Debunking Myths about Dermal Fillers
Before(l) and After(r)
Dermal fillers are gel-like substances that can be injected by medical professionals. Also called “soft tissue fillers”, they are typically used to restore lost volume, smooth out wrinkles, or otherwise enhance facial contours. They are the second most common non-surgical aesthetic procedure (after botulinum toxin injection), with millions of injections being performed yearly in the United States alone.
Myth #1: All dermal fillers are essentially the same.
Not only are there differences from brand to brand, but even different formulations within one brand. Some of the ways in which dermal fillers differ include:
- Some of the most common and versatile fillers are made of Hyaluronic Acid (HA), which is a substance found naturally in the human body. Injectable HA is manufactured and crosslinked chemically in order to allow it to last longer in the body. The amount of crosslinking and the type of crosslinking affect how the filler looks and performs. At Renew MediSpa, our primary HA filler is called RHA by Revance Therapeutics. We prefer it because its crosslinking looks the closest to that seen in the natural HA found in the body. This helps it to look very natural and move fluidly when the face moves (i.e. not look “stiff” or fake).
- Durability: How long a filler lasts in the body depends on several factors including the brand and composition of the filler, where it is placed, how much is injected, and your own rate of metabolism which can vary from person to person.
Myth #2: Dermal fillers will make me look fake or like a different person.
When performed by a skilled and experienced injector, dermal fillers are intended to enhance your natural features rather than completely change your face. One way in which dermal filler injection goes “wrong” is when too much is injected or it is placed in a way that distorts the natural proportions of the face. An expert injector understands appropriate facial proportions and knows when to stop with volume correction and move on to other options like tightening, resurfacing, “lifting” such as with PDO threads or other collagen stimulation methods.
Myth #3: Dermal fillers will stretch out the skin, making it sag worse later on.
Dermal fillers appropriately placed do not deform the skin in any way, which would lead to more loose skin in the future. In fact, they even stimulate our fibroblasts to make more collagen and elastin.
Myth #5: Once you start dermal filler, you “can’t stop.”
As stated above, dermal fillers offer temporary results. It’s entirely up to you whether to continue with treatments over time. If you stop, you will simply gradually return to your pre-procedure appearance.
Myth #6: Dermal fillers can replace a surgical facelift or vice versa.
There are many spas, physicians, nurses, and dentists now offering dermal filler injections. Be sure to go to an experienced provider with an established practice location and ask the questions necessary to determine if you feel they are a good fit for what you are looking for. An expert provider will guide you in making the best choices for your goals, both short- and long-term. It is also very helpful to go to a provider who has more to offer than ‘just injectables’ so that you have other options readily available when these are not the best solution for your concerns.
For more information on dermal fillers and to see examples before and after images, visit our website at www.renewmedispa.com.