Dermal Fillers: 7 Facts You Might Want to Know

Injectable fillers are loved by Mississauga patients for a lot of great reasons. They’re versatile and simple to administer, and their results can be truly transformative. But even if you think you know fillers, you may still be surprised by the details.

I want to dedicate this blog post to 7 of the most unexpected facts about these products to help you accurately plan your treatment.

1. Fillers are not usually permanent. Most fillers, including popular brands such as JUVÉDERM® and Restylane®, are made from an ingredient called hyaluronic acid. Also called HA, hyaluronic acid occurs naturally in skin and other tissues. When injected as a filler, HA breaks down on its own over time before the body metabolizes it away. Most fillers can last for at least 6 months. Other, non-HA fillers, such as Sculptra®, can last for several years.
2. BOTOX® and fillers are different. Although both products are administered via injection to reduce wrinkles, they work in different ways. BOTOX reduces muscle activity that causes certain types of wrinkles, such as crow’s feet and frown lines on the forehead. Fillers physically fill in wrinkles, adding volume and smoothing them away. These 2 types of products can be used on their own or in conjunction with each other for a complete result.
3. Many fillers are made with hyaluronic acid. As I mentioned earlier, HA is a popular active ingredient in many injectable fillers. HA is found naturally in the body and serves several functions. The most important of these is to keep tissues hydrated and resilient. Over time, the body’s natural production of HA diminishes, leading to many signs of aging.
4. Filler treatments usually take only about 20 minutes. Yes, you heard right—you can ease wrinkles on your lunch hour. Expect to be in and out of the office in less than a half hour.
5. You can return to your normal activities immediately.  There’s no need to put your life on hold after treatment. Your results won’t be affected by immediately going back to work, running errands, or engaging in any other usual activities.
6. Some side effects are common. Minor redness or swelling are the only common side effects with filler. Occasionally bruising or minor bumps which can be felt but not seen can occur. These typically resolve on their own within a few days. There are other complications that are much more rare which your doctor will review with you before treatment.
7. You can see your results immediately. This is where fillers really shine. Certain injectables, particularly BOTOX, require some time to take effect. On the other hand, the results of fillers can be enjoyed immediately. They go to work physically filling in wrinkles as soon as they’re administered, so you can go out the very same night as your appointment, showing off your refreshed face.

If you want additional information about dermal fillers, read more in our archive blog posts about BOTOX and JUVÉDERM.