Gone are those days when wrinkles developed at the age of 60. Today, those fine lines and folds on your skin can occur at any time, sometimes at the age of 20 too! Blame it on stress, population, or exposure to heat; wrinkles have become an unavoidable part of our life.
However, do not let that daunt your spirits.
If the wrinkles have been disturbing you and if your self-confidence has taken a beating because of it, then do not worry. We will help you address it with the help of dermal fillers.
At Tvak, we receive several questions regarding fillers, their advantages, and their side effects.
Hence, in this blog, we are going to address some of these questions and debunk the popular myths about the fillers wherever possible.
- What causes wrinkles?
Ok time for some science class here. Our body produces collagen, which is responsible for keeping our skin elastic. As you age, the quantity of collagen production decreases and that can make your skin thin and less flexible. Loss of elasticity in your skin is one of the primary reasons for your skin to sag and wrinkles. While that is the primary cause for wrinkles, lack of sleep, smoking, dehydration, genetic factors, and the UV rays are equally responsible for the breaking of skin elasticity[i].
- How do dermal filler injections help in enhancing my lips?
Approved by Food and Drug Association (FDA), dermal fillers are implants that can be injected to give your face and lip a smooth and wrinkle-free look. Dermal filler contains collagen and hyaluronic acid such as Restylane, which are injected into the lips and around the surrounding areas to reduce the wrinkles and make it look full[ii].
- What’s the difference between Botox and dermal fillers?
Many of my patients confuse dermal fillers with Botox. While the process is done using injections, the significant difference between the two is – Botox works on dynamic wrinkles caused by facial muscular movement; while dermal fillers work on static wrinkles that are caused by exposure to sunlight and ageing. Dermal fillers help in reducing the wrinkles around the lips and upper face; while Botox reduces wrinkles around the eyes and forehead.
- I heard dermal fillers are extremely painful, is that true[iii]?
The procedure is non-surgical, so the maximum issue that you could face is a stinging sensation. Once the procedure is complete, you can apply an ice pack on the area to reduce the stinging sensation.
- I want to undergo the procedure, but I am scared that it might look artificial.
Firstly, we assure that it will not look artificial. The procedure will only reduce the wrinkles. However, if you are unhappy with the results, then the good news is it can be reversed within five minutes by injecting an eraser enzyme called hyaluronidase that dissolve the effect of hyaluronic acid[iv].
- Any specific precautions that I must take?
We recommend that you avoid exercising or getting a massage or a facial on the day when you undergo the procedure to ensure that there is no blood rush to your face. You should also avoid blood thinners as they can also increase the risk of bruising or bleeding during the process.
Conclusion
Considering that people expect a complete turnaround, we would like to reiterate that dermal fillers are NOT equivalent to lip enhancement surgeries. They will only help to make your lips look full and to reduce the wrinkles around the area. If luscious, bee-stung lips is what you seek, then you will have to discuss your expectation with your dermatologist to enable to recommend the right procedure to you.
[i] https://www.healthline.com/health/derma-fillers#causes
[ii] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/174852.php
[iii] https://health.clevelandclinic.org/7-questions-about-dermal-fillers-botox-answered/
[iv] https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/advice/a41046/lip-injection-facts/