As a pre-teen you couldn’t wait for your ‘baby fat’ to go away. Now on the other side of 30, you are regretting the loss of fat pads on the face. Ageing is the main cause for loss of volume on the face. Due to less collagen, elastin and the fat pads, the face looks older and the skin is thinner. This gives rise to wrinkles between the eyebrows and around the eyes and deepening of nasolabial folds as well as tear trough deformities. To combat this issue, dermatologists suggest fillers. Hyaluronic Acid (HA) dermal fillers work well in restoring volume of the face. It also helps in lifting the skin and smoothing down wrinkles. HA fillers can also be used for facial contouring, especially for the lips, chin and jawline. 

Other names for fillers are injectable implants, wrinkle fillers and soft-tissue fillers. Most of the fillers are absorbable, which means that their effect lasts up to a couple of years. Some fillers are known as permanent fillers and their effects can last for a few years. 

Types of dermal fillers

• Hyaluronic acid (HA)
• Calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA)
• Poly-L-lactic acid
• Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA)
• Autologous fat injections (fat grafting)

In case you are discussing dermal fillers with your dermatologists, you need to ask them the following questions:

Am I eligible for fillers?

Fillers, unlike Botox, is an advanced treatment that requires experienced aestheticians to perform and a patient with realistic goals. It is going to make noticeable changes in your face, so you need to be doubly sure on why you are getting it done. If your concerns are related to ageing, you can discuss other options with your doctor. If your concerns are to do with structural enhancement of your face, discuss the pros and cons of the procedure vis-a-vis your lifestyle and occupation as well as your mental health and perception of the self. You are not eligible for fillers if you have a suppressed immune system or are taking anticoagulants.

What issues can fillers address?

Fillers can be used to treat nasolabial folds, thin lips, loss of volume in the cheeks, face contouring around the chin and jawline and acne scars. The type of filler to be used depends on the concern and that decision lies with the doctor. It is therefore important to consult with a dermatologist who is experienced at giving fillers. 

What are the side effects?

Facial fillers are administered with a needle or cannula. An anaesthetic cream is applied at the injection site, however, you may experience some pain and discomfort. There might be postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, bruising, swelling and irregularities in the face contour in the form of lumps or bumps. Your doctor will suggest appropriate remedies to alleviate these symptoms. In rare cases, there might be allergic reactions or damage to the blood vessel. 

What are the possible complications? There is a possibility of the filler drifting away from the site of injection or breaking into a leak. It is therefore important to work with a trained and experienced doctor so such eventualities are avoided, or if they do occur, they are taken care of by the specialist.

What prep should I do?

Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol before the treatment. Inform your doctor about any medication you are taking as you need to stop blood thinners and pain meds. Stop usage of retinol-based skincare products. Avoid exposing your skin to harsh conditions such as direct sunlight, shaving, waxing or exfoliation.

Will I look different after the treatment?

If you are opting for fillers as a means to reduce signs of ageing, you will find prominent lines on your face, such as the nasolabial fold, gone after the treatment. However, if you are using fillers to pump up the volume, you will notice certain changes in your face. The area where fillers are injected will appear fuller and healthier. In case you are not happy with the look or think there is too much filler used, you can ask your doctor to reverse the process by breaking down the filler. This, of course, will involve additional cost.

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