Face, facial, or dermal fillers are all terms used to describe a range of materials, that are commonly inserted beneath the skin by injection, and that have the common purpose of reducing the visibility of the fine lines and wrinkles that are often the first telltale signs of aging. These injectables should not be confused with those preparations applied topically that are either designed to exert a tautening effect or to infuse nutrients deemed to be necessary for the production of healthy connective tissue.
Neither should they be confused with Botox injections. While the botulinum toxin acts to relax subcutaneous muscles and thereby reduce the tension that forms wrinkles, the role of face fillers is to replace the tissue depleted by age and thus to create a smoothing effect. It needs to be emphasised, however, that both options offer only a temporary solution and repeat treatments will therefore be necessary to maintain the results.
Following the injection of the botulinum extract, the interval between repeat treatments tends to be fairly consistent and will generally range from around three to six months. However, the duration of the effects produced when injecting one of the more inert substances typically used as face fillers will tend to vary quite widely depending upon the particular substance chosen. Because the choice will also influence the cost, it will pay you to enquire about the relative merits of the available options, as well as which will best meet your individual needs, with your medical aesthetics specialist before proceeding with any course of treatment.
These injectables may either be natural or synthetic. In the former category, hyaluronic acid (HA) acts to attract water to the areas treated, and will eventually be absorbed by the body and disposed of. Offered under a variety of brand names, accordingly, the duration of the effects produced by HA-based face fillers varies with cost, but will normally be between six months and two years. Another natural alternative, collagen, although effective, requires top-ups at intervals of between three and nine months.
Where a longer lasting result is required, such as when sculpting the nose or plumping up sunken cheeks, synthetics are generally a better option. Typically, these products employ compounds such as poly-L-lactic acid and calcium hydroxyapatite, and can be expected to work for around ten months to two years.
These figures, however, are not cast in stone and just how long the effects of face fillers last also depends upon the individual. To determine the best and most affordable option for you, why not book a consultation with the specialists at DermaCare.
