Dermal fillers: everything you need to know

Did you know that health professionals like dentists can undergo specialist training to administer facial aesthetics like dermal fillers? We’re so excited to be able to provide effective facial rejuvenation for our patients, but we bet a lot of you have some questions about dermal fillers. They’re mentioned a lot in the media, in magazines, and even sometimes by our friends, but how much do you really know about them?

Let our team at Crescent Lodge Dental Practice in London answer all of your questions about dermal fillers!

What are they, and what are they made of?

Dermal fillers are an injectable treatment that add and replenish volume in areas of the face. They are made of hyaluronic acid, a sugar that also naturally occurs in the body, to increase skin volume, laxity, and plumpness.

Are they safe?

Dermal fillers are incredibly safe for injectable and aesthetic uses. Because they are made of this naturally-occurring sugar, the body accepts the filler with no complaint. The filler breaks down and dissolves over time, which again is perfectly safe, because the body just recycles the acid with no disruption to your system. The sugar is naturally occurring, and therefore naturally dissolving.

What areas can they treat?

Dermal fillers restore and add volume to areas of facial tissue in the mid-to-lower face. Areas like the cheeks, nose-to-mouth lines, and the lips are extremely popular areas of treatment because of how effectively they are rejuvenated with this treatment. Using dermal fillers, we contour and structure the cheeks, smooth nose-to-mouth lines by filling the excess folding skin, and plump and define the lips.

Are they different to wrinkle reduction injections?

Both dermal fillers and wrinkle reduction injections work to rejuvenate the face, but they both work very differently. Wrinkle reduction injections relax the muscles that are causing fine lines and wrinkles in overly expressive areas like the forehead, frown lines, and crow’s feet. They cause the muscles beneath the skin to contract a little less, smoothing out the signs of ageing. Dermal fillers, on the other hand, are used in facial tissue to replenish lost volume. As we age our skin loses the proteins that keeps it firm, plump, and youthful, and it falls and sags. Dermal filler works to replace this lost volume by subtly plumping the affected area, giving a natural yet fresh appearance.

Can dermal filler smooth lines, too?

Technically, dermal fillers can be used to smooth lines in specific areas, in particular the nose-to-mouth lines. These occur when we lose volume and structure in our cheeks and they fold forwards. We replenish this structure by using dermal fillers to ‘fill’ this loose skin from the inside, lessening how much of it can fall forwards and create these unwanted lines. It doesn’t target the lines here, but really addresses the skin that is causing the lines.

Do dermal fillers hurt?

Not at all! You may feel some minor discomfort and a little pinch as the needle penetrates the skin, but otherwise there should be no pain.

Are there any side effects?

Dermal fillers are a very simple and straight-forward procedure, but they do come with a few side effects that are common and completely normal. For example, the injected area may be swollen for a day or two after treatment, but ice packs and anti-inflammatory tablets are perfectly safe to use. You may also experience some minor bruising where the injection punctured the skin, but these can be covered with mineral makeup and typically subside within a day or so.

Dermal fillers are a great way to rejuvenate and refresh the face, especially if you’re experiencing lost volume through ageing. We can achieve subtle and natural-looking results for our patients, so why not book your consultation today?

Enquire online or speak to a friendly member of staff on 020 7622 5333 today.

Contact Our Dentists in Clapham Today!

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