Dermal Fillers
What are dermal fillers?
Dermal fillers are also commonly known as soft tissue fillers. They comprise a range of substances which may be injected into the skin to volumize certain areas and reduce wrinkles, resulting in a rejuvenated and enhanced appearance.
Some of the signs of ageing include bony changes, loss of soft tissue fullness with redistribution of facial fats, and loss of tissue elasticity. Dermal fillers injection can address these signs of ageing, replenishing the loss of volume, and providing the necessary support where required.
It can be done either on itself or combined with other Aesthetic treatments such as non surgical face lift to achieve even better, natural looking results.
Are dermal fillers safe?
Dermal filler injections are a relatively safe procedure, with minimal unwanted adverse effects when performed properly. The most common unwanted side effects would include minor pain, bleeding, bruising and swelling. These would usually subside in a matter of days, and leave no long lasting repercussions.
However, that is not to say that there aren’t any potential serious adverse effects from getting a dermal filler injection. The worst possible outcome is blindness and tissue necrosis (death of skin tissue), and thankfully these are extremely rare.
Equally distressing complications that may occur due to poor injection technique include lumpiness after injection, and something known as Tyndall effect (photo below). Tyndall effect is a bluish discolouration of the skin due to inappropriate placement of the hyaluronic acid dermal filler superficially.
All these complications can generally be avoided by a knowledgeable and experienced injector. The detailed knowledge of facial anatomy, with proven injection techniques, as well as the know-how of dealing with the complications should they occur is invaluable.
Will it look unnatural?
As with anything else, too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. At Dr Bob Clinic, we believe that dermal fillers are very much like seasoning for food. Just the perfect amount of seasoning would elevate a dish, but too much seasoning would completely destroy the dish.
Although dermal fillers can produce instantaneous and excellent results for facial rejuvenation, injudicious use can result in an unnatural and deformed appearance.
Facial Overfilled Syndrome and Pillow Face refers to the unfortunate phenomenon where individuals have undergone dermal fillers with exaggerated results. This distorts the natural facial anatomy and produces monstrous results.
It is so common nowadays to see people with this kind of dermal filler disaster. It is both the fault of the doctor as well as the patient that they do not practise restraint when getting aesthetic procedures done.
Neauvia 2nd Generation Hyaluronic acid dermal fillers
As with anything else, too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. At Dr Bob Clinic, we believe that dermal fillers are very much like seasoning for food. Just the perfect amount of seasoning would elevate a dish, but too much seasoning would completely destroy the dish.
Although dermal fillers can produce instantaneous and excellent results for facial rejuvenation, injudicious use can result in an unnatural and deformed appearance.
Facial Overfilled Syndrome and Pillow Face refers to the unfortunate phenomenon where individuals have undergone dermal fillers with exaggerated results. This distorts the natural facial anatomy and produces monstrous results.
It is so common nowadays to see people with this kind of dermal filler disaster. It is both the fault of the doctor as well as the patient that they do not practise restraint when getting aesthetic procedures done.
Biostimulators: Ellanse, Radiesse, Sculptra, Karisma
Ellanse (Polycaprolactone), Radiesse (Calcium Hydroxyapatite), Sculptra (Poly-L-Lactic acid) and Karisma (Rh collagen) are what is known as biostimulator fillers, which means when they are injected under the skin, the substance would induce our tissues to generate collagen.
Unfortunately, many doctors hesitate using Radiesse, Ellanse, Sculptra and Karisma due to the reason that it is non-dissolvable, and usually requires more advanced techniques of injection.
However, in the right hands, biostimulators can produce superb results that are unmatched by hyaluronic acid injections.
Which is the best dermal filler?
Depending on your condition, your treating physician might choose different types of dermal fillers for your face, and might even recommend a combination treatment with other modalities, such as non surgical face lift.
Across the Hyaluronic acid dermal fillers, the concentration and degree of cross-linking as well as the technology used to cross-link would affect the characteristic of the filler. Different brands employ different cross-linking technologies for their products, hence comparing one brand to another is comparing apples to oranges.
The most important thing is that your doctor knows in detail about the hyaluronic acid product that they are using, to be able to deliver best results.
Radiesse and Ellanse are versatile dermal fillers that can be used in a global approach. Injection of biostimulators produces immediate results that can last up to 48 months.
The initial volumising effect with biostimulators is actually contributed by the carboxymethylcellulose gel carrier. The biostimulator particles would subsequently interact with our tissues to induce the production of long lasting collagen production.
Very much like non surgical face lift procedure, these kinds of dermal fillers not only volumises our face, but the collagen stimulating effect also produces outstanding skin tightening results to address fines lines, wrinkles, and loose sagging skin.
It is important to discuss with your treating Aesthetic Doctor about your concerns, and the best product as well as the injection methods employed to address such concerns. An experienced Aesthetic Doctor would take into consideration your concerns and suggest a treatment most suited to your condition.
Hyaluronic Acid VS Biostimulators
| Hyaluronic Acid | Ellanse | Radiesse | Sculptra | Karisma | |
| Composition | Hyaluronic Acid | Polycaprolactone | Calcium Hydroxyapatite | Poly-L Lactic Acid | Rh collagen |
| Immediate results | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Longevity | 6-18 months | 12-48 months | 18 months | 24 months | 6-12 months |
| Dissolvable | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Collagen stimulation | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Volume maintenance | Gradual degradation | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Migration | Yes | No | No | No | No |