Believe it or not, facial fillers have been around for over three decades. So why has there been a sense of rediscovery of this treatment that makes it so popular today?
You don’t need to be Kylie Jenner or Katie Perry to start the conversation about dermal filler….even though the open and very public discussion does help reduce the stigma that’s surrounded these hyaluronic acid filler products for years. These celebrities have helped make facial fillers more widespread and have encouraged people to open up about using fillers to accentuate their features.
Despite this rise in popularity, many people still have questions about facial fillers and how they work. People mistakenly think of them as painful surgical procedures which will permanently disfigure the face. As a medical spa of 30 years, we know first hand that this couldn’t be further from the truth.
Whether you’re considering getting facial fillers or just curious about what they are, this blog will answer eight of the most common questions you might have about fillers.
1. What are facial fillers?
Facial or dermal fillers are injectables that can enhance your existing features and make your face appear more youthful by adding volume to thin, unstructured, or undefined areas of the face and body. Most signs of aging are associated with volume loss. As facial tissues become thinner, lines and wrinkles become more obvious. Dermal fillers help to soften these wrinkles and fine lines associated with aging. They also work beautifully to create fuller, plumper lips. With facial fillers, it’s easy to restore your youthful glow!
They are a gel-like substance that’s injected beneath the skin. Despite many misconceptions, facial fillers are a non-surgical procedure with minimal downtime. So you can enjoy your younger-looking skin almost immediately.
2. Are there different types of facial fillers?
There are several different types of dermal fillers. However, the vast majority of popular and effective facial fillers are made from Hyaluronic Acid (HA). This naturally occurring substance is already found in your skin and helps keep your skin plump. Because it’s found naturally in your body, these fillers will dissolve gradually over time.
Here’s an overview of some of the best facial fillers.
Juvederm
This is one of the most common HA fillers. Juvederm is rated the number one facial filler in the US and is made by the same company that makes Botox. You can choose from six different Juvederm filler options.
Juvederm Volbella targets fine lines and plumps lips proportionately for a subtle yet youthful look.
Juvederm Voluma helps to add volume and definition to your cheekbone and chin with long-lasting results.
Juvederm Volux is one of the hottest fillers on the market currently as it is approved for jawline definition. It is a beautiful product that really perfects the profile and provides men with a more chiseled appearance, or properly fills in and defines a woman’s jawline, in a beautiful natural way.
Restylane
Another popular HA dermal filler option is Restylane. This is formulated using Restylane’s innovative NASHA technology. This technology means that each product has a different particle size for a customized treatment depending on your goal.
One Restylane product is Restylane Lyft. This is the world’s first and only FDA-approved hyaluronic acid treatment to revitalize cheeks and hands. While Restylane Defyne helps improve chin and laughter lines while keeping your face’s natural expression and movement.
Sculptra
Sculptra uses Poly-L Lactic Acid rather than Hyaluronic Acid. This stimulates your body’s natural collagen growth, resulting in firmer, more youthful-looking skin with fewer wrinkles and lines.
3. How do I choose the best facial filler for me?
There are so many different types of facial fillers that it can feel overwhelming if you’re trying to decide on one for yourself.
The good news is that our qualified expert injectors can provide guidance about which facial filler is best for you and which will achieve your desired results. All of our clinics offer complimentary consultations where you can discuss your needs and be offered a personalized treatment plan.
Generally, you’ll want to consider where you want the facial filler injected, how long you want the treatment to last, what you want the effect to be, and how much downtime works for you.
4. What can facial fillers help with?
Part of what makes facial fillers so popular is that they can treat a wide variety of skin and age-related conditions.
This includes:
- Reducing fine lines and facial wrinkles.
- Filling out deep lines around the nose and mouth.
- Reducing laugh lines and nasolabial folds.
- Plumping lips.
- Restoring lost volume to cheeks, under-eye hollows, and jawline.
- Correcting acne scars and pitting.
5. Are there any risks and side effects?
Getting dermal fillers is a non-invasive, non-surgical procedure, and if done by a expert injector, should have few or no side effects. Common minor side effects include swelling, redness, or bruising at the injection site, which dissipates within one week post treatment.
Always make sure to read up on your pre- and post-care instructions, which will have detailed information on any side effects and how you can reduce them.
6. Are facial fillers painful?
Most facial filler procedures are routine and virtually painless. When the injections are given, it might feel uncomfortable but shouldn’t be painful. Treatment usually takes twenty to thirty minutes, so it has little impact on your day! We also offer many pain/anxiety management tools in office that can make the procedure more comfortable for you.
7. How long do facial fillers last?
Facial fillers are not permanent. Because they’re usually made of natural substances, they will eventually metabolize, and the effect will disappear. This is what makes staying on top of scheduled appointments so important, especially if you’re trying to build off your last result. You don’t want the filler result to dissipate fully and want to build off your previous results to reach your goals.
Filler can last between 6 months and 2 years, depending on the type of filler you get and where it’s injected. For example, Juvederm treatment usually lasts up to 18 months, while Sculptra can last up to 2 years.
8. Are facial fillers the same as Botox?
Although both are injected and non-invasive, facial fillers and Botox are very different.
Botox is a neuromodulator that freezes the muscles, which helps minimize wrinkles and lines caused by your facial expressions. It is most commonly used to treat frown lines (aka 11s), forehead lines and lines around and eyes (aka crow’s feet).
However, facial fillers add volume and plump the skin to reduce the impact of lines and wrinkles. They are most commonly injected in the mid to lower face (cheeks, chins, jawline and lips).
So, although there are similarities, facial fillers and Botox work very differently on different areas of the face.
Things to remember
When thinking about facial filler and whether it’s right for you, it’s also important to remember to do your research on where and who you are going to trust with your face. Although you may be tempted to choose a cheaper clinic or injector, be wary that they may not come with as much experience. That certainly doesn’t mean most expensive is best either, it just means: do your homework. Meet an injector who feels like the right fit for you. Choosing the right injector the first time results in savings of time, energy and money.
When you are paying for facial fillers, you aren’t paying for the product itself – you are paying for the experience and expertise of the injector. Don’t trust your face to just anyone!
Facial fillers in Denver
Facial Aesthetics is a leading med spa with locations in Denver, Golden Greenwood Village and Superior. Offering leading skin care and a wide range of treatments in injectables, as well as CoolSculpting and CoolTone for the body. Led by internationally acclaimed board-certified plastic surgeon John A. Grossman, MD, and Certified Aesthetic Nurse Specialist, Pamela Hill-Grossman, RN, CANS, you can be sure you’re in qualified and experienced hands. We have been a leader in the medical skin care industry since 1992 and are dedicated to helping people feel empowered about how they look!
Our highly trained staff can offer you a program tailored to your needs. Our team of certified nurse specialists and physician assistants can recommend the best facial filler for you and your desired results.
If you are interested in enhancing your natural look, have a look at our range of dermal fillers. Or book a free consultation with one of our top clinicians for expert guidance and advice on which one to choose.
