Introduction to filling-style dermal fillers
As we age, our skin undergoes changes. Filling-style dermal fillers are a type of aesthetic treatment used to reduce lines and wrinkles, such as nasolabial folds (the lines running between the nose and mouth, also known as ‘laugh lines’) and marionette lines (lines at the corners of the mouth). As with any aesthetic treatment, the decision to use dermal fillers should be made in consultation with a registered healthcare practitioner.
Why filling-style dermal fillers
Over time, our skin becomes thinner and less elastic, and its ability to retain water is reduced. The result is the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Treatments with filling-style dermal fillers can be used to reduce facial lines and wrinkles.
Filling-style dermal fillers may vary in their texture and firmness, with different properties more appropriate to different parts of the face and the severity of the lines or wrinkles.
Treatment areas
Filling-style dermal fillers are used to reduce lines and wrinkles and provide a refined look. Areas that can be treated include fine lines around the mouth and eyes, and the lines from the nose to the corner of the mouth.
The treatment
Treatment with a filling-style dermal filler typically takes 15-45 minutes, depending on the area being treated. In some cases, a touch-up treatment about two weeks after the initial treatment may be recommended to optimize results. Some dermal fillers contain a local anaesthetic that can reduce the discomfort during treatment.
Immediately after a dermal filler treatment, patients may experience some post-treatment side effects, including redness, swelling, pain, bruising or tenderness at the treatment site. These side effects usually disappear within one week after injection. Though fillers are minimally invasive, they still carry some risks. Serious side effects, such as blood vessel occlusion, can occur. Before the treatment, you should discuss the possible risks and benefits with your healthcare practitioner.
Filling-style dermal fillers are prescription-only medicines which under Australian law must be administered by registered health practitioners. If you are unsure whether a particular practitioner is registered in Australia, you can check the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency website.
Filling-style dermal fillers may last between 9 and 18 months depending on the number of retreatments. Results may vary depending on the treatment area, the product selected and the characteristics of the individual.
The science behind dermal fillers
Our bodies naturally contain substances that keep our skin tissue soft, hydrated and flexible. One of these is a sugar molecule (a type of ‘glycosaminoglycan’) which has a high ability to bind water. Levels of this molecule in the skin tend to decrease as we age, leading to dry and thinner skin.
Some dermal fillers contain this glycosaminoglycan. When placed in the deeper layers of the skin, these sugar molecules keep body tissues hydrated, creating fuller skin that allows for a reduction in facial lines and wrinkles.
Filling-style dermal fillers are used to reduce fine facial lines and wrinkles. The below gallery shows examples of how patients appeared before and after treatment with dermal fillers, including filling-style dermal fillers.
Before & After
- Anti-wrinkle treatments: frown lines and crow's feet;
- Dermal fillers: under eyes, cheeks, smile lines and lips.
- Individual results may vary.
- Anti-wrinkle treatments: frown and smile lines;
- Dermal fillers: cheeks and smile lines.
- Individual results may vary.
- Dermal fillers: cheeks, smile lines and jawline.
- Individual results may vary.
- Anti-wrinkle treatments: frown and smile lines;
- Dermal fillers: cheeks, smile lines and lips.
- Individual results may vary.
- Dermal fillers: under eyes.
- Individual results may vary.
- Dermal fillers: cheeks and lips.
- Individual results may vary.
- Dermal fillers: cheeks, nose, chin and lips
- Individual results may vary.
- Dermal fillers: forehead, cheekbones, cheeks, nose, lips and chin.
- Individual results may vary.
- Dermal fillers: cheekbones, nose, cheeks and smile lines
- Individual results may vary.
- Dermal fillers: cheeks, lips and chin.
- Individual results may vary.
- Dermal fillers: cheeks, smile lines and lips;
- Skin hydration boosters: cheeks
- Individual results may vary.
- Anti-wrinkle treatments: frown lines;
- Dermal fillers: under eyes, cheekbones, cheeks and smile lines.
- Individual results may vary.
- Anti-wrinkle treatments: frown lines and crow's feet;
- Dermal fillers: cheeks, smile lines, lips and chin.
- Individual results may vary.
- Anti-wrinkle treatments: frown lines and crow's feet;
- Dermal fillers: cheeks, smile lines, lips and chin.
- Individual results may vary.
- Anti-wrinkle treatments: frown lines and crow’s feet;
- Dermal fillers: cheeks and smile lines.
- Individual results may vary.
Reduce lines and wrinkles
May be used to improve laugh and marionette lines
Contain a sugar molecule that keeps skin hydrated
Questions to ask before treatment
If your healthcare practitioner has recommended filling-style dermal fillers, be sure to carefully read through any material they provide you. Here are some examples of questions that you could ask a healthcare practitioner:
• Are you registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency?
• How much experience have you had with dermal fillers?
• Do you use a dermal filler that is approved for use in Australia?
• What results can I expect from the treatment?
• What happens during the treatment?
• Could my medical history, medications or previous treatments affect or prevent treatment?
• Are there any side effects and precautions that I should know about?
• Is there anything I should do before and after treatment?
• Any other questions you may have.
You will also find detailed information about filling-style dermal fillers in the Dermal Filler FAQ section.