What Are Dermal Fillers?
Dermal fillers are injectable gel-like substances used to treat a wide range of cosmetic issues in the face and hands, including diminished volume, fine lines, wrinkles, and scars. Several different companies make fillers, and each has its own unique formulations, which are useful for treating distinct problems in separate areas of the face.
By filling in certain areas of the face, we can contour and create the visage you’ve always dreamed of. Over time, dermal fillers are slowly absorbed by the body and most last anywhere from 12 to 24 months before necessitating a touch-up.
Dermal fillers and botox are both minimally invasive, injectable cosmetic treatments. Both are performed as outpatient procedures in the comfort of your doctor’s office and require minimal downtime. While both can improve the overall appearance of the face, they achieve this in different ways.
Botox is primarily used to treat fine lines and wrinkles. It is a purified form of the botulinum toxin, but is a safe, FDA approved treatment that has been used for several decades now.
Botox works by blocking nerve signals to the muscles that cause fine lines around the eyes, forehead, and mouth, also known as expression lines. By blocking the nerve signals, muscles in the injection site become temporarily paralyzed, thus softening or eliminating wrinkles from the area. These results can last up to three months, and the treatment takes about five minutes to complete.
Dermal fillers, on the other hand, are primarily used to rejuvenate the skin and add volume and fullness to various areas of the face. Different brands and types of fillers are made of varying ingredients, including:
- Hyaluronic acid, such as JUVÉDERM®, Restylane®, and Belotero®
- Calcium hydroxylapatite, such as RADIESSE®
- Poly-L-lactic acid, such as Sculptra®
- Polymethyl-methacrylate microspheres (PMMA), such as Bellafill®
Each of these fillers is designed to treat certain kinds of aging or other cosmetic issues. Depending on which one is used, they can last anywhere from 12 to 24 months. On average, treatment takes approximately 45-60 minutes.