Dermal fillers have become a very popular nonsurgical alternative for many men and women. They offer a quick way to achieve a more rejuvenated look without the pain, recovery, expenses, and potential risks of a facial plastic surgery procedure. Dermal fillers have a long list of potential applications, from smoothing away fine lines and wrinkles to filling acne scars. They are an ideal choice for those patients in the early stages of the aging process who may not yet be ready for a surgical procedure, for various reasons.
Yet, with the dramatic increase in dermal filler requests in recent years, there is one looming question about this alternative treatment. Are dermal fillers safe for the patient?
How Dermal Fillers Work
Before we can discuss whether dermal fillers are truly safe to use, it’s important to talk about how they work and what they can really do for a patient. Dermal fillers are used to smooth away fine lines wrinkles, scars, and depressions in the skin. They can also be used to reshape and add volume to strategic areas of the face. There are many types of dermal fillers available today, such as Juvederm, Perlane, Sculptra, Radiesse, Restylane, BellaFill, and Juvederm Voluma XC, which are all available at the Aesthetic Surgery Center.
Generally speaking, dermal fillers are comprised of biocompatible materials that are specially designed to give the skin a firmer, smoother appearance. They are injected beneath the dermis to plump and fill that area, which in turn will smooth the skin and diminish the visibility of certain types of imperfections. Dermal fillers are available in many types of formulas, as listed above, each with its own ideal application.
Benefits of Dermal Filler Treatments
While dermal fillers are a non-surgical way to address early aging concerns, that’s not all these treatments have to offer their patients. Some of the major benefits of dermal fillers include:
- Minimal downtime. There is no need for long recovery. Patients are able to return to their scheduled activities within the same day, typically.
- Immediate results. Dermal filler patients can see some results right away. Full results can take a few days to appear.
- Diverse applications. Patients turn to dermal filler treatments to address lost facial volume, many types of scars, thin lips, deep creases, fine lines, wrinkles, and more. They can be used to treat crow’s feet, frown lines, and smile lines.
- Mild side effects. Dermal filler patients typically experience a slight pinch during the injection, then mild soreness or redness afterwards. Any side effects will fade on their own within a few days.
- Low risk for complications. Beyond the basic post-treatment side effects, dermal fillers also carry a very low risk of other potential complications.
- Affordability. Fillers tend to be less costly than surgery, although one does not replace the other.
Potential Risks of Dermal Fillers
There is no such thing as a completely risk-free procedure, but it is possible to choose a treatment with very low risks for very mild potential complications. Dermal fillers are just that for many of the patients who opt for this type of treatment. Initial reactions to dermal filler treatment are very mild, including slight pain, redness, bruising and swelling that can be treated with a cold compress and basic over-the-counter pain medication. Even these coping methods are rarely necessary.
Beyond initial side effects, dermal fillers are a very safe choice for anti-aging treatments. For some patients, an allergic reaction may be possible, depending on the patient’s own health and the dermal filler chosen for the procedure. While all fillers are biocompatible, some may be derived from sources that could trigger an allergic reaction. Talk to your plastic surgeon prior to your treatment to avoid this potential risk.
Most of the potential complications that may follow dermal filler treatments can be resolved by choosing an experienced and highly skilled plastic surgeon to perform your injections. An inexperienced clinician is more likely to cause post-treatment bumps or granules beneath the skin, cell death in the skin near the treatment area, and over- or under-filling of the treatment area. To get both the safest and most effective treatment with dermal fillers, your choice of clinician or plastic surgeon is of the utmost importance.
Planning Dermal Filler Treatments
To learn more about the many ways you can enhance your lips, contact the Aesthetic Surgery Center to book an appointment with Dr. Anurag Agarwal or Dr. Richard Maloney, one of our plastic surgeons. They have been featured on many of the major news networks, including ABC, NBC, and FOX, as recognized experts on a variety of plastic surgery topics. Dr. Agarwal and Dr. Maloney believe that educating and communicating with their patients are the keys to helping them achieve successful, natural-looking results. Book your appointment at the Aesthetic Surgery Center, located at 1175 Creekside Parkway #100 in Naples, FL, by calling (239) 594-9100.