What are dermal fillers?
Fillers are an injectable gel made from hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance that is found in virtually all of your body’s cells, 50% of which is found in the skin. It is a humectant (a substance that retains water) and is capable of binding over a thousand times its weight in water which makes it useful for volumising and moisturising the skin. However, it has a rapid turnover in its natural state so to be used for cosmetic treatments it must be chemically modified.
Hyaluronic acid used for fillers has been cross-linked to transform it from a liquid to a smooth gel that holds its form much longer.
HA fillers work by physically filling out the area where they are injected as well as drawing water to enhance the volumising effect. Different types of filler are used for different areas.
What can fillers be used for?
- To reduce mild to severe wrinkles all over the facial area (such as nasolabial folds, forehead lines, crow’s feet, marionette lines, neck wrinkles and so on);
- To restore age related loss of volume in facial tissue (such as under eyes and cheeks);
- Tighten sagging skin and make the skin more elastic;
- Improve the shape and appearance of the lips by enhancing their shape and contour;
- Improve symmetry.
For wrinkles that are mostly cause by muscle contractions (dynamic wrinkles) anti-wrinkle injections may be more suitable.
How long do fillers last?
HA fillers are not designed to give you permanent change but they can last anywhere from 8-18 months depending on the type of filler used and the individual person.
How to prolong the result of fillers?
Aside from having further treatments to top up the results of dermal fillers there are some other things you can do to make your results last as long as possible:
Keep out of the sun
Exposure to UV rays can break down certain types of filler so avoiding direct sun exposure and applying daily sunscreen can help them last longer (this is also good general advice for the health of your skin and preventing premature ageing).
Follow aftercare
Full aftercare can be found in the before and aftercare section however the key points to extend the life of your filler are:
- For the first 48 hours after treatment, stay away from excessive heat including strenuous exercise, saunas and sunbathing/sunbeds;
- Minimise the use or makeup for a week after treatment;
- Drink plenty of water.
Limit stress levels
Stress is harmful under any circumstances but it does also have an impact on your dermal filler. The body releases hormones such as cortisol when stressed. High cortisol contributes to the ageing process but also encourages your body to break down fillers. Try to find ways to manage stress and put self-care at the top of your to do list every day.
Eat healthily
A diet heavy in junk food, saturated fats and refined sugars causes internal inflammation and swelling in our bodies which will then increase the rate at which your body breaks down fillers and injectables. Eating healthy food after fillers is particularly important.
Limit exercise
Exercising regularly is generally one of the best things we can do for our mental and physical wellbeing however it can increase your metabolism which in turn increases the rate at which your body breaks down the filler. This by no means is a reason to stop exercise but it’s something to take into account with your expectations of how long your filler may last.