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Dermal Fillers are products that are injected into
the dermis (the deeper layer of the skin) to improve
the skin's appearance by filling in defects such as
creases, lines, wrinkles and scars. They are injected
directly into the skin underneath the defect to fill
it in and elevate the skin surface to make it look more
even and smoother.
Common areas treated are around the mouth, cheeks,
eyes, and brow. They are also used to redefine lips
that have lost their body or simply to enlarge them
or make them fuller.
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| What is the difference between them?
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The skin is made up of 2 main layers, the
top layer called the epidermis which contains the skin
cells, and the deeper layer called the dermis which is
much thicker and contains layers of collagen and elastin
fibres. The collagen and elastin fibres lie in a bed of
a thick gel called hyaluronic acid (or hyaluronan). Some
dermal fillers are composed of this hyaluronan, while other
injectable fillers are made up of the collagen fibres themselves.
More recently, other demal fillers made up of synthetic injectable
products, have been introduced, some of which are longer lasting or permanent.
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| What is Collagen? |
| Collagen is the natural "structural" protein
present in most organs of the body including skin, muscle,
tendon, and bone, which gives them support, resilience
and strength. The injectable version being used in dermal filling
is made from cow hides and has been processed, altered,
purified and sterilized such that allergic reactions have
been minimized (to around 3% of the general population)
and there is no risk of transmission of any infection
or disease. Because of this small risk of allergy however,
test doses are required prior to treatment. |
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| What is Hyaluronan? |
| As mentioned above, hyaluronan is the "ground"
substance or gel in which the proteins (collagen and elastin)
lie. Hyaluronan is not a protein (it is made up of long
chains of sugar molecules called polysaccharides) and
as such allergic reactions are rare and test doses are
not required. It can therefore be used in those who are
allergic to collagen. Like collagen it can be used to
correct fine or heavier lines and for lip corrections.
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| What about the newer products? |
| These have been introduced largely from Europe,
and are derived from synthetic injectable products that have been
tested and approved by our TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration)
Board as safe products for dermal filling and replacement therapy.
There are a number of these available and they differ from each other
in various ways, including what layer in the skin they are placed,
how long they last, what type of wrinkle problem or defect they are
best suited to, their mode of action, and so on.
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| Which Product is for me? |
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There are a number of variables to be considered, including
individual variations, skin types, the area and types
of lines to be treated (not all products are suited
to all areas), the volume required, the presence of
any medical or skin conditions making some products
inappropriate, and so on.
Certainly, however, we now have a greater choice and
flexibility of products than ever before to choose the
most appropriate product for each patient and to be
able to make it more cost effective.
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| Does it Hurt? |
| Patients are offered the choice of topical/local
anaesthetic to make the procedure as comfortable as possible.
Some pain or soreness may be experienced over the next
day or so, especially for "first timers", but
this settles readily with paracetamol (eg. Panadol). Often,
there is no discomfort at all afterwards. |
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| How will I look afterwards? |
| Immediately after the treatment, the area
treated may look reddened, slightly raised, perhaps some
needle puncture marks, and occasionally a bruise. These
will settle with 1-2 days, and any tiny bruise will settle
within 3-4 days. A little oil-free make-up may be used. |
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