Author: Dr. Oreste Di Mattei Di Matteo
Date: 20/01/2020
Facial fillers are useful cosmetic treatments to counteract the signs of skin ageing on the face.
Facial fillers are minimally invasive, practical and simple treatments, but above all they are almost free from side-effects and can offer natural results. The latest generation of facial fillers can be a useful way to reduce the effects of skin ageing with a volumising and plumping action of the epidermis.
Facial fillers: the non-surgical facelift Facial fillers deserve to be defined as a sort of modern, non-surgical facelift, even if the differences between the two procedures are significant.
While the traditional facelift, as we have seen, involves skin incisions which make the skin permanently more taut, facial fillers guarantee a more natural result, without having to make incisions or carry out significant changes to the appearance of the face.
Fillers are basically quick and painless micro-injections of substances that reach the deepest part of the skin, so as to obtain the desired results.
What are the most commonly used substances in facial fillers?
In the not too distant past, collagen was the most commonly used substance for fillers, whereas today hyaluronic acid, calcium hydroxyapatite or polylactic acid are preferred. Ongoing research, however, proposes various substances that can be adapted to the area to be treated.
Collagen
Collagen was the first approved filler for intradermal use. Derived from purified bovine collagen, it resembles human collagen. However, it is necessary to undergo a skin tolerance test before use as you may run the risk of allergies.
Collagen comes in various formulations that should be used depending on the depth of the wrinkles or the loss of firmness of the skin.
Facial fillers: hyaluronic acid The hyaluronic acid contained in the epidermal layer tends to reduce with age, making the external integration of it suitable in order for the desired anti-ageing effect to be guaranteed. Using hyaluronic acid (which plays a fundamental role in connective tissue) is a choice that helps ensure quality and safety. Hyaluronic acid can be injected as a facial filler, it can affect the elasticity and firmness of the skin, thus making this cosmetic treatment ideal for those who want to combat skin ageing.
Polylactic acid
A recent filler is polylactic acid. It is used more as a stimulator of collagen production than as a filler, so it is aimed at those who need to treat larger areas and maintain longer lasting results.
Calcium hydroxyapatite
Calcium hydroxyapatite fillers are used for a more comprehensive approach to the face and are not for the treatment of single wrinkles. These are resorbable fillers that, in addition to restoring volume and correcting the deepest wrinkles, stimulate the process of collagen production to ensure very natural results.
Facial fillers: the results
Facial fillers involve a series of sessions to be repeated over time, a few months apart. This is because the result is not as permanent as with a surgical facelift, but instead only temporary.
Facial filler: duration of treatment
The duration of facial filler treatment is temporary, and should not represent a limit, rather it should be considered an advantage.
Why is this so?
- Gradual cosmetic change over time: First of all, by changing the appearance of your face gradually, it is unlikely that friends, colleagues and others who you see regularly will perceive the change; for those who underwent the classic facelift surgery in the past, the changes in appearance were so drastic that it was clear you had undergone some form of cosmetic surgery
- Reduction of the risk of errors: Since the changes are gradual, and above all, because they are not permanent in nature the risk of errors is reduced, as any improvement to the appearance of the face is carried out over time, rather than in one clear and sudden procedure with a permanent result
- Natural results: facial fillers let you obtain more natural results, or in any event, in line your expectations
- Nourishing action: Facial fillers provide a moisturising and nourishing effect on the skin, and for this reason, they are different from surgical facelifts
Facial fillers: making your choice
As mentioned above, the main reason why men and women choose to undergo facial filler treatment is to counteract the signs of ageing, such as wrinkles and skin folds.
Facial fillers can be one of the solutions to counteract the signs of skin ageing and to make the skin of the face smoother and more plump.
Facial fillers: contraindications
When is the use of facial fillers not recommended? Among the major contraindications, are:
- allergy to the product
- presence of blood clots
- collagen disease
- pregnancy
- herpes
- skin diseases
- use of some drugs such as anticoagulants and NSAIDs
Facial fillers: not only for skin ageing If the anti-ageing effect is the main reason why we undertake such treatment, it is not the only one.
Facial fillers can also be used to:
- redefine the contours of the face
- provide greater volume
Women, for example, often request filler sessions on their lips, in order to make them softer and more voluminous.
Men, on the other hand, request fillers with volumising purposes almost exclusively for the cheekbones, a part of the face that actually, if carefully adjusted, can make the appearance of the face more attractive, and more "fresh" and youthful.
Experienced professionals and quality products Facial fillers are minimally invasive treatments that require an experienced and certified professional.
In order to choose facial fillers sensibly , you should rely on the experience and professionalism of the doctor who you have entrusted with the treatment.
Facial fillers are multifunctional cosmetic treatments and it is not out of the question that research in aesthetic medicine will lead to more and more manageable and useful treatments for other aesthetic applications.
