facial fillers are synthetic or naturally occurring substances injected into the lines, folds, and tissues of the face to decrease the appearance of wrinkles and restore the
facial fullness that decreases with age.
the vast majority of
fillers are absorbable. thus, they offer temporary results that last from months to a couple of years, depending on the product and the person.
some
fillers are marketed as permanent and can last up to several years.
according to the american society of plastic surgeons, 2.7 million
facial filler procedures were performed in 2017 alone, an increase of 3 percent over the previous year.
while many
facial fillers provide immediate results, says the american academy of
dermatology (aad), some of them will require several treatments over the course of weeks or months for optimal benefits, followed by occasional touch-ups.
this gel-like substance is found naturally in the body. it’s used to “plump up” skin, adding volume to places like the cheeks and smoothing out wrinkles, especially around the eyes, lips, and forehead.
brand names include juvéderm and
restylane. because the body reabsorbs the hyaluronic acid gradually over time, results generally only last 6 to 12 months, reports the american board of cosmetic surgery (abcs). there have been some advances in the development of these
dermal fillers, and these will typically last 12 months or longer.
this filler uses calcium (in the form of microscopic particles) and adds it to a gel that is then injected. the gel is of a thicker consistency than ha, which makes it better suited for deep wrinkles, says the abcs.
the results of caha (brand name radiesse) tend to last about a year.
this biodegradable acid helps stimulate the skin’s own
collagen production, instead of “filling” wrinkles. this gives firmness to the skin and reduces the appearance of wrinkles.
marketed under the brand name sculptra aesthetic, this filler is used to treat deep wrinkles and increase the volume where fat has been lost. it works gradually, but can provide results for at least two years, making it a semipermanent filler.
this filler consists of tiny balls (called microspheres) and
collagen that plump up skin. it is known to have some issues, according to a journal article in plastic and aesthetic research.
although this type of filler (marketed under the name bellafill) is considered permanent, with results lasting five years, it’s usually not the first choice of doctors.
according to research published in aesthetics, long-acting
dermal fillers have higher rates of complications, such as infection and nodules.
autologous fat injections (fat grafting)
this technique takes fat from parts of your body, such as the buttocks, and injects it into
facial areas for filling.
this fat is typically removed from your body using
liposuction, a procedure in which fat is vacuumed out of the body via a hollow tube inserted through incisions in the skin.
this procedure requires sedation, and you may need a week or two to recover. in most cases, fat
grafting provides long-lasting results.
according to the aad, the following side effects — which tend to occur around the injection site
— can be immediate, but usually clear within 7 to 14 days:
● redness
● pain
● itching
● rash
rare side effects
while less common, you should be aware of the following side effects:
● infection
● leakage of the filler through the injection site
● nodules around the injection site, which may need to be surgically removed
● granulomas, a type of inflammatory reaction to the filler
● movement of the filler from one area to another
● injury to blood vessels
● blindness, which occurs when the filler gets injected into an artery, blocking blood flow to the eyes
● tissue death, again due to blocked blood flow