Dermal Fillers – What Are They?

Dermal fillers are substances injected into the skin to restore volume, smooth lines and wrinkles, and enhance facial contours. They are commonly used in cosmetic procedures to address signs of ageing or to augment specific facial features.

Fillers are typically made from various substances, including hyaluronic acid, calcium hydroxylapatite, poly-L-lactic acid, and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). Hyaluronic acid fillers are the most popular and widely used, as hyaluronic acid is a natural substance found in the skin that helps retain moisture and softness, making it well-suited for filling in lines and wrinkles and adding volume.

Dermal fillers are injected beneath the skin’s surface to plump up areas that have lost volume or to enhance facial features like cheeks, lips, and jawline. The effects of dermal fillers are temporary, lasting anywhere from several months to over a year, depending on the type of filler used and individual factors such as metabolism and lifestyle.

Common uses of dermal fillers include:

• Smoothing out lines and wrinkles, such as nasolabial folds (smile lines) and marionette lines.
• Adding volume to areas that have lost fat or collagen due to ageing, such as the cheeks or temples.
• Enhancing facial contours, such as defining the jawline or chin.
• Augmenting lips to make them fuller and more defined.
• Correcting asymmetry or irregularities in facial features.

There are several brands of dermal fillers available on the market, each with its own unique formulations and properties. Some of the brands that our providers use include:

• Juvéderm: Produced by Allergan, Juvéderm offers a range of hyaluronic acid-based fillers designed to address various concerns, such as adding volume, smoothing lines and wrinkles, and enhancing lips.
• Restylane: Manufactured by Galderma, Restylane also utilizes hyaluronic acid to provide volume and contouring to the face. It offers a variety of products tailored to different areas and concerns, including Restylane Lyft for cheek augmentation and Restylane Silk for lip enhancement.
• Revanesse: Revanesse fillers are formulated with cross-linked hyaluronic acid to provide natural-looking results and long-lasting correction of wrinkles and folds.

It’s important to have dermal fillers administered by a qualified and experienced medical professional to minimize risks and ensure optimal results. Potential side effects may include bruising, swelling, redness, and rarely, more serious complications such as infection or allergic reactions.

If you would like to schedule a consultation to discuss how dermal fillers might work for you, please call our office at 617-492-0620 and a member of our team will be happy to help schedule a consultation.