Aging is a natural process that all women and men who live to a ripe mature age will experience. Even though aging is also associated with wisdom and experience, it is not easy to convince oneself that the wrinkles and sagging skin are actually a wonderful sign of the wisdom acquired through life experience. In the past the only treatment option for aging skin and body involved invasive surgery that often results in an extreme change of facial expression and proportions and requires substantial recovery time.
The aesthetic industry has evolved in the past years offering many viable alternatives to the knife. Dermal fillers have become a common treatment for aging skin, and wrinkles. Contrary to face lift results which induce tight, flattened pulled skin, derma fillers, when injected correctly, will result in a natural fuller look (When done poorly the outcome can include lumps and granules or even out of proportion facial contour).
Derma fillers are minimally invasive treatments and most can be performed during a lunch break with minimal recovery time. Common side effects include bruising, swelling, pain and at times, allergic reaction. Results are temporary, lasting 6-18 months, depends on the filler and the individual being treated.
It is very important to carefully select the treating physician, a good question to ask a physician would be how many times he has performed a certain procedure with a certain dermal filler, make sure he is very familiar with it (Not sure what to suggest as an acceptance number in the answer to this question. I personally would probably feel better with an answer of above 50 times).
There are different types of dermal fillers out there, some are synthetic some natural.
Early dermal fillers were of synthetic origin (silicon) or natural source (bovine- cow) collagen and fat.
Bovine (cow) collagen was the first approved dermal filler in the United States in the early 1980’s. The leading brand of bovine collagen were Zyderm ® and Zyplast.
It was considered the gold standard and all other dermal implants were measured compared to its effectiveness. Results can last 3-18 months, although many recipients report that a repeat treatment is usually required at 3-5 months.
Human collagen was introduced to the aesthetic market in the late 1990. The leading brand was Cosmoderm and Cosmoplast (manufactured by the same company). Cosmoderm is used for treatment of superficial wrinkles, Cosmoplast for deeper wrinkles.
Natural hyaluronic acid is a very popular derma filler due to the low allergy rate and the good results it provides (Restylane, Perlane, Juvederm and Prevelle Silk). Hyaluronic acid is a naturally accruing component in the skin and composes a large percentage of the extracellular matrix. Hyaluronic acid in the epithel is linked with collagen production and increased skin hydration, enabling fuller smoother looking skin. In 2003 the FDA approved the use of hyaluronic acid (Restylane) as derma filler for the temporary treatment of wrinkles.
There are quite a few available dermal filler brands available, listed below are a few popular brands with explanations about their way of action, and advantages.
Restylane – Produced in Sweden, the first hyaluronic acid filler made of non animal source. It is used around the eyes, lips and nasolabial area (folds around the nose and mouth). It is claimed to last 6 months but there are reported incidents extended durations of the treatment effect (up to18 months).
Perlane – Manufactured by same company that produces Restylane in Sweden. Consists of hyaluronic acid but larger molecules than Restylane, therefore is more suitable for deeper wrinkles. It also seems to have a longer efficacy period even though the FDA has approved it as a dermal filler for 6 months.
Radiesse – Contains calcium hydroxylapatite which are small calcium spheres in a gel base. The injection of the filler actually serves to “plump” the injected area and also induce generation of new collagen that is layered on the sphere structures. The allergy rate to this filler is very low and the manufacture claims that the small calcium spheres and the gel will actually disintegrate but the newly generated collagen will be significant enough to sustain the treatment effects. Radiesse is also suitable for treatment of HIV patients suffering from facial lipoatrophy (diminishing of facial fat), a condition induced by HIV treatment drugs.
Evolence – Made of Porcine collagen (pork) which is very similar to human collagen therefore it is a good dermal filler as allergy rate to it are very low, in addition the side effects are minor.
Prevelle silk – Hyaluronic acid combined with Lidocane (a local anasthsia agent). Combining the filler with lidocane enables treatment of sensitive areas (like the lips) with very little discomfort.
Juvederm – Hyaluronic acid filler manufactured by allergen (same company that produces Botox). It is especially suitable for larger filler “jobs” and correction of irregularities and deep wrinkles.
Some customers prefer combination of various treatments for targeting the aging skin and body. If you are looking into combining dermal fillers with other skin tightening methods make sure to enable about a month or even longer (follow the manufacture’s specific instructions) to enable the filler to complete its course of action before indulging in other anti ageing treatments.
Tags: aging, aging skin, alternative, anti-aging, anti-wrinkle, antiaging, botox, collagen, deep wrinkles, derma fillers, dermal fillers, Epidermis, extreme, extreme change, face lift, free radicals, invasive, natural, natural look, natural process, painless, proportion, proportions, recovery time, side effects, skin, skin rejuvenation, skin tightening, superficial wrinkles, wrinkle, wrinkles, Wrinkles on the face
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