Dermal fillers diminish facial lines and restore volume and fullness in the face.

As we age, our faces naturally lose subcutaneous fat. The facial muscles are then working closer to the skin surface, so smile lines and crow's feet become more apparent.

The facial skin also stretches a bit, adding to this loss of facial volume.

Other factors that affect the facial skin include sun exposure, heredity and lifestyle. Dermal fillers can plump thin lips, Enhance shallow contours, Soften facial creases and wrinkles, Improve the appearance of recessed scars, Reconstruct contour deformities in the face and decrease or remove the shadow of the lower lids

For some patients, surgery such as a facelift, brow lift or eye lift may be the best approach. Nonsurgical rejuvenation treatments, such as soft tissue fillers, cannot achieve the same results, but may help delay the time when consideration of a facelift becomes appropriate. It is important to remember that dermal fillers are temporary treatments for facial aging and that ongoing treatments will be needed for long-term results.

There are several different types of dermal fillers. The most common types are:

Hyaluronic acid

Hyaluronic acid injections can be used to improve the skin's contour and reduce depressions in the skin due to scars, injury or lines. Hyaluronic acid achieve dramatic improvements for acne scars, cheek depressions, crow's feet, nasolabial furrows, frown lines between the eyebrows, lip augmentation, smoker's lines, lines that run across the forehead.

Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance found in our body. High concentrations are found in soft connective tissues and in the fluid surrounding the eyes. It's also in some cartilage and joint fluids, as well as skin tissue. It is extracted and reformulated and now has become one of the most popular kinds of injectable fillers.

The procedure

First of all strategic points on the face may be marked as the appropriate injection sites for the filler. Photographs may be taken of the areas to be treated.

The injection sites will be cleansed with an antibacterial agent. Pain at the injection site may be ameliorated by use of anesthetic ointment to numb the skin or injection of local anesthesia.

Injection usually takes only a few moments per site. The process of injecting, massaging, and evaluating the result is performed, and additional filler added as needed.

Depending on the number of areas to be treated, the whole process may be as short as 15 minutes, or as long as an hour.

Recovery

An ice pack will reduce swelling and alleviate discomfort. Although the area may feel a bit tender for a day or two, it is usually not painful enough to require any medication.

Recovery time varies for each patient and for each type of filler injected. Patient can resume most activities right away, but it is generally recommended to avoid intense physical activity for the first 24-48 hours to minimize swelling and bruising.

The results of soft tissue augmentation using dermal fillers are apparent immediately and will last from several months to several years depending on the filler used and the patient injected.