Collagen, an essential structural protein that makes skin smooth, firm, elastic, and youthful, becomes less plentiful with age, making it harder for the skin to repair itself. For many people, these changes can have a profound effect on confidence and self-esteem. Dermal fillers can provide substantial, temporary improvement in signs of aging like mild to moderate wrinkles and facial volume loss without surgery or downtime.
Dermal fillers are injectable gel treatments that actively fill in “static” wrinkles—wrinkles caused by volume loss, or subtly add volume to the face where facial fat has disappeared. Volume loss can occur in many areas of the face, including the folds between the nose and lips (the nasolabial folds), beneath the eyes, in the temples and in the lips.
Common areas of treatment include the nasolabial folds, marionette lines (running from the corners of the lips to the chin), vertical lines around the mouth, the lips, under the eyes, the cheeks, and any other area that could benefit from additional volume.
Fillers are extremely popular, and there are many different brands and formulas available. The most common type of dermal filler is the Hyaluronic acid filler. Hyaluronic acid is a substance found naturally in the skin, which helps keep skin hydrated and supple. Popular hyaluronic acid fillers include Restylane®, Juvederm®, Voluma® and Belotero®. Recently, more specialized fillers have appeared on the market for problems like loss of volume in the cheeks or lips. While hyaluronic acid fillers are the most common type of dermal fillers, there are other formulas that produce excellent results as well.