Dermal Fillers: Everything You Need to Know

First things first: Dermal fillers are not to be confused with Botox, injectable drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration to smooth lines and wrinkles. The latter ‘freezes’ muscles to reduce wrinkles, while dermal fillers are injectable implants approved by the FDA to help smooth skin and wrinkles. As the name implies, they are injected beneath your skin using a needle.

Dermal fillers are used for cosmetic purposes and are meant to give volume and fullness to an individual’s skin. When used properly, these products diminish the most common signs of ageing such as facial wrinkles and skin folds.

We use Juvederm, which contains Lidocaine to help reduce any sensation of pain. Juvederm is the worlds leading brand of Hyaluronic acid facial filler.

Hyaluronic acid is naturally produced by your body and already found in your skin and cartilage. Generally, fillers made with hyaluronic acid last between 6-12 months.

Hyaluronic acid, which you may recognise as a common ingredient in some skincare products, is one of the most popular types of fillers. It helps skin retain moisture, hyaluronic acid can make your face look more plump and hydrated. It’s also used in lotions as a moisturiser, but no cream can restore lost volume, only injectable hyaluronic acid can do that.

It probably goes without saying, but safely should be your top priority when considering any medical procedure. Even though dermal fillers are available at medical spas, you should see only licensed and trained physicians for any injectable treatment. There are risks for issues like infection, discolouration and lumps if injections are done incorrectly.

Even non-surgical procedures have their risks. The most common side effects include bruising, redness, pain, or swelling, all of which should go away within two weeks. Less frequently, people might get raised bumps under their skin that need to be treated with injections or medications.

Although this is rare, the filler can accidentally be injected into a blood vessel and lead to blurred vision or permanent blindness. You should call your doctor or the hospital if your skin turns blue and you are in a lot of pain. These are two possible signs that filler is in your bloodstream. Again, this is why you want to see and experienced doctor who is skilled in performing the procedure.

According to the FDA, there’s no research showing that dermal fillers are safe for pregnant or breastfeeding people. So you want to hold off if you’re expecting a baby or recently had a child. And here’s one more thing to consider – avoid getting filler right before teeth cleaning or other dental treatment. These procedures require pressure and stretching of the face that could potentially misplace fillers. You can ask your doctor for their opinion regarding when it’s safe to get any future dental work during your consultation.

If you’re unhappy with the way filler looks, don’t panic – in most cases, you can have it adjusted. We might inject additional filler for balance, or we could dissolve it all together, depending on the type. The wonderful thing about hyaluronic acid fillers is that there’s an enzyme that can be injected into the area to dissolve the product, it just goes away. But when expertly injected, the filler should look natural.