5 Things to Look Out For When Doing Fillers

Nonsurgical cosmetic treatments have been increasingly popular, with more and more people opting for dermal fillers. It is easy to understand why – as these injectable treatments can help patients address common signs of aging and regain plump and youthful skin without going under the knife.

What exactly are dermal fillers?

Dermal Fillers are injectable gels that can “fill in” sunken areas of the face that have lost volume over time. These areas include fine lines, nasolabial folds, and sunken cheeks. 

It can also remove eye bags and dark eye circles, plump the lips, define the chin, contour the face, decrease the appearance of deep wrinkles and increase the height of the nose bridge without surgery. 

The gel used in fillers is commonly known as hyaluronic acid (HA) or calcium, which are similar substances found in our bodies. At Cutis Laser Clinics, we provide fillers made of HA and calcium-based microspheres:

• HA fillers (Juvederm) – Hyaluronic acid-based fillers are used to restore volume and structure that the skin loses over time. They can also add volume in the cheeks, fill the lips, augment the chin and increase the height of the nose bridge without surgery.
• Calcium-Based Microspheres (Radiesse). These dermal fillers are made of tiny calcium-based microspheres suspended in a water-based gel. These can plump the skin, improve the lines on the face, add volume to the cheeks, as well as to fill the lips and nasolabial folds. Radiesse is also a bio-stimulator which means it stimulates your body to produce collagen over time.

How long does the treatment take

The treatment itself may take at least 60 to 120 minutes depending on the number of filler to be used and the number of areas to be treated. Your treatment time will also depend if you prefer to have a numbing cream before your procedure. 

The application of numbing cream is optional but most of our patients prefer to numb the area to reduce discomfort. The preparation of numbing can take an additional 30 minutes prior to your filler treatment. 

After your treatment, you can see the improvement immediately but the full results can be seen after two weeks. Depending on the time of filler used, the results last between 9 and 12 months, or up to two years or more in other types of fillers. 

There is no denying on how dermal fillers can give you a younger-looking appearance. But just like any type of cosmetic treatment, there can be risks, side effects and possible complications. 

This is why it’s very important to learn more about these injectables before booking your treatment. Here are a few things you need to look out for when doing fillers:

1. What you want to achieve

As dermal fillers have a number of uses, you need to identify your primary concerns and goals for getting the treatment. Are you considering to fillers to plump up your lips? Remove eye and dark circles? Lift sunken cheeks? Or soften fine lines and wrinkles? Determine what you want to achieve and be realistic about your expectations.

2. Not all dermal fillers are the same

The best type of fillers is FDA-approved HA fillers or those that have been established for many years like Juvederm. Another good option is Radiesse, which is made of calcium-based microspheres or mineral similar to what is naturally found in the body. 

You may want to avoid those made of silicone that is semi-permanent and susceptible to lumps. You should also know that semi-permanent fillers are not reversible, which means you will need to wait for it to be broken down by your body.

As for HA fillers (Juvederm), they are reversible which means it can be dissolved in case you did not like how it turned out. Unlike HA filler, Radiesse is not reversible but it is not permanent either as it gets metabolized in your body over a period of months. 

3. Find a skilled and qualified injector

Dermal filler injections should only be administered by a skilled aesthetic doctor. This is why when looking for a clinic or practitioner, you need to know who will administer the injection, what kinds of credentials/training they have, and how long they have been doing the treatment. Those with a good reputation and extensive experience are better.

Moreover, your result will depend on the skill and technique of your aesthetic doctor which is why finding the right one is a must. 

4. What to expect from a filler consultation

During the consultation, you and the practitioner will need to discuss your goals, medical conditions/general health, and available treatments. The injector will also explain the type of dermal filler suitable for you based on your concerns and budget, the course of the treatment, as well as the expected results and its longevity.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions especially if you are unsure in certain aspects of the treatment. You can ask about the risks and possible side effects of the procedure, and what you should do if they occur. 

You can also ask your aesthetic doctor to show you before and after photos of their own patients to check their expertise based on the results. 

5. Cheaper isn’t always better

While cheaper injections are always tempting, do take note that fillers are still cosmetic treatments and shouldn’t be taken lightly. While the most expensive treatment is not necessarily the best, you shouldn’t base your decision on the lowest price tag. 

Excellent injection skills of an aesthetic doctor do come with a price but it’s rewards include having natural-looking results. Make sure to find a practitioner that you trust and has been performing filler injections for a long time. 

Schedule a Consultation

Be an informed patient by researching about the procedure and the things you need to know before getting it done.

Contact Cutis Laser Clinics in Singapore today and schedule a consultation with our Harvard-trained skin specialist, Dr. Sylvia Ramirez, to find out if you’re a good candidate for dermal fillers.

Tags:  Eye Bags and Dark Circles, Wrinkles Treatments, Dermal Fillers