Dermal Fillers: The Fact and The Fiction

Dermal fillers were conceived, and swiftly became popular, in the late 19th century. This fact will surprise most people because it is often thought that cosmetic treatments, especially those such as fillers, did not come into regular use until the very end of the 20th century. Dermal fillers were devised by an Austrian surgeon by the name of Robert Gersuny. He used mineral oil and paraffin as a soft tissue filler to improve upon facial defects. The treatment gained tremendous popularity for the upper-classes until the mid-1920s, when it fell out of use before it began to be widely used again over the last two or three decades at alarmingly rapid rates. Dermal filler treatment officially became the second most popular non-surgical cosmetic procedure in 2015, when the use of soft tissue fillers increased by 6%. Being a popular treatment, there are bound to be myths circulating about fillers that ought to be addressed. Clearing the air, we can substitute fiction for fact and prepare you to enter the voluminous world of fillers.

Myths About Fillers

• Myth #1 - Botox and fillers are the same thing.

Contrary to popular belief, Botox is not a filler. Botox causes the muscles to relax so the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles decreases whereas dermal fillers actually add volume to your face to fill out those extra folds of skin. Though both Botox and dermal fillers serve similar purposes, the treatments reach the desired results through distinct physical alterations.

• Myth #2 – Everyone will notice I’ve gotten fillers.

This is a fear for many individuals because they have witnessed how the media torments celebrities and other public figures based on their personal choices about cosmetic procedures. It is utterly unfair how public opinion shames women (and men) over their private decision to pursue cosmetic treatments. Although you may be worried that you will look drastically different or fake after receiving dermal fillers; however, there could be nothing further from the truth. Dermal fillers, when administered by a certified and experienced professional, provide natural-looking results that still deliver the plumping you desire.

• Myth #3 – Fillers are extremely painful.

We understand many people have a particularly acute fear of needles, but there is nothing to be afraid of when it comes to fillers.  Most providers apply topical anesthetic before the treatment which helps to minimize significantly any discomfort.  Many fillers are mixed with lidocaine to ease any discomfort that the initial injection might cause.  Furthermore, you can opt to utilize a local anesthetic or a nerve block if you wish. Patients typically say that the pain of dermal fillers only falls at a 2.5 on the 1 to 10-point pain scale (with 10 being the highest of pain).

• Myth #4 – You can’t undo a cosmetic treatment.

This might be the case in many other cosmetic treatments but dermal fillers have a lot more flexibility. If you decide to use the naturally-derived hyaluronic acid as your dermal filler, then this can be reversed almost instantaneously. By injecting hyaluronidase, any mistake can be automatically reversed because it breaks down the hyaluronic acid under your skin quickly. Most dermal fillers are temporary, lasting sometimes as little as three months, so you are not making a lifelong commitment by trying them out.

Fascinating Facts on Fillers

• Men’s use of fillers rose 6% in 2015, proving that cosmetic surgery is rising rapidly amongst the male species.
• Fillers can stimulate collagen growth so over time so you may require less injections later on than when you first started.
• The effects of most fillers are temporary, some of them being reabsorbed into the body after three months. If you seek a more permanent solution, there are a few types of fillers that can last several years – these are in our long-lasting dermal filler category selection.
• It need not only be used for facial rejuvenation. It can be used to smooth wrinkles and hide veins in the hands. Many practitioners even suggest fillers to support droopy earlobes.
• Side effects and complications are extremely rare with dermal fillers.
• It would take quite a lot to over-do it when you are working with a qualified professional; you won’t get anywhere near looking overdone unless you opt for too many syringes of fillers all in one session.
• A common (but flexible) rule for fillers is one syringe per decade. Get three syringes at thirty years old, four at forty years old, and so on and so forth when you have a treatment session per year.  The syringes can be spread across various areas (including off-label ones) such as lips, smile lines (nasolabial folds), cheek depressions (cheek hollows and malar volume loss), jowls (marionette lines), and temples (for hollowing).  

More interested in pursuing dermal fillers now? We thought perhaps so! ZendyHealth can sweeten the pot further by making them more affordable than ever. With our unique pick your price platform, you can save up to 50 % on facial or lip dermal fillers. A refreshed face and plumper lips on a budget? Yes, please!