Aging is inevitable, as our bodies lose volume and tissue elasticity with time. However, that still doesn’t make it pleasant. Some people are bothered by the wrinkles and lines on their faces. Fortunately, injectable fillers will help replace the lost volume, smooth out wrinkles on your face, and bring back a youthful look.
Injectable fillers have been around for a long time. However, they have recently gained popularity mostly because many celebrities are open about using them to highlight their features. Choosing the right injectable fillers is essential in achieving the desired results.
This article will look at the types of injectable fillers available, who is eligible for injectable fillers, and the risks involved with injectable fillers.
Read on to learn more.
Table of Contents
What Are Injectable Fillers?
Injectable fillers, also known as dermal fillers, are gel-like substances injected under the skin to smooth out wrinkles, bring back lost volume, and boost facial contours. Injectable fillers are an effective way to look younger without surgery and without breaking the bank.
Types of Injectable Fillers
Different types of injectable fillers depend on longevity, chemical composition, and softness. For instance, you use soft fillers on the lips, while more robust fillers are used on the cheekbones.
Your surgeon or aesthetic provider will decide the best filler for you, depending on the areas you need filling.
Some of the most common injectable fillers include:
Calcium Hydroxylapatite
This is a compound found naturally in the body. It is used to volume in the face and enhances facial contours. Calcium hydroxylapatite is synthetically produced, reducing the risk of allergies as no animal or plant products are used. This injectable filler produces a natural result and does not migrate.
The purpose of this injectable is to stimulate collagen production, thus helping to firm and strengthen skin and tissues.
Hyaluronic Acid (HA)
HA is a naturally occurring compound in your body. It is one of the most popular facial injectable treatments. Hyaluronic acid is used in injectable fillers to enhance the skin contours and decrease the visibility of injury scars and lines.
This injectable works by attracting and maintaining moisture for plump, hydrated contours.
Polyalkylimide
This semi-permanent injectable filler treats deep wrinkles, depressed scars, and plump lips and replaces lost facial volume. It is also particularly helpful to people with facial wasting from HIV medications.
Polyalkylimide is biocompatible and has a little reaction with your tissues; thus, no allergy tests are required. It also does not interfere with X-rays as it is radio transparent. Moreover, you can remove this injectable filler if necessary as it is very stable.
Poly-L-lactic Acid
Poly-L-lactic acid is an artificial injectable filler that stimulates the body’s collagen production. This filler is best for the lower part of your face to plump up lips and reduce laugh lines. It’s a semi-permanent injectable filler; however, you may need some touch-ups after some time.
Unlike other injectable fillers, Polylactic acid does not produce instant results. It stimulates collagen production over time, and the results will appear gradually over a few months. You will also need at least three monthly treatments to get your desired results as it stimulates your collagen with each treatment.
Polymethyl-methacrylate Microspheres (PMMA)
PPMA is a semi-permanent injectable filler used on medium to deep wrinkles and scars and enhances thin lips. It’s often used when you need a more permanent solution to wrinkles and in permanent surgical implants.
The major disadvantages of this treatment are:
- You need more injections to get the volume needed
- It may take up to three months to get the desired results
- It may also be visible under the skin and needs a surgeon familiar with the proper technique
Frequently Asked Questions on Injectable Fillers
Who is eligible for injectable fillers?
For you to be a good candidate for injectable fillers, you must:
- Be in good health
- Have no medical conditions
- Have no active diseases
- Not be a smoker as smoking reduces blood flow
How do you know which injectable filler to try?
Your plastic surgeon will explain the right treatment for you depending on your problem. Sometimes you may have more than one injectable filler used to get the desired results. For instance, if you need plumper lips and more pronounced cheekbones, your doctor will use two types of filler.
What is the recovery time of injectable fillers?
Injectable fillers have a recovery time of one or two days depending on the patient, the target location, and the degree of correction done. For most people, you can have the procedure and get back to your routine within 48 hours with no downtime.
How long do injectable fillers last?
How long the results of the injectable filler last depends on the patient, the type of product used, and the area of treatment. The sturdier the product and the deeper it’s injected, the longer it lasts. Hyaluronic acid fillers are the most temporary and last from 6 to 18 months. Synthetic fillers like Polyalkylimide and Poly-L-lactic acid tend to last longer.
What are the possible side effects of injectable fillers?
There is risk in everything, including non-surgical procedures. Some possible side effects are swelling, bruising, pain, and redness of the area. These should go away within a few days, and your plastic surgeon should help you manage the side effects.
