All You Need to Know About Fillers

Thanks to the booming culture of cosmetic surgery, fillers are a literal topic on the lips of beauty world. Before we go any further, it is important to know that filler and Botox are not the same thing and that fillers are not for lips only. Actually, filler is just for about everywhere, they can smooth over your wrinkles, plump your lips and even shape your nose.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the use of fillers soared from 1.8 million procedures in 2010 to 2.6 million in 2016 in the United States alone. An increasing number of the aging population are undergoing dermal filler therapy to restore volume and uplift drooping skin.

It can be confusing at times trying to understand the world of this popular trend especially if you’ve never gotten any filler or your injector (who should by the way be certified) didn’t do enough explaining to you. It is important that you have access to the necessary information about filler especially if you are considering getting them. We talked to Dr Claudia Machado, a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon based at Al Shunnar Plastic Surgery in Dubai and she’s shared the most important things you need to know before getting fillers.

Q. What is Filler?

Dr Claudia. A filler is usually comprised of hyaluronic acid (but there are also many other types in the market) which is naturally found in the skin. It is used to restore volume where it is lost and fill in wrinkles, giving skin a plump and hydrated look. As we get older, we lose volume, fat, muscle tone and skin elasticity. Filler can be an answer to replete volume where it’s needed.

Q. What is the difference between Filler and Botox?

Dr Claudia. These are two different compounds which do completely different things. Botox (which is a brand name for botulinum toxin) helps in eliminating wrinkles that come from muscular contractions by temporarily blocking nerve signals in the muscles from moving (treats expression lines). Filler on the other hand can help to smooth over wrinkles that have formed plus add volume and plump the skin. While there are some wrinkles that may be too deep to be treated with Botox, filler can easily tackle them. Additionally, results from Botox takes a few days to show but with hyaluronic acid filler, the results kick in immediately.

Q. Where is it used?

Dr Claudia. Filler can be injected into different parts of the skin such as the nasolabial folds around the mouth – laugh lines -, in the lips, temples and cheeks. The results of the fillers are dictated by the depth of the injection and the consistency of the filler. Superficial injections with soft fillers help to hydrate and plump the skin as well as smooth out wrinkles. Medium-depth injections with medium-firm fillers help in reducing the appearance of creases while deep injections with firm fillers create shape and volume to the face.

Q. Which is the best Filler to use?

Dr Claudia. This usually depends on the area to be treated but some practitioners have a tendency of using a particular brand which they trust and feel comfortable with to treat the issue at hand. There are different brands such as Juvederm, Restylane, Perfecta, Radiesse and Sculptra – but they all accomplish the same thing. The fillers have different properties which are suited to treat different areas. For example, a filler that does not fluctuate much in volume can be used to treat the tear troughs, while the lips can be treated with a soft and elastic filler that moves smoothly with the natural movement of the lips. Your practitioner should be able to explain all these to you during the consultation and why he/she has settled for a particular brand. Personally, I like to use fillers containing hyaluronic acid as they are reversible and overall safer to use.

Q. What is the downtime and how long do the results last?

Dr Claudia. Generally speaking, there is no downtime but there is some post-injection swelling and depending on the individual there may be some slight bruising. It is however crucial to follow your doctor’s after-care orders and to avoid putting too much pressure on the treated areas. Most fillers last between 6 months to 2 years depending on the area injected and the formula of choice. But the thicker formulas usually have more staying power than their thinner counterparts. However, if you are unhappy with the result, you should make a follow-up appointment with your practitioner keeping in mind that filler can take up to two weeks to settle. The filler can be adjusted or dissolved altogether.

Q. How does one go about in finding a practitioner?

Dr Claudia. Once you narrow down on your potential doctors, do your research on them by reading multiple accounts about them. By doing this you’ll be able to determine who is reputable and who isn’t. It also goes without saying that the doctor you settle for should be Board-Certified.

Would you like to understand what fillers would be right for you?

Would you like to understand what options are available for Filler injections in Dubai? Meet one of the experts at Al Shunnar Plastic Surgery in Dubai for a personal consultation to develop a tailor-made plan for you. You may contact the clinic or book an appointment at +971 4 395 3033 and a patient care coordinator will identify the most suitable expert for you.

References: American Society of Plastic Surgeons