What is a filler? (Under Eye, Lip, Chin)
As we get on in years, there occurs a decrease in fatty tissue under the skin and in the substances such as hyaluronic acid, collagen and elastin, which are critical building blocks of the skin. Wrinkles and sagging, the signs of aging, appear on the skin. Fillers are temporary, semi-permanent or permanent substances that are injected under the skin to relieve these wrinkles and sagging, to smooth scars on the skin, augment volume or shape to the tissue.
What can be done with fillers?
With fillers, the lips, nose, earlobes, cheekbones and chin are shaped. Lifting effect on eyebrows and face is provided. The skin is hydrated. Areas that are depressed and collapsed in the face and hands with age, are filled. Dark circles under the eyes can be minimized to reveal more radiant look. By means of many options in the filler types, it is possible to reshape a face and provide the person with finer facial contours.
As the filling substances diversified and the options increased, the success rate in the results substantially increased as well. Now there are ideal filling substances suitable for each area. In other words, different filling substances are used for the lips, under the eyes, and for the chin and the nose.
The fillers used are divided into three groups
- Non-permanent
- Semi-permanent
- Permanent filling substances
In our clinic, we usually prefer non-permanent fillings with a permanence of 8 to 12 months.
Which areas can be treated with filler injection?
- Lip filling and lip contouring
- Wrinkles around the lips
- Correcting the jaw line
- Eliminating sagging on the face and creating lifting effect
- Defining cheekbones
- Smoothing nasolabial folds that extend from the edge of the nose to the corners of the mouth
- Sagging lines descending from the corners of the lips to the chin
- Shaping the eyebrows
- Shaping the nose
- Deep lines between eyebrows
- Reducing acne and scars
Filling in wrinkles with fillers
One of the most common wrinkle elimination methods all over the world is filling in wrinkles by injecting hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid can be applied to all types of wrinkles, from very fine wrinkles just under the eyes to the deepest ones on the nose and on the edges of the lips. However, the type of acid applied varies slightly depending on the area, especially in terms of intensity.
The filler is injected into the area to be relieved with a fine needle. The gel fills the underneath of the wrinkles and the pits and smooths them. Considering the sagging on the face, it removes sagging by volume augmentation on the face. Furthermore, as hyaluronic acid and calcium hydroxy apatite increase collagen level in the skin, the applied area looks even better then the earlier form, after the filler dissolves.
What are the types of fillers?
Fillers with Hyaluronic Acid
The mostly used fillers in medical aesthetics are the ones containing hyaluronic acid. Since hyaluronic acid is a naturally generating substance that is already found in your skin, it is very unlikely to cause allergies.
Fillers containing Polycaprolactone
Polycaprolactone (PCL) is a tissue-compatible substance that is a filler derivative that has injectable long-term durability and ‘Controlled bioresorbability’ in the carrier gel. After the application, the carrier gel is absorbed within a few weeks. PCL, on the other hand, stimulates new collagen production by directly affecting the area with wrinkles or loss of volume. The fillers in PCL structure offer the possibility of permanence for 2 to 4 years. In addition to its effect in correcting medium and deep wrinkles and facial expressions, it is a filler that is used safely in facial shaping and rejuvenation of hands.
Fillers containing calcium hydroxylapatite
It is a longer lasting (18-24 months) filler compared to hyaluronic acid. It stimulates the production of natural collagen tissues on the skin. It is particularly used for smoothing deep lines, shaping facial areas such as chin and cheekbones and rejuvenation of the hand.
Who can benefit from filler applications?
People who complain about wrinkles, sagging or collapsing on their faces, those who would like to make their thin lips a little more prominent or correct the asymmetry on their lips, who want to make their chin tips longer and more prominent or who are uncomfortable with the humps on their noses are among the patients most benefited from this application. In addition, with the type of hyaluronic acid applied to the entire face, cleavage and hands, rejuvenation, firmness and vitality can be achieved by stimulating the collagen production.
Are there any risks or side effects of the applications carried out with fillers?
Whereas you can do so much with fillers, it is inevitable to encounter many good and bad instances. Filler application must be performed by an experienced physician. Make sure that the person, who will carry out the application on you in the centers where you visit for the filler application, is a physician. Because merely the people with medical education can know your facial anatomy well and can perform a risk-free application. In addition to the right selection of the patient, it is very important to know which filler substance should or should not be used where, and the depth of injection with the appropriate technique.
Even if redness, swelling, pain, bruising or tenderness occur at the filled zone within the day following the filler application, these are expected to cease in 48 to 72 hours. FDA approved products do not have any allergy risks.
How is the filler applied?
Hyaluronic acid, selected according to the type of application area, is injected into the zone to be filled by means of a fine injector or cannula. The process does not cause a pain that bothers the patient. However, a mild anesthetic cream can be used for very sensitive areas such as the upper lip. The process takes about 10-15 minutes. The patient can see the results immediately after the process. The results last for 8 to 12 months. For some new fillers, this period can be extended up to 24 months.
Who cannot have filler application?
Filler application is not applied to pregnant women, women who breastfeed their babies, those who have infections and inflammations on their skin, and those who are known to be sensitive to fillers. The process is delayed for patients with active infections until the infection is thoroughly eliminated.
Things to consider before the filler application
Those who take blood thinners and painkillers such as aspirin and those who consume green tea, gingko, krill oil, fish oil, garlic, ginseng, echinacea, vitamin E or vitamin C have a higher risk of bruising than others.
If possible, it is recommended to stop the intake of them a week before the treatment.
Things to consider after the filler application
It is necessary to avoid excessive heat (sunbathing, solarium), hot shower, heavy workout for several days following the application. While sleeping, patient should try not to sleep in the face down position.