Is face filler permanent? The answer to this question depends on a number of factors, including which type of filler was used and where it was placed on the face. The two most common types of fillers are hyaluronic acid and calcium hydroxylapatite. Hyaluronic acid is a type of sugar that occurs naturally in the body. It’s what gives skin its plumpness and elasticity. Calcium hydroxylapatite is found naturally in our bones, but it can also be used as a filler to give us more volume in certain parts of the face.
Once these fillers are placed into your skin, the body begins to absorb them over time. The exact amount of time it takes for your body to absorb these fillers depends on their concentration and location within your body. For example, if you have fillers injected into your cheeks, they will start dissolving almost immediately after injection because they are so close to the surface of your skin; if you have them injected into deeper layers such as under your chin or near your temples, they may take several weeks before they begin breaking down completely.
Read on to learn more about Is Face Filler Permanent
Is Face Filler Permanent
Calcium hydroxylapatite is found naturally in human bones and is a mineral-like compound. It’s often used to:
- Moderate-to-severe creases such as nasolabial folds, marionette lines and frown lines
- Enhance fullness of the cheeks and other facial contours
- Improve volume in areas of facial wasting such as can occur in HIV-positive people taking certain medications
Calcium hydroxylapatite is biosynthetically produced, which means that no animals or animal products are used. This lowers your risk of an allergic reaction and no skin testing is required. This type of dermal filler is known to produce a very natural result, doesn’t migrate and side effects are rare. This dermal filler was first used in dentistry and reconstructive surgery and has a long safety record.
Hyaluronic acid
Brand names include: Captique, Esthélis, Elevess, Hylaform, Juvederm, Perlane, Prevelle, Puragen, Restylane
Hyaluronic acid injections can be used to improve the skin’s contour and reduce depressions in the skin due to scars, injury or lines. You can see potentially dramatic improvements for:
- Acne scars
- Cheek depressions
- Crow’s feet at the corner of your eyes
- Deep smile lines that run from the side of the nose to corners of the mouth (also known as nasolabial furrows)
- Frown lines between the eyebrows
- Marionette lines at the corners of the mouth
- Redefining lip border
- Scars including burns, acne and those caused by wounds
- Smoker’s lines; vertical lines on the mouth
- Some facial scars
- Worry lines that run across your forehead
Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance found in your body. High concentrations are found in soft connective tissues and in the fluid surrounding your eyes. It’s also in some cartilage and joint fluids, as well as skin tissue. It is extracted and reformulated and now has become one of the most popular kinds of injectable fillers. If the term sounds familiar, it’s because the same substance is often injected into the aching joints of people with arthritis to ease pain and provide extra cushioning.
Polyalkylimide
Brand names include: Aquamid
Polyalkylimide is a semi-permanent dermal filler and is often used by plastic surgeons to:
- Treat deeper wrinkles such as nasolabial folds or depressed scars
- Plump thin lips
- Enhance cheekbones and the jawline, and to replace facial volume lost due to age
- Treat facial wasting from HIV medications
Polyalkylimide has very little reaction with human tissue, meaning it’s biocompatible, and no allergy test is required. It is radio transparent, meaning it won’t interfere with x-rays.
After the injection, a thin layer of collagen slowly forms around it over the course of about a month. The gel is eventually completely surrounded. A single procedure can inject large volume. This product, which is thought to be quite stable over time, can even be removed if necessary.
Polylactic acid
Brand names include: Sculptra
Polylactic acid is a synthetic dermal filler that is injected into your face, causing your body’s own production of collagen. This type of dermal filler is known as a stimulator. This non-toxic, biodegradable substance has been used for more than 40 years as suture material.
Polylactic acid is known to work particularly well in the lower half of your face, and is used to:
- Fill the lines caused by laughing
- Plump thin lips
- Treat deep nasolabial folds
This substance is unlike other dermal fillers because it doesn’t produce immediate results. Instead, it stimulates your own body’s collagen production, so results appear gradually over a period of a few months.
You will likely need about three monthly treatments to achieve your desired results. With each treatment, there is re-stimulation of your own collagen. Then it can take four to six weeks to see the full effect. While this type of dermal filler is considered semi-permanent, you may still need occasional touch-ups.
Polymethyl-methacrylate microspheres (PMMA)
Brand names include: Bellafill
PMMA is considered a semi-permanent filler and is most often used to treat medium-to-deep wrinkles, folds and furrows, particularly nasolabial folds. It can also be used to fill out pitted scars and to augment thin lips.
When a more permanent solution to facial wrinkles is desired, PMMA is often used instead of collagen replacement therapy or hyaluronic therapy. PMMA has been used for many years in permanent surgical implants. Because of this, your surgeon will likely under-fill on the first treatment, adding more later if needed.
One of the downsides of PMMA is that a number of injections are needed to create volume and it can take up to three months to realize the full effects. It may also be visible under the skin. To avoid any unwanted results, it’s key that your plastic surgeon is familiar with the proper technique, which involves injection at the dermal subcutaneous junction using threading or tunneling methods.
How to Relieve Pain After Eyelid Surgery
Depending on the circumstances, your doctor may prescribe pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs within the first few days after surgery.
Beware though, that not all pain medications are safe. Some drugs, such as ibuprofen and aspirin, may increase bleeding and affect recovery. Don’t take any medications without your doctor’s approval.
For every hour on the night after the procedure, you may need to apply ice packs or cold compresses on your eyes. This helps reduce pain and swelling.
Makeup products, eye serums, face creams, and other cosmetics contain chemicals that may damage the skin around your eyes; Avoid them for two weeks or so. If you wash your hair, make sure to keep water, shampoo, and soap out of your eyes.
Your doctor may also recommend antibiotic ointments and eye drops. Use them as prescribed. These medications prevent infections and ensure a smooth recovery.
Give Your Eyes a Well-Deserved Break
Your body needs time to fix damaged tissues. That’s why it’s recommended to get plenty of sleep and follow a balanced diet after the intervention.
Also, take some time off from exercising and doing house chores. Your doctor will likely recommend avoiding heavy lifting, high-impact aerobics, jogging, and other intense activities for around a week.
Stop smoking and limit your exposure in the first few weeks after surgery. Don’t drive until you’re no longer taking any narcotics and/or other pain relievers.
Refrain from using the computer, reading, and watching TV for more than a couple of minutes, as your eyes will get tired easily.
Get Rid of Sagging Eyelids and Feel Like Yourself Again
Now that you know what to do after eyelid surgery, it’s time to decide whether the procedure is right for you. Discuss your options with a qualified surgeon. Don’t be afraid to ask questions so you know what to expect before, during, and after the procedure.
Pain is part of the recovery process. If you follow the doctor’s recommendations, you should feel better within a few days.