There are many visible signs of ageing. Simple stuff like greying hair, fine lines and wrinkles make a person look older overnight! For many people, it is not ageing that adversely affects them, but the way they look as they grow older affects their psychological wellness.
Thankfully we have a solution to combat the problem arising due to wrinkles. We have already discussed how Botox treatments can stop the ageing process in our previous blog. In this blog, Dr. Ashish Davalbhakta, the Chief Plastic Surgeon at Aesthetics Medispa, Pune will be explaining the basics of Dermal Fillers and how they can reverse ageing for you. We will also be diving into types of Dermal fillers, where are Dermal fillers used, what are their side effects and so on.
Let’s begin!
What Are Dermal Fillers?
Dermal fillers are a part of the new age range of minimally invasive cosmetic treatments that can pause ageing in its tracks. Dermal fillers are gel-like substances that are injected under the skin to smoothen out wrinkles. Dermal fillers reduce facial lines and restore the lost volume in the muscles. They make the injected area appear plump, smooth and youthful.
Why Do Patients Opt For Dermal Fillers
More and more people have grown aware of the way they look and how their looks affect their personality, relationships and even professional associations. People want to look young, healthy and happy. In short, they always want to put their best foot forward. This rising awareness is a leading rationale behind the growing popularity of Dermal Fillers in India.
Dermal fillers aid in correcting static wrinkles. Static wrinkles are a type of wrinkles that have set in your skin, over a period of time. These wrinkles occur when the skin begins to lose elasticity and collagen. The skin where these static wrinkles form begins to sag and loses volume. Dermal fillers can be injected underneath the skin to restore volume in sagging skin folds. This is why Dermal Fillers are also referred to as “Wrinkle Fillers”.
Dermal Fillers successfully address the following ageing related issues :
- They smoothen out lines around the nose and mouth (frown lines, smile lines, etc.).
- They enhance any shallow contours on the patient’s face.
- They aid in restoring volume to sunken cheeks or temples.
- They quickly diminish vertical lip lines.
- They make the lips appear plump and full.
- They can smoothen out a chin crease.
- They will improve the overall symmetry of the patient’s face.
What Are The Different Types Of Dermal Fillers?
As an experienced Cosmetic Surgeon in Pune, here’s something important I would like to share with you – there are many different types of Dermal Fillers and each type serves a different purpose.
1. Hyaluronic Acid: Hyaluronic acid is one of the most natural dermal fillers available in the market. We say “natural” because hyaluronic acid is already produced by the human body. So when we use it through injectables, the human body reacts positively to it.
These fillers are gel-like substances which plump up the skin and smoothen out the creases. Hyaluronic acid injections can be used to improve the skin’s contour and reduce depressions in the skin due to scars, injury or lines.
These are temporary fillers that last between 8 months to 2 years. Over time they get absorbed into the patient’s body. When the absorption is completed the patient reverts to as his older (pre-treatment) face.
2. Polylactic acid: This is a synthetic dermal filler which stimulates the body’s production of collagen. Hence, it is also referred to as a “stimulator”. Even though it is synthetic, Polylactic acid is a 100% non-toxic and biodegradable substance.
It is typically used by dermatologists and cosmetic surgeons to treat deeper wrinkles because it encourages the body to fill them out with collagen. This gives the face a very natural effect. It works most effectively with the lower half of the face.
3. Calcium hydroxylapatite: This is a vegan-friendly derma filler composed of a mineral-like substance. Calcium hydroxylapatite is found naturally in human bones hence, the injectable is easily accepted by the body as well.
It is extremely effective in the treatment of moderate to severe creases on the face. It enhances the shallow contours on the face and increases the fullness of the patient’s cheeks.
4. Polyalkylimide: Polyalkylimide is a synthetic dermal filler. It is bio-compatible which means the human body will not adversely react to this injectable. This filler is considered to be one of the semi-permanent ones with long-lasting effects.
Polyalkylimide is used in the treatment of deeper wrinkles or facial scars. It also enhances the cheekbones and jawlines, thus making the patient appear sharper and younger.
5. Polymethyl-methacrylate microspheres (PMMA): PMMA is a semi-permanent filler used to treat deep wrinkles, scar pits, and thinning lips. These microspheres are tiny, synthetic balls that are injected to give structure to the deepened wrinkles.
PMMA is effective and has been used in surgical implants regularly.
Special Note:
Indian laws allow only the usage of Hyaluronic acid on patients in India. Since the risk of granuloma and nodule formation is higher with other types of Dermal Fillers.
Who Is The Right Candidate For Dermal Fillers?
- Anyone, a male or female adult who is physically fit.
- Anyone who has noticed wrinkles forming on their face and wishes to treat them.
- In the case of women, pregnant and women who are breastfeeding are not allowed to undergo this procedure.
- A person who is allergic to any form of dermal fillers or ingredients therein should not opt for this treatment.
Please note, that your face at the time of the procedure needs to be free from any infection. In case you have a skin infection, your dermatologist will ask you to postpone the treatment until you are free from the infection.
Who Is The Right Doctor For Dermal Fillers?
A Dermal Fillers procedure does not only affect the look or feel of your face but also your overall physical and mental wellbeing. Therefore, choose your doctor wisely.
Following are some pointers that might help you in your decision:
- First of all, as per the Indian Medical Association, the qualifications of the doctor should include an M.D in Dermatology or M.Ch in Plastic Surgery to perform a Dermal Fillers procedure.
- Experience is another factor that must be taken into consideration when choosing a doctor. The higher the number of years of experience, the easier it is to trust the surgeon.
- Check what technology is available with the doctor and how well equipped his clinic is. If the doctor is using the latest technology then probably the results will be better and natural-looking.
- Review the testimonials of past patients. Most patients post their reviews on social media pages or Google or even the website of the doctor. Go through them to understand the quality of his/her work and what the ultimate results look like.
- The cost of Dermal Fillers and the type of Dermal Fillers could also play a major role in choosing the right doctor for you. Depending on the amount of money you are ready to spend, choose a surgeon who falls in your budget range.
- A vital element that is often not listed, is your personal equation with the doctor. It is very important that you feel comfortable with the surgeon and trust his judgement and course of action. This comfort level is intangible and cannot be measured, but it does affect your choice and your ultimate happiness.
What To Ask Your Doctor During Your Consultation?
A one on one consultation with your doctor is the foundation for the Dermal Fillers procedure. We at Aesthetics Medispa believe that this consultation will help you as well as the doctor to figure out the treatment schedule and what you need.
During your consultation, you can discuss what you expect from the procedure and how the doctor is going to help you achieve it. A thorough meeting before the procedure reduces the chances of disappointment post-treatment since you and the doctor are both on the same page with the objectives.
The doctor will take pictures of your face and examine the depth and severity of the wrinkles. He/she will decide which type of Dermal fillers are most suitable for your treatment. The Cosmetic Surgeon will also specify how much Dermal filler will be necessary for your procedure. He will explain how much time it will take for the fillers to start showing results on your face.
Following are a few questions you can ask during the consultation:
- Am I a fit candidate for this treatment?
- What should I expect from this treatment?
- What precautions should I take in the days leading up to the treatment?
- What will be my average recovery time?
- What care should I take to get optimum results from this treatment?
- What steps will I need to take to maintain my face after the treatment?
- Are there any risks and safety concerns that I need to be aware of?
- What is the cost of Dermal Fillers procedure?
What Happens Before The Dermal Fillers Procedure?
The doctor will ask you to take some routine blood tests in the week before the treatment. He may also ask you to discontinue some of your regular medicines to avoid any conflicts with the injections. If you are a smoker then you will have to give up smoking in the few weeks leading up to the procedure.
Please bring someone with you because you will need help with getting home safely.
What Happens During The Procedure?
The Plastic Surgeon will mark the injection sites. He will then proceed to clean-up the injection sites with a strong antibacterial agent.
The patient will be given local anaesthesia at the injection site to make the procedure comfortable and pain-free. Sometimes doctors also opt for an anaesthetic ointment that is applied to the skin. This makes the skin numb and ready for the injection.
Finally, the doctor will inject the chosen sites with the necessary quantities of dermal fillers. The doctor will inject the site, massage it (this helps in spreading the filler) and evaluates whether more quantity is necessary.
A Dermal Filler procedure generally involves multiple injection sites.
Please note that sometimes patients do feel pain when undergoing the procedure. But this pain is minimal and bearable.
What Happens After The Procedure?
An ice-pack is the best way to begin recovery. It reduces discomfort and swelling. Doctors recommend using ice-packs regularly throughout the recovery period.
You may notice redness at the injection sites, but it fades away during recovery. Your face may be hypersensitive towards touch and movement for some time. This is also natural and to be expected post-procedure.
Patients can resume normal activities immediately. But we strongly advise patients not to perform activities that can tire them out physically like exercise, hiking or sports-based activities. Such physical activities can be resumed 48 hours after the procedure.
We also advise patients to not undergo dental treatments after a Dermal Fillers procedure because oral treatments may cause the fillers to spread and settle in wrong positions.
What Are The Risks Or Side Effects Of Dermal Fillers?
Dermal Fillers are a safe and effective procedure to be wrinkle-free in no time. But like every medical procedure, they also have some inherent risks. It is important that as a potential patient who will be undergoing this treatment you are well aware of all the risks and side effects of Dermal Fillers. We at Aesthetics Medispa disclose all the known risks of any procedure to our patients during their one on one consultation.
- Acne-like skin eruptions
- Facial asymmetry
- Bruising at the injection site
- Bleeding from the injection site
- Swelling
- Permanent damage to the skin
- Scarring
- Skin infection
- Unnatural lumps on the face
- Palpability of the filler under the surface of the skin
- Skin rash with itching
- Skin redness
- Under- or over-correction of wrinkles
- Blindness
- Skin necrosis (ulceration or loss of skin from disruption of blood flow)
In case you are uncomfortable or find your symptoms to be unbearable and aggravating, then immediately get in touch with your doctor.
What Is The Cost Of Dermal Fillers In India?
The cost of this treatment depends on various factors such as:
- The location of the clinic
- The experience and reputation of the doctor
- The cost of Dermal Fillers (depending on the type of Dermal Fillers necessary and the quantity of the injectables)
- Your unique case
Therefore, one cannot write down a ballpark figure for this surgery. The actual cost estimate will be given to you by your surgeon after your consultation.
Does Health Insurance Cover Dermal Fillers?
Unfortunately, no health insurance covers this treatment because it is a cosmetic medical procedure.
Conclusion
Dermal Fillers or Wrinkle Fillers treatment is one of the most popular cosmetic treatments in the anti-ageing department. It is a safe, effective and minimally invasive procedure. When Dermal Fillers are injected correctly and at the right places their effect is subtle and invisible making the face appear natural and youthful!
We hope you enjoyed reading this blog. In case you have any queries that Dr Ashish Davalbhakta, our Chief Plastic Surgeon at Aesthetics Medispa, Pune can solve for you then please feel free to fill out the request form below and get in touch with us.
