More and more people are turning to dermal fillers as a way to gain fuller lips, soften deeper lines, wrinkles on areas in the face, neck and even the hands that are dry and unattractively thin. Since dermal fillers are minimally invasive and require little to no downtime, it’s become increasingly popular as one of the top cosmetic anti-aging procedures. This means the most patient can have dermal fillers and return to their daily activities on the same day.
How are dermal fillers applied?
Dermal fillers are applied beneath the epidermis through hypodermic needles. In some cases, the patient does not need anesthesia because the needles are very fine. In other cases, the patient may just need a cold ice pack or a topical lotion on their skin to numb it. Many dermal fillers come with syringes that contain not just the dermal filler but an anesthetic such as lidocaine.
Why are there so many?
There are so many different dermal fillers because they do different things and come in various viscosities. For this reason, a patient may need more than one type of dermal filler at a session. If they want to correct very fine lines, they may need a thinner concentration of hyaluronic acid. In order to treat thing lips, folds and furrows, a physician may opt to use a thicker type of filler such as calcium hydroxylapatite. Dermal fillers are easily and successfully used with Botox. Botox is not a dermal filler even though it too is used to soften the look of wrinkles.
How long do dermal fillers last?
The range is from six months or more depending on the filler and how fast an individual metabolizes the product. I recommend touch-up treatments when it comes to the majority of dermal fillers in order to maintain the desired result. Dermatologists have seen that when patients come in for touch-up treatments they do not need as much of the dermal filler as before. This is because their body has been prompted to produce more collagen.
What happens during a dermal filler session?
During a session the patient is in a private spa room at Kerin MedSpa & Laser Center. After a thorough discussion of my patient’s goals and treatment plan, we begin preparing the area. We recommend that the area being treated is cleansed and the area may be given a topical anesthetic. Then, I inject the dermal filler in the area that the patient wants treated. Several syringes may be used depending on the severity of the lines and wrinkles. I encourage continuous feedback with my patients to make sure that I have achieved their desired appearance keeping in mind that some swelling may occur. Afterwards, the patient may be given an ice pack for a few minutes, but they leave the office soon after. When they get home they may experience some redness and swelling that can be soothed by more cold compresses. They should stay out of the sun for a few days and not massage or rub the area.
If you would like a one on one complimentary consultation with me for dermal fillers or any of our services at Kerin MedSpa & Laser, please call 914-793-0996.
See the original article on Dermal Fillers here.
Michael Kerin MD
Kerin MedSpa & Laser Center
115 Main St. Suite 305
Tuckahoe, NY 10707
914-793-0996
