Dermal fillers have changed the aesthetic industry by helping clients achieve a more youthful look with little to no invasive procedures. However, as the practice gains popularity, more questions arise about its potential risks and side effects.
Patients often wonder if fillers will damage their face and what to do to avoid this. To help boost your clients’ confidence in facial filler procedures, this guide answers this question and highlights potential precautions about do fillers ruin your face.
So, What are Dermal Fillers?
Fillers are gel-like substances injected into the skin to give it a plump effect. The gel-like substance often contains Hyaluronic Acid (HA). However, there are more filler formulations available in the market today discussed below.
The reason hyaluronic acid(HA) has become the go-to formula among practitioners is because it is a natural sugar. This makes it more receptive to the body. How does it function? By attracting and retaining water in the treated area, ensuring long-lasting results. The results last for over six months, with the body slowly breaking down the HA filler components.
Hyaluronic acid fillers smooth out fine lines and wrinkles, and enhance facial contours, reversing the signs of old age. Due to their non-invasive nature and minimal downtime, fillers are often preferred over surgical methods.
Other types of fillers include
- Calcium Hydroxylapatite (CaHA) fillers: Made from calcium components. Calcium helps the skin regain its structure over time after CaHA fillers are injected into the skin. Practitioners prefer these fillers to restore deep structural volume loss and smooth out deeper wrinkles. The effects of these fillers last up to two years. However, you may recommend touch ups when necessary to sustain the client’s desired appearance.
- Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) Fillers:This filler type contains collagen. After the fillers are injected into the skin, the body naturally breaks down the collagen, helping the skin regain its texture and elasticity. Even after the collagen in the fillers is depleted, the skin keeps producing more collagen because of the tiny microspheres present in the filler’s formulation. PMMA fillers are suitable for patients looking for a more permanent solution because their effects may last for years.
- Poly-L-lactic acid fillers-These fillers stimulate collagen production and have slower results than other fillers. The effects of these fillers can last anywhere between 18 to 24 months ,depending on the client’s needs.
Each type of filler has its own advantages and disadvantages. They all vary in terms of longevity and volume. You should evaluate your clients’ needs and advise them on the best type of filler to get based on their desires and expectations.
What Do Dermal Fillers Do?
Fillers are used to reverse various signs of old age that manifest as a result of reduced collagen production or repeated exposure to the sun. Some common treatment areas for dermal fillers include marionette lines, lips, the neck, nasolabial folds, the nose, and the cheeks. Overall, dermal fillers redefine facial features by making them more symmetrical:
- Volume loss due to reduced collagen production
- Wrinkles
- Static lines
- Eye bags
- Frown lines
Do Fillers Ruin the Face?
The most common fear among clients is whether a dermal filler procedure will “ruin” the aesthetic integrity of their facial features. The belief is fueled by the various horror stories on social media. But this should be taken with a grain of salt as most of them emerge from myths and misconceptions. Additionally, the before-and-after pictures are often the result of botched procedures, poor technique, and improper aftercare.
Botched procedures are often a result of professionals and patients using substandard products. Therefore, it is important to get fillers from reputable brands to ensure patients are safe even after the procedure.
This is particularly necessary today when black-market dermal fillers are readily available online. Getting the right product will significantly reduce the risk of these complications. Now, let’s review some of the complications that may arise from botched dermal fillers:
1. Pillow face
This occurs when the practitioner uses too much filler on the treatment areas, leading to a puffy appearance. Patients who experience this are likely to have a round and unnatural look.
However, despite all the before-and-after pictures on social media, this complication is uncommon. To prevent it, proper injection technique is essential. Therefore, the practitioner needs to exercise high levels of care during the procedure to avoid an overfilled appearance. Ensure you understand the anatomy of your patient’s face to know where to administer the treatment and the proportions of filler material to use.
Additionally, it is important to have an in depth consultation with the client to manage their expectations. Some patients may have unrealistic expectations of the intended results, which may lead to overfilling.
During these consultations, practitioners can also resolve any emerging issues after the procedure and provide proper aftercare tips, preventing any escalation that may result in this complication.
2. Dermal filler migration
If injected incorrectly, facial fillers may migrate from the desired treatment site, leading to asymmetry. The complication can occur when the procedure is done without precision or understanding of the facial anatomy. This further underscores the importance of having the right qualification and experience to carry out the procedure.
This complication can be avoided by identifying the right dermal filler depending on the patient’s needs. As highlighted , there are different types of fillers, with different properties. The properties make some types better suited for certain areas.
For instance, some fillers are better suited for deep tissue due to their viscosity, while softer fillers are better suited for delicate areas such as lips. Choosing the wrong type of dermal fillers could lead to filler migration, which can lead to undesirable results.
The correct injection technique can also prevent dermal migration. It is important for you to ensure the fillers are correctly injected to prevent any risk of migration.
3. Vascular occlusion
This is an uncommon complication that occurs when the filler is unintentionally injected into a blood vessel. The filler restricts blood flow through the vessel, potentially leading to tissue necrosis( death of tissues). The complication can be resolved by injecting hyaluronidase into the affected blood vessel to dissolve the hyaluronic acid present in HA fillers.
4. Duck lips
This is the most common complication of dermal fillers and is common among celebrities with overfilled lips. The complication is often a desired effect, but it may cause an asymmetrical look when overdone. This can also be prevented by advising clients against unrealistic expectations that may cause overfilling.
5. Lumpiness
Lumpiness may occur as a result of poor injection technique, especially when the filler is unevenly distributed. Lumping can also occur as a result of the body’s natural response to the filler components. This can also be prevented through proper injection techniques to ensure filler material is evenly distributed across the treatment area.
Proper massage and maintenance can also manage lumpiness. Massaging spreads the filler to achieve the desired result. When massages do not give the desired result, you can administer the enzyme hyaluronidase to dissolve HA fillers.
6. Hematoma
After the procedure, swelling and bruising may occur due to skin manipulation and needle punctures during the injections. The bruising and swelling should subside in a few days. However, on rare occasions, the bruising may persist as a result of a hematoma that occurs when a vessel is punctured during the procedure. Once punctured, the vessel leaks blood to the adjacent tissues.
This further underscores the need for a qualified practitioner who understands the patient’s facial anatomy and possesses the proper skills to administer this form of treatment. A skilled practitioner can also identify which treatment areas are better suited to use a cannula rather than a needle. Special care should also be taken when administering this treatment on areas with visible blood vessels to prevent puncturing them.
This can also be avoided through a comprehensive medical history assessment before the procedure. During the assessment, you should check whether a patient was taking any blood-thinning medication that could heighten the risk of excessive bleeding.
7. Tyndall effect
The John Tyndall effect acquired its name from the physicist, who discovered that light is scattered by matter in its path. As such, this complication is characterized by bluish discoloration on the skin, which is common when fillers are injected superficially or when the client’s skin is too thin.
Fillers with higher viscosity are likely to cause discoloration as they take longer to dissolve. Researchers often attribute the blue-gray discoloration to the displacement of veins by the excess HA.
This effect can also be managed through light massages to help spread out the filler material or injecting hyaluronidase to dissolve HA fillers.
8. Allergies
On rare occasions, the patient may be allergic to the ingredients that make up the fillers. Although HA is a natural substance, in rare circumstances, the body may be hypersensitive to the additives in the filler.
Allergic reactions can occur either immediately or after a filler injection procedure. Immediate hypersensitivity results from histamine production in response to the filler’s components. This can be resolved by administering antihistamines to the patient to reduce the swelling and prevent edema.
Delayed hypersensitivity, on the other hand, can be resolved using steroids that help reduce inflammation. Practitioners can avoid this complication by taking a comprehensive medical history and making an informed decision on which filler type would best suit a patient’s unique need.
Long-term Effects of Fillers
A common misconception about dermal fillers is that their repeated use damages the treated sites, accelerating signs of old age. Another myth is that the facial areas will likely look more hollow once the fillers dissolve entirely.
Here are some truths about these myths
- Repeated use of dermal fillers does not accelerate signs of old age. With proper care, maintenance, and administration, fillers should resolve the patients’ concerns over time.
- Some dermal fillers give the patient long-term benefits due to increased collagen production, addressing concerns such as wrinkling and sagging skin.
- The temporary nature of dermal fillers translates to reduced structural complications. Unlike surgical methods, dermal fillers dissolve after a while. This should assure patients that any lumping or asymmetry that may occur is reversible.
- Any form of treatment needs to be maintained properly. Neglecting the treated areas may lead to further deterioration of the facial features. Therefore, it is important to devise a proper aftercare routine to ensure proper maintenance and optimum results.
- The filler’s quality plays a significant role in the long-term outcome of a dermal filler injection. Reputable brands often have their products tested by qualified practitioners to guarantee the best results and minimal complications.
So, Do Dermal FIllers Ruin Your Face?
For the question: do fillers ruin your face, the short answer is no. If the procedure is performed by a skilled individual who understands all the potential risks and complications, it is generally safe. Through proper injection techniques, patients can achieve their desired look. Correct aftercare is also essential to ensure satisfactory results.
Why Choose Yastrid Dermal Fillers?
Yastrid values its customers’ satisfaction and safety. We are committed to providing our clients with quality products that will definitely give them the desired results. Our Hyaluronic Acid fillers are tested and cross-examined by qualified practitioners who guarantee reduced risks of complications.
With our fillers, you worry less about ruining your clients’ face. Our products are also affordable and easily accessible at the press of a button. Reach out today for further inquiries or to place an order.