Introduction to lifting-style dermal fillers
As we age, our faces can lose definition and contours. Lifting-style dermal fillers are a type of aesthetic treatment used to provide shape, structure and definition to areas of the face including the cheeks, chin and jawline. As with any aesthetic treatment, the decision to use dermal fillers should be made in consultation with a registered healthcare practitioner.
Why lifting-style dermal fillers?
Our facial bones provide shape and structure to our faces. As we age, the rate of bone loss increases, leading to a loss of facial definition and contours – particularly along the jawline. Meanwhile, age-associated volume loss in the mid face can lead to flat cheeks, saggy skin and ‘jowling’. Lifting-style dermal fillers can be used to compensate for these changes. These fillers can also be used in cases where an individual wishes to enhance their facial features to achieve an aesthetic goal.
Lifting-style dermal fillers may vary in texture and firmness, with different properties more appropriate to different parts of the face and different applications.
Treatment areas
Lifting-style dermal fillers are used to enhance and maintain facial shape, angles and contours. They are typically used in areas including the cheeks, chin and jawline.
The treatment
Treatment with a lifting-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 discomfort during the treatment.
Treatments with dermal fillers may last between six months to two years, depending on the number of retreatments. Results may vary depending on the treatment area, the product selected and the characteristics of the individual receiving treatment.
Patients may experience some post-treatment side effects immediately after a dermal filler treatment, 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 complications, such as blood vessel occlusion, can also occur. Before the treatment, you should discuss the possible risks and benefits with your healthcare practitioner.
Lifting-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 also check the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency website.
The science behind
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 and provide support to maintain structure and projection.
Lifting-style dermal fillers are used to enhance and maintain facial shape, angles and contours. The below gallery shows examples of how patients appeared before and after treatment with dermal fillers, including lifting-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.
Questions to ask before treatment
If your healthcare practitioner has recommended lifting-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 lifting-style dermal fillers in the Refine FAQ section.
