Did you know that people were getting fillers 100 years ago? The FDA might have only recently approved fillers as beauty treatments, but long before that, you could get vaseline and paraffin wax injected into various parts of your body.
Thankfully, much safer and more effective fillers are available now. If you’re considering getting fillers for the first time, keep reading to find out what you can expect.
What are Fillers?
First of all, let’s briefly go over what fillers are. Fillers are injectable treatments that add volume to different areas of the face. They’re made from different materials, but the most common type is hyaluronic acid.
Hyaluronic acid is a substance that’s already found in your body. It’s what helps keep your skin hydrated and plump. So, when it’s injected as a filler, it does an excellent job of adding volume to the treated area.
What Areas Are Treated with Fillers?
Fillers treat many different areas of the face. The most common areas are the lips, cheeks, and under-eye area. But they can also be used for wrinkles and fine lines around the mouth and nose.
The most popular filler treatments are for:
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Loss of volume in the cheeks
- Sunken-in areas under the eyes
- Lips that are thin or have lost volume
The Different Types of Fillers
The type of filler you get will depend on the area you want to treat and your desired results.
The most common types of fillers are:
Hyaluronic acid fillers: This popular type of filler was discussed above. It is extremely effective and typically lasts for 3-9 months.
Collagen fillers: Collagen is another substance that’s naturally found in your body. It’s what helps keep your skin firm and elastic. Collagen fillers are made from animal or human collagen. They’re not as widely used as hyaluronic acid fillers, but they can be a good option for people who are allergic or sensitive to hyaluronic acid.
Man-made fillers: There are also man-made fillers that are made from synthetic materials. These fillers tend to be more permanent, but they can also be riskier.
The Different Between Botox and Dermal Fillers
Now that you know a little bit more about fillers, you might be wondering how they compare to Botox. Both Botox and fillers are injectable treatments that improve your appearance, but they work in different ways.
Botox is a neuromodulator. It works by temporarily paralyzing the muscles in the treated area. This can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
Dermal fillers, on the other hand, add volume to the treated area. This, we know, helps plump up thin lips, sunken-in cheeks, and under-eye hollows.
So, which one is right for you? That depends on your desired results. If you want to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, Botox might be a better option. But if you want to add volume, fillers are the way to go.
What to Expect When Getting Fillers
When you get fillers for the first time, the treatment itself is relatively simple and straightforward. First, your injector will clean the area that’s going to be treated. Then, they’ll inject the filler into your skin using a very thin needle. This is relatively pain-free.
The whole process takes about 30 minutes. And while you might feel a little bit of discomfort during the injections, it’s nothing that can’t be handled with a topical numbing cream.
What to Expect After the Treatment
After your treatment, you might have some swelling and redness in the treated area. But don’t worry, this is completely normal, and it should go away within a day or two. Your nurse will discuss filler aftercare to help the swelling go away.
You might also experience some bruising. Again, this is normal, and it should fade within a week or so.
In rare cases, you might have an allergic reaction to the filler material. If this happens, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately as it can be serious.
How Long Do Fillers Last?
One of the great things about fillers is that they’re not permanent. So, if you don’t like the way they look, you don’t have to worry about being stuck with them forever.
The length of time that fillers last will depend on the type of filler that’s used and the area that’s treated. For example, fillers that are injected into the lips generally don’t last as long as those that are injected into other areas. But on average, you can expect most fillers to last between 3 and 12 months.
Are There Any Side Effects?
Generally speaking, fillers are very safe. But as with any medical procedure, there are some risks involved. The most common filler side effects are bruising, swelling, and redness. These usually go away within a few days.
In rare cases, you might have an allergic reaction, or the filler could be injected into a blood vessel, which can cause serious problems. That’s why it’s important to only get filler treatments from a qualified medical professional who has experience with this type of procedure.
Are Fillers Right for Me?
If you’re considering getting fillers for the first time, the best way to find out if they’re right for you is to schedule a consultation with our professionals. During your consultation, they will assess your concerns and recommend the best treatment for you.
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