What are skin fillers?
Skin or dermal fillers are collagen materials made of synthetic or natural substances and are used for injection in the dermis layer of the skin to enhance the soft tissues. Dermal fillers have gained significant use for aesthetic functions to clear disturbing skin conditions that normally develop with age. Examples include creases, lines and wrinkles.
The principal function of dermal fillers is the reversing signs of intrinsic and extrinsic ageing. Therefore, the main purpose is to return the dermis to its original condition: beautiful and youthful in nature. In comparison to surgical procedures, dermal fillers give a more youthful and natural appearance. Surgical face operations, such as a face lift, stretch the skin into an unnatural position.
The most common signs of skin in need of dermal fillers include lines and wrinkles, which are mainly due to ageing, scars and depressions like acne scars and those due to surgery and trauma; dermal atrophy due to causes like morphea; and lip augmentation.
How do skin fillers work?
Dermal fillers are injected into the area of skin, which will pump it up the area to level it with other parts of the skin. Different fillers may function in different ways, but the result will leave the skin looking plump and firm, young and refreshed. Dermal fillers can treat the following:
- Lip Enhancement (volume, size)
- Facial Lines (lips, Nasolabial = smile/frown lines, etc)
- Wrinkles (Forehead, crow’s feet)
- Weak/Sunken Cheeks
- Acne scars
- General scarring
- Unsightly Veins
- Neck and hands
What types of dermal fillers are available?
There are two major types of dermal fillers which are used widely in cosmetic clinics. These are the permanent and the non-permanent types. Both types have different sub-types depending on how they are made, their main purpose of application, how they are used and, finally, their main composition in terms of materials.
We use Juvaderm ULTRA® skin fillers, produced by Allergan (the company behind Botox®). These are the most effective skin fillers on the market today, providing longer lasting, and smoother results than other skin fillers.
Collagen is the most popular non-permanent filler and is suitable for filling soft tissues by means of injection. This type of filler is available in different levels of thickness, and depending on the depth of the lines and wrinkles, an appropriate thickness will be chosen during your consultation.
Among our dermatological cosmetic experts, a hyaluronic acid based collagen filler is the favoured filler. Your advisor will assess your skin and carry out test spots to find you the most suitable dermal filler for your needs.