Dermal Fillers—What to Expect, and What Not to Expect

When you are ready to start using dermal fillers, there are a lot of things you should expect to come out of this treatment plan.  There are also a lot of things not to expect. So to be sure you get the most out of your treatments, and to help you prepare yourself (and your skin) for the changes to come, let’s talk about what you can, and cannot expect from a dermal filler.

1. You CAN expect your skin to feel smoother, fuller, plumper!  Dermal fillers, such as Juvéderm and Radiesse, are made from filling agents such as hyaluronic acid (HA) or calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) microspheres which actually ‘fill’ in wrinkles, and leave skin looking plumped up and youthful.
2. You CAN expect dermal fillers to help soften and fill loss of volume in areas such as the nasolabial fold (the two creases that frame the mouth when you smile), between the eyebrows, and vertical lines on the chin.  Fillers are also very effective at plumping up thin lips.
3. You CAN expect to see results immediately. And, you can expect very little down-time and almost zero side effects, such as redness or irritation.  Instead, all you will see is immediately fuller and more youthful looking skin!
4. You can NOT expect dermal fillers to last forever.  Although the results can last for up to a year, a more realistic expectation is to prepare for about four months of visible results before you need to schedule a follow-up visit.
5. You can NOT expect dermal fillers to lift up seriously sagging skin on the face. Although dermal fillers are great for adding volume and fullness to the skin, they are not an ideal solution for lifting up seriously sagging skin, such as a dropping forehead or eyelids.  A better approach to this particular skin concern would be a combination of treatments, which might also include a neurotoxin, a dermal filler, and possibly even more advanced aesthetic skin treatment, such as a brow lift. 
6. You can NOT expect to get the same results from an unlicensed practitioner, as you would from a licensed one. Although Botox and filler parties are growing in popularity, and might seem like a harmless (and more affordable) option, don’t take the risk. Unlicensed application of dermal fillers is no only illegal; it opens you—and your skin—up to serious risk.  If not administered properly, dermal fillers can leave skin looking irritated or worse, lumpy. Plus, you can only be 100% sure you are getting authentic fillers from a licensed provider, and not an adulterated substance that may have other agents mixed into the product in order to cut costs. And that is very bad news for your skin.

If you are noticing that your skin is starting to look less full, and the creases around your eyes or mouth are starting to appear deeper than you remembered, take a moment to consider the many aesthetic skin benefits of a dermal filler.  When done right, dermal fillers look incredibly natural, and are an excellent, safe way to rejuvenate the appearance of skin that has lost those telltale signs of youth—firmness and tautness, as well as plump up skin that has started looking thin and hollow. Ready to learn more about how dermal fillers can help you? Let me personalize a skin rejuvenation plan for your skin today!