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The Difference Between Dermal Fillers and Other Injectable Treatments

Dermal Fillers & Other Injectable Treatments

The Difference Between Dermal Fillers and Other Injectable Treatments

Cosmetic injectables are now exceptionally popular not only in the beauty community but among the general public as well. This means that more and more people have become familiar with a specific type of rejuvenation treatment – dermal filler injectables.

Still, there are many types of fillers, many manufacturers, and even more formulations, so it can be tricky for a newbie to get on board. Tricky but not impossible, and today is the perfect opportunity to learn more about what makes dermal fillers stand out.

What Are the Most Popular Cosmetic Injectables?

A lot of people dream about looking younger. However, not so many are ready for surgery. The result is the abundance of various minimally invasive treatments.

Let’s take a look at some of the most popular.

Botox and Other Botulinum Toxin Injectables

Botox injections are based on botulinum toxin type A (BtA). The amount of this toxin is not big enough to cause health problems if the injection is administered properly. The purpose of BtA is to temporarily paralyze muscles and minimize the appearance of facial wrinkles and smile lines.

There are other “botoxes”, such as Dysport and Xeomin. It’s necessary to note, however, that these treatments don’t emulate Botox’s formula. While their mode of operation is roughly the same, they may or may not be as effective as Botox produced by Allergan.

Dermal Fillers

Injecting a dermal filler is another alternative to cosmetic surgery. Unlike Botox and other botulinum toxin-based substances, fillers don’t paralyze muscles. They enrich the inner layers of the skin with beneficial components: vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and others.

Their main purpose, however, is to stimulate the production of collagen – a protein responsible for skin’s elasticity. This is how fillers smooth fine lines, plump thin lips, enhance cheekbones, reduce deep wrinkles, and restore facial volume.

The injection is made directly into the skin tissue right after the anesthetic is applied to minimize discomfort. Fillers can be delivered into nasolabial folds, lips, nose, under the eyes, arms, and other parts of the face and the body.

Autologous Fat Injections

While technically a filler procedure, autologous fat injections are somewhat different. They require undergoing a minor liposuction procedure to extract the fat from one area of the body and inject it into the one that needs additional volume.

This procedure is very popular among people prone to allergy, as the injectable is made from a client’s own body’s natural component and is highly unlikely to cause a hypersensitivity reaction.

Dermal Fillers vs Botox

Is a non-surgical filler treatment always better than a Botox injection? The truth is somewhere in between, as both procedures have their pros and cons.

Points for Botox:

  • Botox is FDA-approved;
  • Its formulation is time-tested and strictly regulated;
  • There are a lot of board-certified dermatologists trained to administer Botox.

Points for fillers:

  • Fillers enrich skin with beneficial components;
  • They provide generally longer-lasting results;
  • There is a big choice of brands and formulations;
  • Unlike Botox, fillers can be injected into lips, which makes them a go-to treatment for lip volume loss and vertical lip lines.

Pre and Post Injectable Dermal Fillers

Pre and Post Injectable Dermal Fillers

Preparation for a filler procedure is quite simple:

  • Don’t drink alcohol and take blood thinners (e.g. aspirin) 2 days prior to the procedure;
  • Omega-3, vitamin E, and some other supplements are to be avoided for at least a week before the treatment;
  • There are also certain restrictions on the use of makeup and other skincare treatments several days before the session. Ask your doctor for more specific instructions.

Until all the side effects are gone, a doctor will ask a patient to:

  • Avoid applying makeup and topical treatments;
  • Avoid open sun and UV exposure;
  • Stick to a healthy, hypoallergenic diet;
  • Avoid extensive exercising.

These recommendations must be followed until all side effects are gone.

Are All Fillers Based on Hyaluronic Acid?

The majority of dermal filler products are based on hyaluronic acid. As for those that aren’t – they still contain ingredients necessary to stimulate natural collagen production.

Alongside HA, some of the popular components to base a filler on are:

  • Poly-L-lactic acid, or PLLA (e.g. Sculptra);
  • Polymethyl methacrylate, or PMMA (e.g. Bellafill);
  • Calcium hydroxylapatite, or CaHa (e.g. Radiesse).

How to Choose the Best Filler?

It’s hard to tell which dermal filler is going to be your best choice. There are a lot of brands and formulations available on the market, and anyone can find a treatment that will meet their specific needs.

Still, some general guidelines will be of help in choosing the best filler that will bring maximum results.

Consider the Basic Properties of the Ingredients

Decide which area of your face or body needs to be treated with dermal filler injections. If you aim to get rid of a few specific wrinkles and fine lines, it’s better not to opt for fillers based on PLLA, as this substance is very good at dispersion.

However, PLLA-based fillers, such as Sculptra, are a perfect choice if you aim for whole face rejuvenation, additional hydration, and highlighted facial contours.

Meanwhile, hyaluronic acid is a better choice for targeting specific areas. It can be used to add volume to cheeks, lips, etc.

Know Your Allergies

Before ordering your filler, be sure to read through the ingredients. You may be allergic to some of the components, and the experience will be completely ruined.

For example, the components of synthetic fillers are purified and unlikely to trigger an allergic reaction. However, calcium hydroxylapatite, polymethyl methacrylate, and poly-L-lactic acid are recognized by the skin as alien substances. The presence of a synthetic compound in a formula increases the risk of an allergic response.

Opt for Reputable Brands

There are many types of dermal fillers. The formulations are mostly unique, as there are no strict regulations every manufacturer is obliged to follow. Even an injection depth depends on the unique composition of a filler’s ingredients.

Some brands provide highly effective formulas, others fail to do so. The best ones receive recognition among their clients. Check if the brand you’re about to choose is well-known and liked, as well as if the information the manufacturer provides is transparent and can be verified.

To Sum Up

Today, dermal fillers are some of the most popular minimally-invasive cosmetic treatments used to smooth lines, restore volume, and highlight lips.

While fillers are considered generally safe for overall healthy people, it’s important to purchase them responsibly. It won’t be wise to choose some random formulation, let alone self-inject it.

A dermal filler must be chosen with your healthcare provider who will take your possible allergens and underlying conditions into account.

Injectable fillers, given suitable ingredients and a professional dermatologist to inject them, will do wonders to your skin. Appearance plays a huge role in self-esteem, so it’s important to opt for the best treatments only.

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