A filler? You should know this before you start
With a filler you can give more contour and volume to your face and lips. It is not the same as Botox, although they are both injected into the skin with a hypodermic needle. A filler fills in the wrinkles and gives volume to your face, while Botox paralyzes the muscle into which it is injected. As a result, the muscle can no longer contract and wrinkles will be less visible. After applying a filler you can immediately see that the wrinkle has been filled and has gained volume. The effect of Botox takes a while: after about a week you will notice that you can no longer use the injected muscle(s) and your skin will therefore remain smoother.
What is a filler?
The injections of a filler are placed under the skin’s surface to fill in lines and wrinkles. The most commonly used fillers consist of hyaluronic acid, a substance that also occurs naturally in the human body and that you often encounter in skin care products. This type of fillers has been available for many years and has long been used in medical treatments. Hyaluronic acid fillers are therefore considered very safe. Well-known and popular filler brands are Juvéderm and Restylane.
Different ‘thicknesses’
The well-known hyaluronic acid-based filler brands also have different ‘thicknesses’ (the thicker, the larger the hyaluronic acid particles are), depending on what they are used for. For example, a different filler thickness is used for giving volume to cheeks than for filling lips. For example, Restylane has different hyaluronic acid fillers that can be used in various locations on the face and used for other reasons. For example, a thicker filler has the ‘weight’ to build cheekbones, while a thinner filler works better at filling in fine lines and shaping the lips.
What can a filler do for you?
With a filler you can – temporarily – restore lost volume, smooth out wrinkles and improve the contours of your face. A big advantage is that if the doctor or surgeon applies it correctly, it will look natural. With a filler you can make signs of aging, such as sagging cheeks due to fat and volume loss, less visible. The result is also immediately visible. At first you will have the impression that the treated area has gained too much volume, but as soon as the swelling (due to attracted moisture) decreases, the result will look more natural. For example, a filler can be used for sunken cheeks, thin lips, crow’s feet, scars, frown lines and a slack jawline. Fillers can also be used, for example, to fill the back of the hands when they are extremely wrinkled.
How long does a filler last?
A filler usually lasts between 12 and 18 months, a lot longer than Botox. It does depend on the type of filler and the location where it was injected. The more the location is in motion, the faster the filler is broken down by the body. The price tag is also a lot higher than with Botox: you pay an average of € 400 for a milliliter. Are you not satisfied with the result? The doctor, dermatologist or surgeon can inject an enzyme-based substance that quickly dissolves the filler.
No downtime
Typically, there is no downtime with injectable fillers. Most doctors and surgeons recommend limiting sports, sauna, sunbathing and drinking alcohol for 48 hours. You can usually resume your normal schedule right away. There will be some swelling and pain (and sometimes some bruising) around the injection site, but this will subside within a few days.
It should only be done by a cosmetic doctor, dermatologist or plastic surgeon
Always opt for an experienced and certified doctor, dermatologist or plastic surgeon who has a BIG registration and works from a reputable clinic, for example. Injecting a filler is a medical and invasive procedure that should really only be done by a doctor. There is always the risk of infection, discoloration and lumps when done incorrectly. The most common side effects are bruising, redness, pain and swelling, but this will subside within a few days. If this is not the case, you should contact the treating physician.
For fuller lips
You can also give volume to your lips with a filler. A lip filler consists of hyaluronic acid and has a temporary effect; you have to repeat it again after 12 to 18 months. That does depend on your age and how quickly your body breaks down calories into energy (your metabolism). If you are young, your metabolism is higher and fillers will be broken down faster by your body. A lip filler will not last as long. Well-known filler brands that fill the lips are Juvéderm, Restylane and Perlane. They don’t stop the aging process, but they can slow it down and make lines and wrinkles around your mouth a lot less visible. Fillers can also increase the volume of the lips themselves.
Filler in a jar
Is a filler not your cup of tea? Although the effect cannot be compared to an injected filler, there are skin care products that can temporarily fill lines and wrinkles. For example with hyaluronic acid that you also encounter in the injected fillers: