What is Filler? Why and When Would You Want It?
What is Filler?
Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance in the human body. It is contained mostly in the skin and is responsible for holding in water which gives the skin a youthful, radiant appearance. As you age, the amount of hyaluronic acid you have naturally decreases. This explains why it has become such a popular ingredient in many anti-aging skincare products.
But what if putting hyaluronic acid on top of your skin isn’t enough? Enter dermal fillers!
Dermal fillers are gel like products made of hyaluronic acid and are used to restore volume and augment facial features. There are many different types of dermal filler, but I prefer to use hyaluronic acid fillers because they are reversible with an antidote called hyaluronidase. At Even Esthetics™, I have chosen to use the Restylane family of fillers because I feel they are more easily reversed for safety reasons and give a better end result.
Within the Restylane family, there are many different types of hyaluronic acid fillers. I choose which product to use based upon your desired result and the area we are treating. Some fillers are stronger and more supportive- I use these fillers to mimic bone. Some fillers are thinner and more puddle-like. I use thinner fillers to mimic the skin and fill fine static lines. Then there are a variety of products in between which can be used for treating different areas!
Filler lasts anywhere from 6-18 months depending on the product used, the area treated, and individual factors such as metabolism.
Why Would You Want Filler?
Filler is such an important tool in an aesthetic tool box. There are numerous ways to use dermal filler to improve facial features and rejuvenate the face!
Here are some of my favorite reasons to use dermal fillers:
Volume Loss: As we age, we lose the good fat that supports our facial features. As this good fat is lost and gravity pulls the skin down, it can result in an aged and tired appearance. Using dermal fillers in the cheeks, tear troughs, and jawline can rejuvenate the face and restore the volume that you used to have.
Augmentation: Dermal filler is a safe and effective way to augment facial features to create a more balanced appearance. I love using dermal filler on the lips to give hydration and definition! I can also give cheeks more definition and contour, even if you have not had volume loss.
Deep lines or static lines: Static lines are wrinkles which are present when you are not moving your face. Popular areas to treat are the lines from the corner of your nose to your mouth (known as nasolabial folds) and lines from the corner of your mouth to the chin (known as marionette lines). Dermal filler is an excellent way to support the surrounding tissue, and sometimes to fill the line itself.
When Would You Want to Get Filler?
Many clients ask me when they should start getting filler. The answer really depends on the outcome you are trying to achieve! Here are some examples of various treatments broken down by decade:
20’s: Many of my clients are looking to accentuate their appearance by augmenting their lips or cheeks. They have not necessarily lost volume or had age-related changes, but they want their lips to be more proportioned and exaggerate their pout. Adding cheek filler in your 20’s can give you the contour that you normally achieve with makeup! I can also define your jawline and project your chin to give a strong but feminine profile.
30’s: By the age of 35, you have lost an average of 10% of the good fat volume in your face. This volume will continue to decrease by about 1% each year! To combat these early signs of aging, we can start using dermal filler to maintain volume and prevent further aging.
40’s: Once in your 40’s, the aging process can become more apparent. You may start to notice skin sagging and deeper lines. Dermal fillers can help to support the skin in the areas you have lost volume. A popular treatment in this decade is cheek filler to give a more rested and youthful appearance. I often treat the jaw line to help strengthen the jaw and improve the appearance of jowls.
50’s and up: As you continue to age, you will also continue to lose volume. While it happens gradually, sometimes it may feel like it happened overnight! It is never too late to start dermal fillers, but as you lose more volume you require more filler to replace it. If you have been replacing lost volume over the years, you will not require as much filler as someone starting in their 50’s. If you are over 50 and considering filler for the first time, don’t wait! Let’s restore some of that volume and prevent further age related changes!
Filler costs vary depending on the area treated and how much product it takes to reach your goal. If you are interested in filler treatment, please contact Even Esthetics™ here, or schedule a filler consult here!
