The signs of aging are slowly creeping up on you. You look in the mirror and see them. Your skin is starting to lose its elasticity. Fine lines are starting to bloom around your eyes and mouth. You raise and lower your eyebrows, and there are lines that take a while to smooth out. The areas under your eyes look dark and hollow, and concealer just isn’t cutting it anymore. But what can you do?
You’ve heard of dermal fillers, injectable treatments meant to plump up your skin by replacing the collagen you have lost over the years and lessening the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. But what comes to mind when you think of these injections? Some people still think of dermal fillers as torturous treatments where silicone is stuffed into your face, giving you an obviously fake (and often lifeless) appearance. There are also many horror stories about dermal filler injections gone wrong, and patients being permanently disfigured and other terrible outcomes. Needless to say, who would want that?
As a PA-C who has been working with dermal fillers for many, many years, I’m here to set you straight. Dermal fillers are now SAFER THAN EVER (she shouts from the rooftops!) and the difference they can make to problem areas is almost magical.
A Brief History of Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers are the result of years of research and development. But how did they get started? Believe it or not, they got their start back in the late 19th century with fat transplants. In 1893, a German doctor by the name of Franz Neuber used autologous fat (using the same fat from the person receiving the transplant) to fill out facial defects. From there, injections took off.
In the early 1900s, an injectable paraffin was being used. But this was short-lived. Once granulomas (inflamed nodules in the skin) were discovered, that was the end of that. Right around the 1940s was when silicone started to be investigated. It was used all the way through the 1960s, until it started to show adverse effects. The use of silicone was then promptly banned.
Research on the use of animal collagens began. By the 1970s, there was enough research to actually inject them into patients. The use of injectable bovine collagen was developed in the 70s, and became FDA approved in 1981.
In the beginning of the 21st century, research was starting on non-bovine collagen alternatives, including hyaluronic acid. There is now an array of different dermal fillers, each with their own properties.
What’s in Dermal Fillers, Anyway?
There is a vast array of different FDA-approved dermal fillers. Here’s a glimpse as to what’s in them.
Many dermal fillers are made with hyaluronic acid, including Juvederm, Restylane and Belotero. This is a naturally occurring substance that is already found in human skin, which helps to keep it full and hydrated. The filler itself is soft, and almost gel-like in texture. The results provided by HA injections are temporary, lasting approximately 6 to 12 months.
Calcium hydroxyapatite is used in Radiesse. This is another naturally occurring substance, found mostly in the bones. The filler has a thicker consistency than hyaluronic acid, and provides longer lasting results. It also has the ability to stimulate your body’s own collagen production.
Poly-L-lactic acid, found in Sculptra fillers, is a synthetic material, but it is biocompatible. This means that it’s completely safe for use within your body. The filler stimulates your body’s own collagen production and results are long-lasting (up to two years).
Polymethylmethacrylate is another synthetic, biocompatible filler, and is the main ingredient in Bellafill. Fillers with polymethylmethacrylate also contain collagen, and stay in the body indefinitely, providing continued support to alleviate wrinkles and lines.
There are also autologous fat injections, which use the fat within your own body. These injections require a minimally invasive fat retrieval procedure, but the results last a long, long time.
The Importance of a Trained Professional
Despite the fact that dermal fillers are completely safe, you still hear horror stories. Why is that? Well, dermal fillers can’t be injected by just anyone.
It’s essential that you choose a provider who is certified in the use of injectables. They should have a proven background in cosmetic medicine as well as extensive training and experience. The provider should have extensive knowledge of the anatomy of the face, an eye for aesthetics and the skill (and precision) of a highly-trained surgeon.
If you’re ready for a more youthful you, today’s dermal fillers provide a safe, incredibly effective treatment. Contact Clarity Medical Aesthetics today to set up your free consultation!
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