Dermal Filler, beyond lips
Lets start with what Dermal Fillers actually are. A Lot of new clients I see, seem to be under the misconception that Dermal Filler is either Botox or just used for pouty lips. Botox is a brand of muscle relaxant, where as Dermal Filler is a gel like substance injected to restore volume, correct asymmetry and revitalise the face. There is increasing stigma around Dermal filler as we are seeing more and more cases, of what I class as, body dysmorphic combined with a poor patient- injector relationship.
Dermal Filler injections have certainly advanced over the years with the latest Fillers generally composed of reabsorb-able hyaluronic acid of non-animal origin, which attracts water and creates plumpness and rejuvenation in the area injected. Hyalouronic acid is a substance found in almost every single living thing. In humans, Hyaluronic Acid is capable of holding 1,000 times its weight in water and therefore resulting in the binding of moisture in the skin. How does it do this? Well hyalouronic acid is able to fill in the space between collagen and elastin fibers in the skin helping the skin to maintain moisture and volume for long periods of time.
Naturally occurring hyaluronic acid in our bodies, start to deteriorate over time due to general ageing, sun damage and environmental factors. This is why we often inject hyaluronic acid fillers into the epidermis to replenish the loss of volume and structure. There are different types of filler ranging from ‘hard’ filler that we use to mimic bone structure and large volumes, and then there is ‘softer filler’ that we can use to mimic softer tissue, for instance in our lips and tear troughs. The longevity of a hyaluronic acid filler is determined by the amount of cross-linking of the gel molecules. The more cross-linked the product the ‘harder’ it can be and longer it will last. Typically Dermal Filler product longevity will range from 6 - 15 months.
So what can Dermal Fillers do for you? The options are pretty much endless, however in my opinion, less is more! Some popular areas of treatment with dermal filler include:
Cheeks: Lateral cheek filler can help give a natural contoured appearance whilst also supporting the 'crows feet' and lower face to soften jowls, heavy marionette lines and nasolabial folds.
Mid cheek filler can help to support the tear trough region and create a less tired more youthful appearance.
Jawline: Think instagram models and striking selfies! A defined jawline is the definition of a youthful face. On a younger patient, jawline filler can enhance your side profile, lessen the appearance of submental fullness (aka the double chin) and also create balance and symmetry to the face. On a more mature patient, jawline filler can do the same whilst also giving support to lower face sag and jowling.
Tear Troughs: Filler in the region may not always be the answer to your under eye concerns. Like all filler, it requires thorough assessment of the patients anatomical structure. However, given the right candidate, tear trough filler can brighten the eye area, decrease hollowing and the appearance of dark circles.
Temple Filler: Patients tend to not be aware of the need for temple filler, however it is often a hidden gem in the world of cosmetic injectables. As you age, a hollowing out in the temple area can cause an appearance that looks similar to a ‘peanut’ – a wide forehead, narrow temples and narrow cheeks. Dermal filler is injected to restore volume and balance ratios to the face.
Chin Filler: Filler in the chin can help to correct the appearance of an ‘overbite’, correct the ratio and symmetry of the face and also slim and feminise / masculinise the face.
As stated before, the options with Dermal Filler really are endless, therefore a good patient injector relationship is vital. Having an Injector who is willing to tell you when enough is enough or to be honest with your expectation of the procedure, is key.
