For those new to dermal fillers, you likely have numerous questions: selecting the ideal filler, determining who should consider fillers, understanding the pain level, recognising potential risks or side effects, knowing the durability of dermal fillers, and ensuring desirable outcomes. This article aims to address these questions...
Fillers – what are they made of?
Different types of fillers have been used throughout the years, however today almost all fillers are made of hyaluronic acid, a natural substance found in our body. Hyaluronic acid binds large amounts of water and keeps our body tissues – for example, our joints, muscles and skin – lubricated and smooth.1
Natural hyaluronic acid in our skin forms and degrades within a day.1 The hyaluronic acid used in Restylane® fillers has been stabilised, by cross-linking the long hyaluronic acid molecules. This means that it will last much longer before the body breaks it down. The hyaluronic acid used in Restylane® is non-animal in origin, and is derived from bacterial fermentation.
What makes filler treatments an often preferred choice over other aesthetic options?
Different aesthetic treatments target different needs. Hyaluronic acid-based fillers are generally used to:
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Fill: Flexible fillers (as opposed to firmer fillers) are used for filling in wrinkles in areas of the face that are highly mobile. These include marionette lines (running from the corners of the mouth down to the chin) and nasolabial folds (the fold lines running from the nose to the corners of the mouth). These flexible fillers maintain movement and natural facial expressions.
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Lift and build structure: For example, to change the profile of your nose, change the shape of your chin, or to lift your cheeks. In these cases, firmer fillers are frequently used.
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Volumise: For example, adding volume to lips or cheeks. In these cases, a softer and flexible filler is usually administered for a more natural-looking result.
How do I choose the right type of filler?
If the above sounds complicated, don’t worry. As a patient, you don’t have to be an expert on different filler gel properties. A qualified healthcare practitioner knows what type of filler is best to get the desired result.
Qualified healthcare practitioners are also experts on facial anatomy. For example, a person who has thinner tissue coverage in the cheeks can get a better-looking result with softer fillers. A person with thicker tissue coverage can use firmer fillers that can provide a lift.
Brands such as RESTYLANE® have put a lot of effort into developing different kinds of filler gels for personalised treatments, so a healthcare professional can select the exact filler gel to deliver a desired treatment result.
Remember that you should always consult a qualified healthcare practitioner!
How long do fillers last?
This is probably one of the most frequently asked questions. Unfortunately, there is no straight answer to this question.
The hyaluronic acid in fillers is generally broken down a bit quicker by the body in areas that you move a lot, such as your lips. Some fillers can be quite long-lasting despite that.
Restylane® KYSSE™, a filler that is used in the lips, has been shown to last up to one year.2 Whereas, Restylane® VOLYME™, which is used to provide soft volume to the cheeks, has been shown to last up to 18 months.3
In areas that are not as ‘dynamic’ (i.e., don’t move a lot), such as your jawline or chin, the filler will usually last longer. Treatments with Restylane® DEFYNE™ can last up to 1 year.4 Restylane® LYFT™ can last up to 24 months with one retreatment at 12 months.5
Ask your healthcare practitioner how long you can expect the filler/fillers used in your specific case to last.
Are filler treatments painful?
Restylane® fillers today contain a local anesthetic, lidocaine, that aims to take away most of the pain and makes the treatment more comfortable for you. Your healthcare practitioner may also apply extra anaesthetic cream on your skin.
Many people are afraid of needles, but the actual time it takes to inject a filler is usually very short, seconds or minutes. Generally, a lot more time is spent on the consultation before the treatment. During the consultation, your healthcare practitioner will make a facial assessment and discuss your goals for the treatment. This is a great opportunity for you to ask all the questions you may have and to explain what results you want.
Make sure to prepare for the consultation by thinking through your questions and exactly what result you want. This will help the healthcare practitioner to tailor the treatment to you!
Are there any side effects from fillers?
You should always discuss side effects with your healthcare practitioner before your treatment. He or she will know whether a filler treatment will work well in your specific case and give advice on what you should do in the event you experience any side effects. Common injection-related side effects include redness, bruising, swelling, itching, pain or tenderness at the treatment site.
How to ensure natural-looking results?
Remember that clinics want happy customers who come back. If you want a specific result, tell your healthcare practitioner! Feel free to bring images along if that helps you to explain what you want.
Your healthcare practitioner will listen to you, complete a facial assessment and then tailor the treatment so that your treatment goals are optimised. If you want a natural-looking result so that no one guesses that you’ve had filler treatments – tell them.
ASK YOUR HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL IF RESTYLANE® IS RIGHT FOR YOU.RESTYLANE® is an unfunded medicine device. Product and treatment costs apply.Restylane® is a Class III medical device, is a gel containing hyaluronic acid 20 mg/mL and lidocaine 0.3%, for injection by a healthcare professional into or below the skin to improve skin structure, hydration and elasticity.Restylane® has risks and benefits. Ask your healthcare professional if Restylane® is right for you and to explain the possible side effects. Tell them if any side effects concern you. ALWAYS FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS YOU ARE GIVEN. For precautions and contraindications, see www.galdermaaesthetics.com/nz.
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References:
- Papakonstantinou E et al. Dermatoendocrinol. 2012 Jul 1; 4(3): 253–258.
- Restylane® KYSSE™ lasts up to at least one year: Hilton S et al. Dermatol Surg 2018;44:261–269.
- Restylane® VOLYME™ lasts up to at least 18 months: Talarico S et al. Dermatol Surg 2015;41:1361–1369.
- Ascher et al. Dermatol Surg 2017;43:389–395.
- Cartier et al. J Drugs Dermatol. 2012 Jan;11(1 Suppl): s17-26.
NZ-RES-2200015. TAPS NP20846