Injectable Dermal Fillers

Introduction

As we age, our faces begin to show the effects of gravity, sun exposure and years of facial muscle movement, such as smiling, chewing and squinting. The underlying tissues, especially collagen, which is the main ingredient that keeps our skin looking youthful and plumped up , gradually disappears and the dermis loses moisture.

While Botulinum toxin A ( Botox) is the treatment of choice for dynamic wrinkles of the upper face, dermal fillers add volume that time has taken away. This process, known as soft tissue augmentation uses injectable filler materials to treat fine to deep wrinkles, nasolabial folds, smile lines, oral commissures and scars. Lips can be augmented and the face contoured.

Types of Injectable Dermal Fillers

Fillers can be mainly classified into permanent or temporary ; Animal-based or non-animal based.

Non-permanent fillers comprising hyaluronic acid of non-animal origin are most widely used now for various reasons including:

1. Hyaluronic acid is a natural component of human skin. They form chains that are hydrated ( "holds water" ) conferring elasticity and viscosity which is lost with aging.

2. The temporary nature allows patient to decide what they like or dislike (over time)

3. Side effects are usually mild and transient

4. Non-animal origin avoids transmission of animal diseases and is acceptable to all cultural-religious groups

Common non-animal based hyaluronic acid dermal fillers include: Restylane/Perlane; Matridex etc.

Fillers are often used in conjunction with Botulinum toxin and other rejuvenation modalities.

The effects sometimes last for more than a year. Touch-up and follow-up treatments are convenient and need only be at 6-8 months intervals.

For more information on the specific products : www.restylane.com
www.matridex.com

Some before and after photographs of representative cases:

Nasolabial fold (before and after)

Glabellar frown lines ( before and after)