There is no denying that dermal fillers are growing in popularity. Need proof? Scroll through Instagram or Facebook, and you’ll see a plethora of both patients and cosmetic injectors posting their results of perfectly plumped pouts, contoured cheekbones, and sharp jawlines. Dermal fillers have become so mainstream that they are even catching up to Botox® Cosmetic in demand and popularity. According to the 2020 Plastic Surgery Statistics Report, 4.4 million people received Botulinum Toxin Type A injections in 2020, and 3.4 million people received Soft Tissue Fillers of some sort. That makes Botox and fillers the top two minimally invasive procedures of 2020. Yet, even with their rise in popularity, there still may be some important things the average person doesn’t know about fillers. Here are six facts that may surprise you!
#1 – Dermal Fillers have a history that dates back over 100 years!
Believe it or not, facial fillers were invented in the late 1800s by an Austrian surgeon named Robert Gersuny. He experimented with a combination of mineral oil and paraffin to create a soft tissue filler to address major facial defects in patients. Although his formulation is nothing like what we use today regarding composition, the concept and goal of restoring lost volume in the skin are similar.
#2 – Some fillers are natural, while others contain synthetic materials.
Collagen-based dermal fillers received their first FDA approval in 1981. Collagen is a natural component of our skin that gives it volume and smoothness. Most collagen fillers used in aesthetics are bovine-derived. Because an allergy test is required before receiving bovine-derived collagen fillers, they have quickly been replaced in popularity by hyaluronic acid fillers.
Like collagen, hyaluronic acid is a substance naturally produced in our body that helps our skin hold water and keep it plump and smooth. The FDA approved the first hyaluronic acid fillers in 2003. Popular hyaluronic acid fillers include The Juvéderm™ Collection by Allergan Aesthetics® and the Restylane® family of fillers by Galderma®.
Some dermal fillers utilize non-organic material to restore volume to the skin. These fillers tend to be heartier and last longer than their natural counterparts but are more limited as to who, how, and where they can and should be used. Examples are the calcium hydroxylapatite found in Radiesse® and the polymethyl-methacrylate (PMMA) found in Bellafill®.
#3 – Don’t like your result? Some dermal fillers are dissolvable.
For your personal safety and the quality of your results, it is essential to seek out a qualified and experienced provider for any dermal filler service. At Skin Artisans, it is not uncommon for our Injection Specialists to utilize hyaluronidase, a safe and effective injectable product that dissolves hyaluronic acid fillers. Hyaluronidase can be used to correct over-filling, resolve an adverse effect from filler, or simply dissolve and remove residual filler.
#4 – It takes a lot of filler to “overdo it.”
On average, each syringe of filler only has about 1/5 of a teaspoon of product. That means you would need to inject five syringes to get one full teaspoon of filler. Although we all have been visually scared by reality stars and celebrities with over-plumped lips and cheeks, rest assured, it takes A LOT of filler (and poor injection technique) to “overdo it.”
At Skin Artisans, our Injection Specialists have decades of experience achieving natural results with filler. During your initial consultation, they will listen to your aesthetic goals and map out a plan to help you reach them while still honoring the natural features of your face.
#5 – Some fillers stimulate your skin to produce more volume on its own!
No filler can put a complete halt to the aging process. Once collagen production slows, we need to be in a constant state of stimulating it to preserve our skin’s vitality. The poly-l lactic acid found in Sculptra® actually stimulates your skin to produce more of its own collagen over time. In essence, it steadily rebuilds your skin and produces natural volume with results that last up to two years.
#6 – Fillers aren’t just for the face.
Although fillers are primarily used in facial rejuvenation, they can also be highly effective for turning back the clock on other parts of your body that may be showing signs of aging.
Earlobes – fillers can be used to re-inflate sagging earlobes, making your earrings look great again!
Neck/Chest – although an advanced method, fillers can be used to smooth deep bands that run across the neck and even the vertical “sleep lines” between breasts.
Depressed Scars – some fillers can be used to restore volume to a recessed scar, like an acne scar, and enhance the smoothness of your skin.
Knees – fillers can also be used to help plump and smooth sagging skin above the knees.
There is a direct correlation between the results you attain with dermal fillers and the experience and qualifications of your injector. Fillers, and any cosmetic procedure for that matter, should never be a service that you bargain hunt for. At Skin Artisans your safety is our first priority. Our team of Injection Specialists is comprised of only Registered Nurses and Nurse Practitioners who each have more than a decade of experience with cosmetic injectables. They excel at achieving beautifully natural results that keep you looking like the best version of YOU.
Schedule a complimentary consultation to discuss rejuvenating or enhancing your features with dermal fillers with a Skin Artisans Injection Specialist by calling (952) 234-8414, texting (952) 767-3163, or CLICKING HERE.