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Our bodies naturally\u00a0change with age<\/a>, and those differences might include new wrinkles on our faces or cheekbones that aren\u2019t as high as they once were. Dermal fillers can help minimize these signs of aging if you\u2019re unhappy with them.<\/p>\n However, these changes are completely normal and occur when we lose some of the subcutaneous fat that\u00a0supports our skin<\/a>. Over time, the skin on the middle of our faces shifts down too, causing our cheeks to sag a bit, explains\u00a0Mary Stevenson<\/a>, M.D., dermatologist at NYU Langone Health. \u201cFiller can be used to help lift and add support,\u201d she tells SELF. It can also help soften wrinkles, Dr. Stevenson says.<\/p>\n There are several categories of dermal fillers, and they\u2019re all generally administered in the same way (more on that in a bit). Before electing to have any type of cosmetic or medical procedure, it\u2019s important to understand what the process entails and any potential risks. Understandably, you might also have concerns about visiting a doctor\u2019s office during the pandemic. Our story about\u00a0making medical appointments during COVID-19<\/a>\u00a0can help you decide if now is the right time to schedule an elective procedure. But below, you\u2019ll find information experts think you should know about dermal fillers<\/p>\n First things first: Dermal fillers are not to be confused with\u00a0Botox<\/a>, injectable drugs approved by the\u00a0Food and Drug Administration<\/a>\u00a0to smooth lines and wrinkles. The latter “freezes” muscles to reduce wrinkles, while dermal fillers are injectable implants approved by the\u00a0FDA<\/a>\u00a0to help smooth skin and wrinkles. As the name implies, they are injected beneath your skin using a needle.<\/p>\n According to the\u00a0FDA<\/a>, there are four categories of fillers. Each is named for the type of material they\u2019re made with:<\/p>\n Hyaluronic acid, which you may recognize as a common ingredient in some skincare products, is one of the most popular types of fillers, explains\u00a0Jenny Kim<\/a>, M.D., Ph.D, professor of dermatology, medicine, and nutrition at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Because it helps skin retain moisture,\u00a0hyaluronic acid<\/a>\u00a0can make your face look more plump and hydrated. It’s also used in lotions as a moisturizer, but no cream can restore lost volume\u2014only injectable hyaluronic acid can do that. Juv\u00e9derm and Restylane are two popular name brand hyaluronic fillers that you may have heard of.<\/p>\n A good doctor will explain the ideal treatment plan for you, but know that the most natural-looking results may require more than one type of filler. There are many different brands of fillers within each category, and the products vary in how they should be used\u2014like filling out cheeks<\/a>\u2014and concentration of the active ingredient, explains Dr. Kim. For example, Restylane, one brand of hyaluronic filler, has five different lines\u2014and each is used for different reasons. “Restylane Lyft has larger particle sizes\u2014think of them like the bricks of a foundation,”\u00a0Whitney Bowe<\/a>, M.D. a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, tells SELF. Those larger particles have the heft to “rebuild” thinned cheekbones, while a smaller particle size, as in Restylane Silk, works better for addressing fine lines and\u00a0plumping lips<\/a>.<\/p>\n Dr. Kim explains that patients come to her saying \u201cthey just want to look a little better,\u201d without turning to cosmetic surgery. She uses dermal fillers to add in volume and\u00a0smooth out wrinkles<\/a>, which her patients are normally happy with, she says.<\/p>\n Dermal fillers are particularly popular because patients see differences in their appearances before leaving her office, Dr. Kim says. Generally, people notice the desired changes from other non-surgical procedures, like Botox, after a few days.<\/p>\n One thing to note: Dermal fillers are not FDA-approved for body contouring procedures. In other words, they shouldn\u2019t be used to increase the size of your breasts or butt.<\/p>\n It probably goes without saying, but safety should be your top priority when considering any\u00a0medical procedure<\/a>. Dr. Kim says visiting a board-certified dermatologist or a board-certified plastic surgeon is one way to ensure that your physician is experienced. This extra certification step shows that the doctor completed additional training in their particular specialty. (You can find a board-certified specialist by visiting The\u00a0American Board of Plastic Surgery<\/a>\u00a0or the\u00a0American Academy of Dermatology<\/a>\u00a0websites.) Even though dermal fillers are available at medical spas, you should see only licensed and trained physicians for any injectable treatment. There are risks for issues like infection, discoloration, and lumps if injections are done incorrectly.<\/p>\n Given that this is a cosmetic procedure, you understandably want to be satisfied with the results. One way to find a doctor whose work you like is by asking friends who have had this done for their recommendations. “People are starting to be more open about injectables,” Ava Shamban, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in Los Angeles, tells SELF.<\/p>\n \u201cI think as a patient you should\u00a0always ask for a consultation<\/a>\u00a0first and then really talk about what your goal is and how they [the doctor] can help you,\u201d says Dr. Kim. You may think you just want dermal fillers, but an expert could recommend another treatment\u2014or a combination of treatments\u2014based on your specific skin type and goals. For example, your doctor may suggest using laser therapy if you have a lot of pigmentation, she says.<\/p>\n Dr. Shamban advises requesting before-and-after photographs of real patients from the doctor\u2019s office. Every practitioner has different philosophies, techniques, and levels of experience. And don’t be afraid to ask about your doctor\u2019s training and certification during the initial consultation.<\/p>\n Lastly, you and your physician should communicate about realistic results and your expectations\u2014it’s your face, after all.<\/p>\n Even non-surgical procedures have their risks. The most common side effects include\u00a0bruising<\/a>, redness, pain, or swelling, all of which should go away within two weeks, according to the\u00a0FDA<\/a>. Less frequently, people might get\u00a0raised bumps<\/a>\u00a0under their skin that need to be treated with injections, medications, or even surgically removed, according to the\u00a0FDA<\/a>.<\/p>\n Although this is rare, filler can accidentally be injected into a blood vessel and lead to blurred vision or permanent blindness. You should call your doctor or the emergency room if your skin turns blue and you\u2019re in a lot of pain\u2014these are two possible signs that filler is in your bloodstream. Again, this is why you want to see an experienced doctor who is skilled in performing the procedure.<\/p>\n According to the\u00a0FDA<\/a>, there\u2019s no research showing that dermal fillers are safe for pregnant or breastfeeding people, so you may want to hold off\u00a0if you\u2019re expecting a baby<\/a>\u00a0or recently had a child. And here’s one more thing to consider: Avoid getting filler right before a\u00a0teeth cleaning<\/a>\u00a0or other dental treatment, Dr. Shamban says. These procedures require pressure and stretching of the face that could potentially misplace fillers. You can ask your doctor for their opinion regarding when it\u2019s safe to get any future dental work during your consultation.<\/p>\n If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is. If you see a deal for\u00a0inexpensive<\/a>\u00a0filler, be skeptical. “You have to be careful,” Dr. Shamban says, adding that counterfeit and diluted filler do exist. “Ask to see the box, and look for a safety seal on it.” The price of these fillers varies depending on the amount of product needed. In 2019, the average cost of hyaluronic acid fillers was $652 per syringe, according to the\u00a0American Society of Plastic Surgeons<\/a>. They estimate that most patients need more than one syringe to achieve the results they\u2019re looking for.<\/p>\n If you’re unhappy with the way filler looks, don’t panic\u2014in most cases, you can have it adjusted. A dermatologist might inject additional filler for balance, or they can dissolve it altogether, depending on the type. “The wonderful thing about hyaluronic acid fillers is that there’s an enzyme that can be injected into the area to dissolve the product,” Dr. Shamban says. “It just goes away.”<\/p>\n But when expertly injected, filler\u00a0should look natural<\/a>. “The changes we can make are so subtle that nobody would notice,” says Dr. Shamban.<\/p>\n1. What exactly are dermal fillers?<\/h2>\n
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2. How do I know which dermal filler to try?<\/h2>\n
3. Why do people get dermal fillers?<\/h2>\n
4. What precautions should I take before getting fillers?<\/h2>\n
5. What should I ask my doctor during the consultation?<\/h2>\n
6. What are the possible side effects of fillers?<\/h2>\n
7. Who should avoid dermal fillers?<\/h2>\n
8. How much do dermal fillers cost?<\/h2>\n
9. Are dermal fillers permanent?<\/h2>\n
10. How long will the results last?<\/h2>\n