Dermal Fillers: Care Before and After Treatment

Dermal fillers are a quick fix for hollow areas of the face and pesky wrinkles, such as crow’s feet, frown lines, and smile lines. But although the procedure itself is pretty simple, there are certain precautions you need to take before and after in order to limit any adverse reactions and get the best results. We’re here to fill you in on dermal fillers and how DefenAge’s skin care line can ensure your newly restored complexion lasts as long as possible!

 

 

 

What Are Dermal Fillers?

Dermal fillers are among the most popular and minimally invasive cosmetic treatments. Dermal or soft tissue fillers are injectable treatments that involve the placement of a gel-like substance beneath the skin’s surface to fill wrinkles and restore lost facial volume, rejuvenate sunken areas, and enhance the lips, chin, and jawline (among other uses). Most fillers have hyaluronic acid, a substance that encourages the body to produce elastin and collagen to keep the skin young and supple. Results can last up to five years, depending on the filler type.

 

Types of Dermal Fillers

There are many dermal fillers on the market in the U.S. Some options, including the popular Juvéderm and Restylane, are hyaluronic acid-based and work by filling wrinkles and folds from the inside out. Hyaluronic acid is found naturally throughout our bodies, but production slows with advancing age.

More permanent fillers, such as Sculptra and Radiesse, work by stimulating collagen production underneath your skin’s surface. Collagen is one of the main structural proteins that give the skin its youthful properties. Like hyaluronic acid, our supply dwindles with age.

 

 

Who Are The Best Candidates For Dermal Fillers?

If you are concerned about fine lines and wrinkles and/or loss of volume such as sinking cheeks, dermal fillers may be an attractive option. Scheduling a consultation with a dermatologist or plastic surgeon is the best way to determine if dermal fillers are right for you and which ones will produce the most natural and beautiful results.

 

 

How Do Dermal Fillers Work?

Dermal fillers work in a few ways. Some, like hyaluronic-acid based fillers, volumize wrinkles from the inside out. Others boost the production of collagen beneath the skin’s surface.

 

 

What Areas Can Be Treated With Dermal Fillers?

Dermal fillers are most commonly used to fill facial lines such as crow's feet, nasolabial folds (nose to mouth lines), and marionette lines (lines that form in the corners of your mouth). They may also be used to plump lips and restore volume to the cheeks and lower face. Lower eyelids can be rejuvenated with some filler injections to reduce eye bags or a sunken appearance. Some injectors may use fillers to perform what is often referred to as “liquid nose jobs.” Dermal fillers can even help smooth the appearance of scars.

With so many fillers now available in the U.S. market, it is important to see an experienced medical professional to learn which will produce the best results for you.

 

According to Dr. Monica Bonakdar in Newport Beach and Rancho Mirage, CA, “I am a big fan of using the most advanced fillers strategically to rejuvenate the entire face and to transform my patients to a more scientifically and artistically beautiful version of themselves. After their filler injections, we recommend that they incorporate DefenAge 24/7 Barrier Balance Anti-Aging Cream and the 8-in-1 BioSerum to further synergistic improvement of their results.”

 

 

Pre-Treatment Preparation

In the weeks leading up to your injections, make sure your skin is in prime shape by using DefenAge’s 1-Step Multi-Cleanse in the morning and at night along with the 2-Minute Reveal Masque once or twice a week.

The things you do before your filler treatment will help reduce the amount of bruising, swelling, and irritation you experience after the fact. For best results, you should abstain from the following for at least three days before treatment:

• Taking blood thinners, supplements, and other medications
• Drinking alcohol
• Consuming salty foods
• Waxing, bleaching, or tweezing your face
• Applying retinoid-based topicals

On the day of your treatment, make sure you show up with a clean face free of makeup. A gentle cleanser is perfect for removing impurities from the surface of your skin. Our 1-Step Multi-Cleanse is great for taking off makeup and clearing the pores for maximum post-treatment results.

 

 

What Will I Experience During My Dermal Filler Treatment?

Dermal filler treatment can last anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour depending on how many areas are being treated. Today’s dermal fillers often contain an anesthetic mixed into the injection to help reduce any pain. After your doctor injects the filler, he or she will likely massage the area for a smoother result.

 

 

What Can You Expect After A Dermal Filler Treatment?

Expect some swelling and bruising after your dermal filler injections. The area may feel sore for a day or two. You may be offered an ice pack to reduce swelling and alleviate any discomfort that occurs immediately after your treatment. With some fillers, results are immediate, while others appear more gradually. Results can last 6 months to 2 years or longer depending on what product and volume are used.

 

Dermal Filler Aftercare and Helpful Ingredients

Aftercare for facial fillers is all about leaving your skin alone as much as possible for at least a full day. After getting dermal fillers, avoid touching your face for a minimum of six hours. The filler could migrate beneath your skin surface to dangerous areas, so massaging your face is not recommended.

Once this time frame has passed, you can wash your face with lukewarm water and a mild cleanser. You should wait for at least 24 hours before using any retinoids or vitamin C or receiving any other facial treatments that could exacerbate the irritation and swelling. Do not drink alcohol or vigorously exercise for a minimum of 24 hours after treatment. Once your injections have healed, you can begin to incorporate the DefenAge 24/7 Barrier Balance Anti-Aging Cream and the 8-in-1 BioSerum to improve upon your results.

It is completely normal to notice some bruising, swelling, tenderness, and/or itching after your treatment. Here are some face filler aftercare tips that can help with all of these side effects:

• Use a cool compress to alleviate swelling
• Take paracetamol for pain (with your physician’s permission)
• Ask your doctor about Bromelain, Bruderm, or Hirudoid for bruising
• Consult a doctor about antiviral medication for cold sores

 

Potential Complications and Retreatments

If you end up with hot, red skin, a fever, severe pain, or discoloration in untreated areas after the procedure, contact your doctor right away. These are not normal symptoms and necessitate immediate medical attention. Other complications could include infection and vascular occlusion, which is when the filler has been inadvertently injected into a blood vessel. These manifest as white spots, sudden acute pain, and blanching, and could lead to necrosis (tissue death) or blindness if left untreated.

In some cases, patients do not see the results they hoped for in the first visit. While we recommend supplementing your fillers with DefenAge skin care products, you can also receive retreatment a month after the initial injection. Once you’ve achieved your desired look, you can maintain the results with annual injections.

 

 

Who Should Inject Dermal Fillers?

Only experienced injectors such as plastic surgeons, facial plastic surgeons, dermatologists, or oculoplastic surgeons should perform these procedures.

NOTE: Always consult your medical professional to learn more about dermal fillers and before applying any products to your skin post procedure.