longer than other treatments like botox. Surprising eh? We know it is. But doing your homework and choosing a reputable doctor can make all the difference to your experience with dermal fillers. 

So before getting all p(l)umped up, let us dive into all there is to know about dermal fillers so that you get the best treatment and value for your bucks.

Various Types of Fillers And Why Do They Exist?

As with other cosmetic treatments, dermal fillers are target specific and each type of dermal filler works on a particular problem area. So, each dermal filler serves its unique purpose to help you with your facial rejuvenation for a youthful glow. 

Let us look at the various types of dermal fillers and what specific issue they can attack –

1. Calcium hydroxylapatite (Radiesse)

   This naturally occurring, mineral-like compound is found in human bones and is often used to cure creases caused by issues such as nasolabial folds, marionette lines, and frown lines. This is the one used for giving fuller cheeks and other facial contours. As facial wasting occurs in HIV positive patients, this treatment is used for improving the facial volume in affected areas. 

   There is no skin testing required as this compound is prepared biosynthetically for treatment purposes. Also, no animal products are used in production, thereby reducing the chances of allergic reactions. Radiesse is known to give very natural results and the side-effects of this treatment are also very rare. It has a long safety record as it was extensively used for dentistry and reconstructive purposes before it became an injectable treatment.

2. Hyaluronic acid (Juvederm)

   Hyaluronic acid is the magic chemical behind most filler injections used for contouring and removal of scars and lines from the face which leads to dramatic improvement after the treatment. This is a popular compound also used in injections for aching joints for people with arthritis for extra cushioning. Treatments such as Captique, Esthélis, Elevess, Hylaform, Juvederm, Perlane, Prevelle, Puragen, Restylane make use of this chemical compound. 

3. Polyalkylimide (Aquamid)

   This is a semi-permanent filler as it can be removed later if needed. It is used for treating deep wrinkles, plumping up thin lips, and also for enhancing cheekbones and the jawline. Polyalkylimide is almost non-reactive with the human tissue which makes it bio-compatible. Even a single sitting can inject large amounts of volume as a collagen layer is formed gradually over a month.

4. Polylactic acid (Sculptra)

   This synthetic dermal filler is a type of stimulator which causes the body’s natural production of a layer of collagen over time. It works wonders specifically in the lower half of the face, and it is non-toxic. The treatment Sculptra which makes use of this chemical is perfect for correcting laughing lines and treating deep nasolabial folds. As collagen production needs to be re-stimulated from time to time, it can take about three monthly treatments and occasional touch-ups for achieving the desired results.

5. Polymethyl-methacrylate microspheres (PMMA) (Bellafill)

   This is a more permanent solution to facial wrinkles and pitted scars. Apart from these, it is a multi-purpose filler as it is often used to treat folds, furrows, and for fuller lips. Because it can create large volumes just with a small amount, it is generally given in smaller doses over a while. This makes it a time-taking treatment as it requires more than one injection to create the desired volume. Being a rather peculiar treatment, this demands the expertise of an experienced surgeon who knows how to inject the filler at the dermal subcutaneous junction using threading or tunneling methods.

For more information on the costs of these injections, their longevity, the risks involved in such treatments, and where to find the best surgeon, read this.

It is important to note that dermal fillers are temporary solutions and will need on-going revisions to achieve long-term results. Soft-tissue fillers cannot replace cosmetic surgery where it is needed for instance – facelift and brow lift is better than temporary fillers if you are looking for a lasting change. 

While it is good to know about all the various types of fillers to make an informed decision, do not consider this information as a substitute for the guided consultation which only an experienced dermatologist can provide. Also, please do not rush yourself into any procedure before being completely certain about its results and suitability for your case.

We recommend consulting an expert dermatologist before you make your next move. If you don’t find the answers you are looking for, do give us a call at 805-491-9535, and we will schedule your consultation with one of our Camarillo, California based board-certified dermatologist consultants at Pacifica Center for Plastic Surgery.