Dermal Fillers: What You Need to Know

As we age, our face loses volume., so our once-plump lips can start to look a little thin and our cheeks can become hollow. During the aging process, you might also notice fine lines forming on your face and looser skin. Dermal fillers are an injectable treatment that can be applied around your face and eyes to restore volume to your face. By filling out your face with dermal fillers, you can enjoy a more youthful look that reflects how you feel inside.

Read on to learn more about dermal fillers and what this treatment looks like.

What are dermal fillers?

Dermal fillers are considered non-surgical injections that reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, thin lips, and loose skin. Dr. Praveen Buddiga, the founder of BUDDIGA Family Allergy | Skin | Immunology, uses multiple FDA-approved gels in these injectables. The gels used in dermal fillers are made of Hyaluronic Acid (HA), a naturally-occurring substance that delivers volume to your skin. By using different types of fillers, Dr. Buddiga can choose the best option for your needs based on the chemical makeup, target area, and texture.

How long do dermal fillers last?

Some dermal filler injectable treatments last longer than other options, like Botox. Your fillers may last up to twelve months and even longer depending on which formula you use and where the gel is injected.
On average, your dermal fillers will last between six months to a year. When you meet with Dr. Buddiga, he will review the filler type he chooses for each injection site. During this time, he can go over the expected length time of your fillers to last.

What are Dermal Fillers Used For?

Dermal fillers can be used in a variety of areas on your face. Dr. Buddiga will ask what you hope to get out of the treatment and can make recommendations based on your ultimate goals. A few common places for dermal fillers include:

• Eyes: remove crow’s feet from around your eyes and reduce the appearance of under eye hollows. You can also use dermal fillers in your upper eyelid to add volume to your eye area.
• Lips: return volume to your lips for a pleasantly-plump appearance. Lip fillers can fill in smokers’ lines and prevent lips from getting thin.
• Facial: restore volume to your cheeks to prevent sunk-in cheekbones.
• Acne scars: fill in scars so they are less noticeable and your skin looks smoother.
• Loose skin: add volume to your face that fills in the area underneath your skin. This prevents it from looking loose and hanging on your face.
• Jaw: prevent the appearance of marionette lines while improving your jaw and chin definition.
• Nose: reduce wrinkles around your nose while also removing eyebrow furrows.Forehead: reduce the appearance of wrinkles in your forehead that can make you look older or angrier.

While dermal fillers are primarily used on the face, some patients also request them to help with aging hands. Dr. Buddiga may be able to reduce fine lines and loose skin on your hands, giving them a more youthful look.

Types of Dermal Fillers Dr. Buddiga Offers?

There are different brands of dermal filler gels that Dr. Buddiga will use for your treatment. He will choose from these brands depending on where you will receive injections and what your goals are for the fillers. Get to know a few of the top FDA-approved fillers for wrinkle reduction.

• Restylane is a brand that prides itself on the flexibility of its gels. Patients can enjoy the same facial movements they had before the dermal fillers while avoiding an “overstuffed” look. Restylane has multiple gel types to treat fine eye wrinkles and cheeks.
• Juvederm targets your lips, mouth, and cheeks, giving you a youthful smile that makes you feel confident. Juvederm can give you plumper lips while reducing marionette and smoker’s lines.
• Radiesse injectables provide immediate results to patients who want to see fewer lines and tighter skin. The goal of Radiesse is to provide long-term anti-aging care to patients.
• Botox is one of the most recognizable brands of injectable fillers. These fillers typically last four to six months and can take a few weeks to see results. Dr. Buddiga may recommend Botox for first-time patients.

When is the best time to start getting dermal fillers?

Everyone gets dermal fillers at different times. Most people start to notice signs of aging in their 40s, which is when they seek out dermal filler treatment. The average age range for getting dermal fillers is between 40 and 55. However, some people in their 30s and even those in their 20s can start getting dermal fillers.
There are benefits of receiving a dermal filler treatment at a young age. You can develop a healthy anti-aging skin regime that you can stick with into your 50s. Additionally, this makes aging a preventative process, rather than a reactive treatment.

Seek out dermal fillers when you want them. You want to find a treatment that is right for your needs so you love how you look.

Choosing the right dermal filler for your needs?

The good news about dermal fillers is that you don’t need to be an expert on them. Dr. Buddiga has been providing injectable treatments to patients for more than a decade. He understands the different products and how they can help patients. Under his care, you can take advantage of treatments that are proven to result in fewer wrinkles and a fuller face without feeling like you have gel injections in your skin.

Are there any side effects?

On the whole, dermal fillers are incredibly safe. This is a non-surgical treatment and every hyaluronic acid gel is FDA approved. As long as you seek out a qualified professional to administer your injections – like Dr. Buddiga – then you are in good hands.

Any procedure you have comes with risks, and dermal fillers are no exception. A few potential side effects of this treatment include:

• Acne-like skin eruptions
• Bleeding at the injection site
• Bruising
• Infection
• Lumps
• Skin necrosis
• Rash, redness, or itching
• Swelling

In extremely rare cases, the filler may accidentally get injected into your blood vessels, which can lead to serious complications. Additionally, poorly-executed injections can lead to asymmetry and under or over-corrected wrinkles. This is why it’s so important to seek out an expert physician for your dermal fillers.

How soon will I see results?

Most patients see results within 24 to 48 hours of their dermal treatment. This allows time for any skin swelling to go down from the injection. The gel fillers are almost immediately noticeable, which is why many patients favor this type of treatment.

After you start to see results, your fillers can remain in place for up to a year or more.

Filler Longevity Based on Treatment Area

The longevity of your dermal fillers depends on the thickness of the hyaluronic acid gel. Thinner gels are used for more delicate areas and smaller spaces. For example, lip fillers and upper eyelid injections require thinner gels, whereas your cheeks may be able to handle thicker gels.

The thicker gels are more durable and will last longer, which means your fillers will remain in place. This is why it is impossible to give a concrete timeline for how long your fillers will last, it all depends on where and what you choose to have done.

In some cases, your fillers can remain in place for more than two years. This occurs when Dr. Buddiga chooses a thick gel and a trusted hyaluronic acid brand. Dr. Buddiga always works to develop a dermal filler treatment plan that will create lasting results

How you can make fillers last longer?

Every person’s skin is unique and there are multiple lifestyle factors that determine how long your dermal fillers will last. However, there are a few ways to potentially increase how long your fillers last – while also improving the look and feel of your skin.

• Stop smoking. Nicotine narrows blood vessels which means less blood gets to your skin. It also makes you pucker your lips and squint your eyes from the smoke, creating new lines.
• Stay hydrated and eat well. This ensures your skin stays healthy and you get the vitamins you need.
  Avoid exposure to the sun for long periods. Wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses when you are outside. Never leave the house without wearing sunscreen.
• Reduce stress in your life. Stress causes wrinkles when you furrow your brow or frown. Crying frequently can also make you look older. Use this time to take up a hobby you love while eliminating sources of stress from your life.
• Follow post-treatment instructions. Attend any follow-up appointments and follow Dr. Buddiga’s care guidelines to optimize the results of your treatment plan.

Even if you take the best care of your skin, these injections might not last as long as you would like. If you are concerned about how quickly the dermal fillers fade, discuss your worries with Dr. Buddiga, as he may be able to adjust the filler type to provide better results.

Schedule a Consultation With Dr. Buddiga

If you are tired of looking at thin lips and crow’s feet in the mirror, consider receiving a dermal filler treatment by Dr. Buddiga. He will create a customized treatment plan for you during his comprehensive examination and will recommend the right locations for your injections and gel consistency based on your goals.

Dr. Buddiga approaches each of his patients with courtesy and care. He will listen to you and address any concerns you have before your dermal filler treatment. Request a consultation today.

About Dr. Buddiga

Dr. Praveen Buddiga, the founder of BUDDIGA Family Allergy | Skin | Immunology, has trained and clinically rotated at some of the world’s best programs in allergy and immunology. He has decades of experience as a leading allergy and immunology expert, working with patients to reduce their allergic reactions and feel good in their skin. He now offers treatments to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, allowing patients to love how they look.