Enhancing Beauty Safely
If your face has lost the volume and smooth appearance it once had, there’s a way to get it back. Enter dermal fillers.
Dermal fillers, also known as cosmetic fillers, are gel-like substances injected into the face to restore volume and smooth wrinkles. Typically, dermal fillers contain hyaluronic acid, which is also found in facial serums, although other types of temporary fillers include calcium hydroxylapatite fillers and Poly-l-lactic acid fillers.
Having fillers is a relatively easy and pain-free procedure, though it doesn’t mean getting fillers is a decision to be taken lightly. There are plenty of benefits and downsides to consider as well as do’s and don’ts to bear in mind. To help you make an informed decision about cosmetic fillers, let’s dive into the facts.
The Pros and Cons of Dermal Fillers
Advantages
- Restore volume and smooth wrinkles: Dermal fillers can help you look more youthful by restoring volume to parts of your face that have sagged and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
- Improve self-confidence: It stands to reason that the better you look, the better you’ll feel. By restoring a more youthful appearance, you can get back the self-confidence you may have lost as a result of visible aging.
- Less invasive than plastic surgery: A full facelift that involves you going under general anesthetic can be time-consuming, expensive and risky. Dermal fillers typically only take 30 minutes and are more affordable and less invasive than plastic surgery.
Disadvantages
- Not permanent: Dermal fillers aren’t permanent, so you’ll have to have them replaced every 6-18 months, depending on how quickly the effects fade. This replacement can become expensive over time.
- Can become addictive: While fillers aren’t physically addictive like smoking or alcohol, you can become mentally addicted to the physical effects of dermal fillers.
- Potential side effects: Like almost every medical procedure, there can be negative reactions to cosmetic fillers for some, including allergic reactions. To prevent negative side effects as effectively as possible, choose a trusted and well-reviewed injector and consult with your doctor beforehand.
Cosmetic Fillers Do’s
Avoid Makeup, Exercise, Blood-Thinning Medications and Alcohol for 48 Hours
You shouldn’t take blood-thinning medicine, drink alcohol or exercise before or after your appointment. You can wear makeup to your appointment, but it’s pointless since the injector will remove it anyway. Once you’ve left, avoid putting makeup on the affected area for 48 hours.
Stay Hydrated
For best results and to keep your health (and skin!) in tip-top condition before and after the treatment, drink adequate water and stay hydrated.
Work with a Licensed Healthcare Provider
While dermal fillers aren’t as invasive as plastic surgery, things can still go wrong if the fillers aren’t injected properly. Work with a licensed healthcare provider who has the paperwork (and the positive reviews!) to back themselves up. Don’t be afraid to ask for pictures or testimonials from previous clients.
Learn About the Risks
Know about the risks before you go for your procedure to help yourself avoid them. If you’re nervous about the possibility of an allergic reaction, you can go for an allergy test beforehand. A chat with your licensed injector can put your mind at ease and help you stay informed about the risks.
Cosmetic Fillers Don'ts
Use Filler When You’re Too Young
The purpose of face fillers is to restore volume and smoothness that’s been lost, not to plump already youthful and line-free faces. Wait until you can see visible loss of volume or wrinkles on your face before opting for injectable fillers - otherwise, fillers can make you look older.
Get Dermal Fillers Too Often
You only need a top-up every six months at the absolute minimum - any more, and you’re getting too much filler.
Forget Your SPF
Just because filler makes you look younger, it doesn’t prevent the effects of aging from sun damage. Don’t forget to wear an SPF of at least 30 on your face every day for the best results.
Inject Yourself
As tempting as it can be if you’re short on cash, never buy self-injection kits from the internet. Filler MUST be injected by a professional, or you put yourself at risk of potentially fatal side effects like infections. If you haven’t got the money for fillers done by a professional, put off the procedure until you save up sufficiently.
Making the Right Choices About Dermal Fillers
Now that you understand the pros and cons of dermal fillers as well as do’s and don’ts, you can make an informed decision about whether or not to opt for these appearance-enhancing injectables.
Remember, the goal of dermal fillers is to restore lost volume, not create it, so make sure the signs of aging are present before opting for fillers.
Read on to learn about an ideal beauty routine.