Dermal fillers are a popular treatment for a variety of skin concerns. They can enhance your features by reducing the appearance of deep wrinkles, lines, folds and scars on the face, . Fillers can also provide lifting or added volume where required, such as your cheeks, nosebridge and lips.
There are many types of dermal fillers in Singapore today; choosing the right one for you can be a daunting task. This article will provide you with some guidelines to help you make the right decision.
Without further ado, let’s find out what dermal fillers are, how they work, and their benefits and side effects. We will also help you decide which dermal filler is most suitable for your skin type and desired results.
Dermal fillers are a type of injectable filler used to temporarily improve the appearance of wrinkles, skin folds, and other facial flaws.
They are made up of a gel-like substance injected into the skin to plump it up and make it look more youthful. The gel-like substance is usually made from hyaluronic acid, a natural substance in your body.
Dermal fillers can be used on any part of the face, but they are most commonly used on the nasolabial folds (the creases that form between your nose and mouth) and around the chin area (the corners of your mouth). Dermal fillers can also be used to lift your cheeks or nosebridges, as well as to create fuller lips.
Dermal fillers come in various forms: hyaluronic acid, collagen-stimulators, or silicon. The former two forms can last anywhere from 9 to 12 months or longer, depending on the individual and brand used. They also come in several brands and molecular weights.
The choice of which type of filler depends on the depth and area to be used, which your doctor will assess. Heavier molecular fillers are used for depressions or augmenting facial features like the nose, chin, cheeks, and more to form a v-shaped face, create a lifting effect and tightening of skin, and to reduce the appearance of wrinkles for a more youthful look.
Meanwhile, lighter molecular dermal fillers in Singapore are used for superficial problems like smoothing out the fine lines around the eyes or plumping up the lips to achieve a fuller lip look if that’s what you’re aiming for.
Dermal fillers are generally made with hyaluronic acid, but they can be made with other substances like calcium hydroxylapatite, poly-L-Lactic acid, polymethylmethacrylate, and autologous fat injections. Let’s take a look below.
Hyaluronic acid is an organic compound that occurs naturally in our bodies. It can draw and hold an incredible amount of water to keep the skin plump and hydrated. At optimum levels, HA can act as a cushioning agent that retains up to 1,000 times its weight in moisture.
HA fillers are generally soft and gel-like. When choosing HA as your dermal filler, you should know that the results are temporary, lasting 6 to 12 months or longer before your body gradually and naturally absorbs the particles. Most HA fillers are infused with lidocaine to minimise discomfort during and after treatment. HA fillers may also be dissolved if required. Due to its natural and reversible properties, it is currently the most popular type of filler on the market.
Some popular HA filler brands include Restylane, Juvederm and Belotero.
Like HA, calcium hydroxylapatite is a naturally occurring substance in our body, especially the bones. When used as a dermal filler, the calcium particles are microscopic and suspended in a smooth gel.
The consistency of a calcium hydroxylapatite filler is also thicker than HA fillers and typically lasts longer, about 12 months for most patients. Plus, calcium hydroxylapatite stimulates collagen production, allowing it to be used for deeper lines and wrinkles. One needs to note that that calcium hydroxylapatite is biodegradable but cannot be dissolved.
Poly-L-lactic acid is a synthetic, biocompatible, and biodegradable ingredient often used in medical devices such as absorbable sutures. When used as a dermal filler, it works to restore volume by stimulating collagen production, with results lasting up to 2 years.
This dermal filler will dissipate a few days after the treatment, meaning you can resume your daily activities with minimal downtime. It is typically used to treat deep facial wrinkles. There is a small risk of lumpiness with PLLA fillers. The filler also cannot be dissolved in the event that rectification is required.
Polymethylmethacrylate is a synthetic, biocompatible substance that has been used in medicine. When used as a dermal filler, polymethylmethacrylate takes the form of a tiny ball that remains beneath the skin indefinitely to provide continued support.
Polymethylmethacrylate fillers may also contain collagen, a naturally occurring substance in the skin that provides structure and firmness to the skin. Similar to PLLA, PMMA fillers cannot be dissolved and it needs to be removed in entirety if rectification is required.
Unlike the types mentioned above of dermal fillers, autologous fat injections are the only injectable filler treatment requiring surgery with results lasting for many years. This is because it uses your own fat as the filler.
The fat is then purified and injected into the skin to restore volume to the cheeks, temples, lower eyelids, or other areas. This filler treatment requires specialised training and should only be performed by an experienced doctor.
Choosing which dermal filler in Singapore can be daunting because of the sheer number of options available.
When it comes to choosing the best dermal filler, there are many factors that you need to consider, like the price, what type of facial improvement you want, and how profound or severe the issue is.
For instance, the most popular dermal fillers in Singapore are hyaluronic acid (HA) and collagen-stimulators. Hyaluronic acid tend to be less expensive and has less side effectsthan collagen-stimulators, but may not last as long as the latter. Meanwhile, collagen-stimulators tend to be more expensive than hyaluronic acid, but it lasts longer than HA. Collagen stimulators may also have side effects such as lumpiness and cannot be dissolved, hence it is more difficult to rectify when required.
As for the type of facial improvement you want, you should consider this with utmost importance because there are only a handful of improvements that dermal fillers can do. This includes reducing the appearance of wrinkles, augmenting your nose bridge, and sharpening your jawline.
If you are still having a difficult time deciding on the suitable dermal filler in Singapore, you should consult a qualified medical professional to provide you with the proper guidance and safe treatment More importantly, an experienced doctor will have better aesthetic sense to ascertain suitable enhancements to achieve the ideal face ratio and to execute the fillers accurately for the desired effect. Here at SL Aesthetic Clinic, we’re happy to provide said guidance and address any further questions or concerns you may have so contact us today for more information.
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