The concentration of hyaluronic acid that is naturally available on and under the skin is reduced due to reasons such as ageing, negative effects of the sun, daily stresses and smoking. Collagen and elastic fibers are deformed. This situation causes the skin to lose its elasticity, volume and to become unable to remain taut.
Dermal filling is performed using hyaluronic acid or Ca hydroxyapatite derivatives that are in gel form (containing no materials of animal origin) and synthetically developed to fill in the pits and grooves on the contours of the face as well as the lines and wrinkles on the face so that they disappear or become less prominent. The fact that they are not of animal origin is intended to reduce the risk for allergy and prevent potential contagious diseases.
What are the ages suitable for dermal filling?
The injection of filling material is included in minimally invasive esthetic procedures. Although the administrations purported to eliminate wrinkles are generally performed as of 30s, the administrations intended to remove contour defects can be performed as of mid-20s.
What are the areas of application for this treatment?
Filling material can be administered to lips to ensure a fuller look, several sites of the face in order to treat thin lines and deep wrinkles, the upper side of the neck and chest wall to reduce neck wrinkles and eliminate decollete lines as well as to hands to remove wrinkles on the back of the hand and ensure that they look younger. The sites that extend from each side of the nose to the lip lines are called the “nasolabial folds”. This is the site which is subjected to quickest collapse and wrinkling due to the sagging on the facial skin. Therefore, filling materials are most frequently administered to the nasolabial folds.
Are there any side effects involved?
Hyaluronic acid derivatives do not contain any substances of animal origin, they are naturally available in the body and they ensure fullness by absorbing abut 100 times more water than their weight. Since this product can be decomposed, it leaves the body over time, not leading to any side effects or harmful effects on the human health. Similarly, the filling materials that contain Calcium Hydroxyapatite as their main ingredient are not harmful to health when they are injected to the suitable locations of the body at an appropriate depth; they ensure a longer period of fullness effect.
What are the procedural steps?
Filling materials are commercially available inside fine-needle injectors. They are directly injected with their own injectors into the folds, wrinkles or lines, thereby aiding in overcoming the loss of volume that occurred and the lines that appeared. The procedure takes about 20-30 minutes. Any pain due to the needle may be reduced by numbing the skin by applying cream on it 30-40 minutes before the procedure. Furthermore, it is possible to numb the nose-lip lines especially on the upper lip and the site called “nasolabial folds” using local anesthetic needles inserted through the mouth.
What can be observed following the administration.
There may be slight redness and bruising after the administration. These can be concealed with make-up. They would not affect daily life.
People who consider having filling material injections should never take aspirin and similar medicines. If they are taking them, they should stop taking aspirin one week in advance and do not take it for a few days after the administration. The reason is that aspiring has a blood-thinning effect, which may cause and increase bruising in the administration sites.
The filling materials of animal origin and containing silicon may have longer-lasting results. However, these substances may lead to allergy, cyst and granuloma (hard cyst), thereby corrupting the natural look. For that reason, one should be cautious when making a decision.
How long does the filling last?
Although it depends on the administration site, Hyaluronic acid derivatives can remain effective for about 8 to 12 months. As for Calcium hydroxyapatite and its derivatives, they may maintain their effect in the administration site for up to 18 months; however, they can be applied only in specific sites.
If plenty of water is drunk for the first 2 days, fillings that contain hyaluronic acid show their effect better by absorbing water.