Removing wrinkles with a dermal filler

Wrinkle removal with a dermal filler has become the must have alternative to a face lift for many women.

Dermal fillers are based either on hyaluronic acid or pure collagen and can also be used to add volume when muscles tone is lost with age. Hyaluronic acid based fillers have led the market in recent years as they have a collagen boosting effect for a younger look that lasts.

So – why might you choose a Restylane type filler over a collagen filler?

Hyaluronic acid has a great surgical track record. It has been widely used in non cosmetic surgery – especially cateract operations – for many years.

Dermal fillers using hyaluronic acid come in a range of consistencies and are injected using very fine needles into or under the skin where the wrinkles and sagging are found. Generally, the thicker fillers will be used for the deepest wrinkles and folds and will be injected more deeply into the tissue of your face.

New fillers are coming onto the market all the time but Restylane, Perlane and Juvederm are the most commonly used hyularonic acid fillers. There is more experience with these products and they are known to be generally reliable and effective.

Restylane SubQ is the thickest gel filler which is used to replace lost fat in gaunt cheeks and is injected just under the muscle in the cheek. Restylane and Hydrafill are used to fill out medium to fine lines and wrinkles. Perlane is a product for deeper wrinkles and Restylane Lipp is a lip filler for restoring plumpness to thinned lips.

Having a dermal filler shouldn’t be too painful – providing you don’t mind needles. Your experience will also vary depending on how strong a pain killer you get given and where the dermal filler is used. Treatments around the nose or lip areas are usually more painful.

A Restylane injection will usually take around 30-60 minutes depending on which one is used and where it is injected. It all depends on the type of dermal filler used and the number of areas treated. Typically it will take around 30 minutes to an hour.

Recovery time can be from a few hours to a few days. However, most people find that they can return straight back to work after treatment with Restylane or a similar dermal filler.

With any facial filler you may get mild bruising, redness and swelling which can happen around the site of the injection. Redness and bruising will disappear in around 2 – 3 days possibly lasting longer around the lips where there is little flesh and the skin is tender.

Restylane type fillers are reversible if something goes wrong. The hyaluronic acid can be removed by the use with an enzyme – hyaluronidase – to correct problems or unwanted results. Hyaluronidase has the effect of dissolving the filler within a couple of days.

It’s very unlikely that a hyaluronic acid facial filler will cause any allergic response. Be careful if you’re prone to cold sores or blisters in the treated area as filler injections may cause them to break out

Costs of dermal fillers vary and there has been some price reduction. Restylane generally costs in the range $400-600 per session and is one of the more expensive but most effective dermal fillers on the market. There is more experience with Restylane than any other dermal filler so in the end you get what you pay for.

When you’re working out costs – don’t forget that whatever is used – the dermal filler will gradually be absorbed by your body and you’ll need further treatments to maintain your younger look.