The Art of Subtlety: Natural Results with Fillers
The field of cosmetic dermatology is dedicated to enhancing the appearance of one’s skin, which in turn can boost one’s confidence and mental health. Of course, there are many ways to achieve these goals, and new methods are emerging all the time. Today, if you want to smooth out your skin’s texture or tone, you have no shortage of options. The route you choose will depend on your skin type, medical history, budget, and preferences. When it comes to cosmetic improvements or adjustments, some want to make major changes while others prefer a more subtle, natural approach. If you fall into this latter category, injectable dermal fillers might be something to consider.
Let’s explore what dermal fillers are, how they work, and how effective they are at delivering natural-looking results.
Understanding Different Dermal Fillers
While dermal fillers may be composed of different substances, they all function more or less in the same way. Simply put, these fillers are injected into targeted areas of the skin’s soft tissue (typically on the face) in order to fill them out or plump them up. As a result, these fillers can reduce sagging, minimize wrinkles and scars, enhance lip volume, shape facial contours, and more. Compare this to a Botox injection, which instead temporarily paralyzes certain facial muscles to relax wrinkles and lines.
Dermal fillers are categorized by their composition, such as:
- Hyaluronic Acid (HA) (Restylane and Juvederm)
- Calcium Hydroxylapatite (CaHA)
- Poly-L-lactic Acid
- Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA)
- Autologous fat injections (surgical grafting)
How Natural are Dermal Filler Results, Anyway?
The answer to this question depends on what we mean by “natural.” If we’re being literal, only HA and CaHA fillers are truly “natural” because they are naturally-occurring substances — hyaluronic acid is found in the skin and CaHA is mostly found in the bones. The other types of fillers are synthetic, though they also contain natural substances such as collagen. As for autologous fat injections, these fillers could also be deemed natural because they’re taken directly from one’s body.
Of course, when people talk about “natural results,” they’re often referring to how natural-looking the outcome is, not whether or not the injection is organic, synthetic, etc. And generally speaking, all dermal fillers are capable of delivering subtle, natural, effective results. The degree to which these results look natural depends on the combination of multiple factors, such as the skill of the cosmetic dermatologist administering the injections, the location of the injections, the patient’s unique skin type and reactivity, the number of treatments, and, yes, the type of filler being used.
How Long Can You Expect these Results to Last?
Not only do most patients want their skin to look naturally beautiful following their dermal filler treatment — they also want these results to last. While dermal fillers cannot deliver permanent results (save for some fat injections), they can last a significant amount of time. Once again, the duration of a given filler depends on the same factors outlined above. That said, most fillers will last at least six months, and some can stick around for as long as two years. Also, most patients will experience improved and more natural results over time as they continue receiving these dermal injections on a regular basis.
Are Dermal Fillers Right for You?
If you struggle with wrinkles, scarring, uneven skin tone, and/or other cosmetic issues, fret not — there are many ways to achieve the skin you want most. Receiving dermal filler injections is just one option among many that can deliver natural, long-lasting results. Of course, some individuals are better candidates for this type of treatment than others. So if you’re considering dermal fillers, talk to your dermatologist. They can help you determine if these fillers are right for your skin and your desires.
The cosmetic, medical, and surgical experts at Premier Dermatology Partners are also happy to give you more information regarding dermal fillers and all other skin-related matters. To learn more about our providers and all the services we offer, contact us today.