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How do Dermal Fillers work?

Cosmetic surgery is a way to achieve a youthful appearance. It is particularly helpful in erasing marks of aging associated with skin changes,Dermal Fillers ranging from wrinkles to the loss of subcutaneous fat and dermal collagen with Dermal Fillers.

While the most well-known method of tightening the face around the skin is through a surgical face lift, a less well-known, but equally effective, method is dermal filling.

Although dermal filling may sound like a revolutionary new trend in aesthetic medicine it has been around for over a century. In the 1890s, dermal filling consisted of removing fatty tissue from one part of the body where it was not needed, like from sagging fat in the arms, and injecting it to another part where it was needed, like the wrinkling skin of a face. Today, a variety of many more filler choices are available. These fillers are said to work better and to last longer than their earlier counterparts.

Bovine collagen was popular in the United States in the 1980s. Results were claimed to last as long as eighteen months, but the reality was closer to five months, with three months being the average. Nevertheless bovine collagen became the standard by which other fillers were assessed.

Human collagen, collagen derived from human beings that was cultivated in the laboratory, replaced bovine collagen in popularity. Then researchers began to look for something even more compatible with the patient’s body. They arrived at the autologen method. In this method, human collagen is still used, but this time it comes directly from the patient‘s own tissues. This collagen, derived from the patient’s own body, is made into a sterile suspension of fibres. Three square inches of skin can be manufactured to supply 1 ml of 3.5% collagen. This collagen is used to treat wrinkles, lines, scars, and sagging lips.

An alternative to injecting fillers has been autologous collagen. By stimulating an inflammation in the patient, the resulting new collagen deposits are harvested and fat is then mixed with sterile distilled water.

Other viscous fluids have also been tested and used in cosmetic surgery. These include the use of fillers made out of recycled skin, hyaluronic acid, and hybrid technologies.

The recycled skin came from rehabilitation centres for burn victims and was processed for use in aesthetic medicine. Hyaluronic acid, a protein in the skin of mammals, including humans, has been used to form a gel. Finally, artificial Dermal Fillers suspended in bovine collagen have been used to treat wrinkles and scars.

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Dermatological Scarring

Many individuals suffer the lasting effects of severe acne outbreaks. Dermatological scarring can lead to emotional and psychological trauma. Medical science is continually developing treatments to alleviate the physical aspects of the condition. These interventions provide dramatic and lasting results.

Nodular or cystic acne leaves severe scarring but dermatologists can treat the problem. Laser treatments were once the standardized option for treating this type of scarring, but are not effective in diminishing severe scars. Presently, the chosen remedy for treating scarring is with cosmetic fillers.

Silicon Fillers

Following 30 years of research in treating acne scars with various fillers, Dr. Jay Barnett and associate, Dr. Channing Barnett found that silicone fillers are the only means to soften acne scars. The doctors found that five patients with severe scarring had amazing results with silicone injections following one treatment. These patients were studied for 30 years.

Hyaluronic Acid Fillers

In addition to silicone fillers, severe scarring treated with hyaluronic acid fillers showed promising results. But, while the results were impressive, they only lasted six months. Fillers like Perlane have been studied and approved by the Food and Drug Administration for deep skin folds, but not scarring on various areas of the face.

Calcium Fillers

The Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy contains a report where scientists studied a filler made with calcium hydroxlapatite to correct severe acne scars. Scientists used the filler on different types of scarring from deep round scars to pitting scars. They found that in ten subjects, only rounded scars responded well to treatment. Some of the test subjects experienced results that lasted up to a year.

Selecting the Correct Filler

Cosmetic fillers are not an inexpensive treatment. Treatments that last the longest are the most expensive. Filler injections run from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand per treatment. Additionally, a trained and qualified physician must administer the filler properly to achieve maximum results.

If considering cosmetic fillers, locate a physician who has gained expertise in minimizing severe acne scars using this type of treatment. The filler injections cannot be used on acne that is not controlled. The treatment cannot be provided in skin that has inflammation or discomfort caused by continual acne outbreaks.

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Dermal Fillers Require Professional Services

Quick fix dermal filler products include such widely recognized products as Botox, Juvederm, and Restylane. These substances, when properly injected by an experienced clinician, can eliminate obvious signs of aging such as wrinkles, crows’ feet beside the eyes, and forehead creasing.

How Do They Work?

While Botox works beneath the dermal layer to relax those muscles that when contracting, form expressive lines on the face, Juvederm and Restylane work within the skin layer to immediately fill and voluminize the flesh on the face and then provide nutritive revitalization for the longer term. They are especially effective in smoothing areas around the mouth and nose.

Application

Because all three of these dermal fillers require application via injection into facial tissues, they call for the services of a licensed clinician. Only the experienced expert can judge the correct quantity of filler and the proper areas for application. A professional office venue is the safest, most sterile and quality-controlled environment for treatments of this kind.

Industry Concerns

In recent years, especially since sales of Botox, Juvederm and Restylane no longer require a physician’s prescription, more sources are making these dermal fillers available to the general public. People have the option to buy the products directly or online. Incredibly, people are actually giving themselves a do-it-yourself quick facial fix by self-injecting dermal fill substances.

This practice is raising considerable concern among the medical community. Some clinicians point out that medical supplies from unproven sources can easily be counterfeit or substandard products that may cause unwanted side effects. Others focus on the fact that an untrained individual is hardly qualified to judge quantities and injection sites. Amateur applications of Botox, Restylane, or Juvederm can produce some surprising and sometimes alarming results.

Self-injection of dermal fillers can cause redness and infection, excessive swelling, scarring, bleeding, and migration of fillers to undesirable areas of the face. When you inject fillers around your eyes and forehead, you can create droopy eyelids or areas of swelling that a physician may find hard to reverse.

Conclusions

The majority of individuals self-injecting dermal fillers do so to save professional fees. Yet when you consider the potential health problems and side effects that often require a doctor’s intervention later, these do-it-yourselfers rarely save much, and often manage to make themselves look worse rather than better. An initial investment in professional injection of dermal fillers undeniably produces the best results.

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Plastic Surgery Decline – A Boost for Botox and Fillers

Women are not as eager to have cosmetic surgery as they once were as recent statistics show that procedures have declined by almost 20% in the previous year. Breast augmentation, facelift and tummy tuck procedures are not occurring as frequently.

The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery reports that in 2005, 2.1 million procedures were performed whereas in 2009, 1.9 million were done. Surgeons feel the largest factor is the current economy. The luxury industry in general has suffered a blow as consumers exhibit more frugal behavior. Health insurance in most cases does not cover the cost of rhinoplasty or breast augmentation and procedures typically run thousands of dollars.

In the last ten years, the cosmetic surgery industry experienced a surge. Procedures once procured by celebrities and the affluent were being acquired by women of lower class status. The topic was commonly discussed in various forms of media and popularized by such TV shows as Nip/Tuck and Dr. 90210. Reality TV shows, The Swan and Extreme Makeover chose everyday citizens to undergo head to toe transformations to the delight of the viewing audience. These shows are no longer broadcasted.

In recent years, celebrities and others opting to have elective procedures have been the subject of ridicule and gossip. Procedures are scoffed at as being too noticeable or individuals are accused of being addicted to personal appearance and cosmetic surgery.

Heidi Montag, a reality show actress, received criticism from peers, the public and family when she admitted to undergoing 10 cosmetic procedures within a year. Miami Beach plastic surgeon Dr. Michael Hall believes that society’s desire for luxurious excess is coming to a close. People are exercising common sense when it comes to surgical cosmetic procedures.

Though cosmetic surgery is declining, non-surgical procedures are on the rise, which may merely reflect a more conservative choice in treatment. Botox injections, filler injections and laser treatments are less expensive, quicker and patients forfeit long recovery times associated with traditional surgery. Individuals are opting for procedures that are less invasive.

Physicians are noticing cultural as well as economical redirection. The size of breast implants has reduced along with the economy. Washington plastic surgeon Dr. Richard Baxter cites that while at one time one third of his patients chose B cup sizes, currently one half of the patients choose the smaller size.

The industry now wonders what the long term effects will be. Opinions differ, but most concur that while individuals may opt for other procedures, the vanity of humanity will continue to feed the desire for change.

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UK Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers present a multitude of options for those who are involved in the practice of aesthetics. The use of dermal fillers has grown tremendously due to the fact that they present a valid alternative to surgical procedures. While originally used as a treatment for lines and wrinkles, dermal fillers are now available for a wide variety of other aesthetic purposes.

Dermal fillers are now available that can help with things like making someone’s face more symmetrical, enhancing people’s lips, correcting tear trough, and much more. The extensive uses now applicable to dermal fillers has flooded the UK market with a variety of these kinds of products. There are now around 160 dermal filler products available throughout the UK, and the majority of these do not even require a prescription as they are classified as “medical devices”.

While there are not even ten of these products approved by the FDA for use in the United States, there is no regulation available in regards to these products in the UK. This means anyone can buy these products and inject themselves with the ingredients without really knowing what is going into their body. Since there are so many unlicensed products now available, this makes the job of anyone practicing aesthetics harder than it already was, because they will have to learn about these products to get an idea of which one may be the best option for their patients.

While various aesthetic injections have actually been available since the late 1800’s, the term ‘dermal filler” did not come along until the introduction of collagen practically a century later. This led to the revolution of non-surgical aesthetic procedures, with Botox and collagen injections leading the way. While collagen is still a very popular choice, the emergence of other dermal fillers, one of the most popular being hyaluronic acid, has made the choice of collagen less popular than it once was.

Due to the high safety profile provided by hyaluronic acid fillers, they have become the most popular dermal filler used in the UK. Because hyaluronic acid is something that is present in every living organism and is a naturally occurring substance, some form of this type of filler has been used by an estimated 30 million patients throughout the world. The versatility of this product is likely why it has become so popular, as it is available in a variety of thicknesses. Other types of dermal fillers include:

* Calcium hydroxlapatite
* Poly-l-lactic acid
* Polymethyl methacrylate
* Porcine collagen
* Polyacrylamide

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Why Juvéderm Dermal Fillers Are What Our Skin Needs

The aging process undoubtedly changes our skin in many ways, including reducing the collagen fibers that give our skin the elasticity and tightnessJuvéderm it needs. That’s why medical advancements such as Juvéderm have done so much to improve the nature of our skin while we age, allowing us to rejuvenate and heal skin that’s begun to sag and wrinkle. As we battle against pollution in the area, stress, sunlight and unhealthy lifestyles like smoking, new medical treatments are always available to help us recover our appearance when necessary. The truth is our skin is taking the brunt of the damage in our current lifestyles, taking most of the hits like sun damage and stress-related aging. Our skin is actually aging faster than it should because of the rough life it’s going through.

The reason for the aging appearance associated with wrinkles and drooping skin is low levels of collagen and hyaluronic acid. Fortunately, a new product works to fix this. Juvéderm Dermal Filler treatments are a non-surgical procedure that gives you affects that can last at least six months, maybe longer. So what is Juvéderm? Basically, it’s a wrinkle removal gel that fills all the fine lines in the skin to give a smooth look that still looks natural and youthful. Juvéderm fulfills our skin’s needs as wel by providing it with acids that plump and soothe the rough texture of aging skin. Juvéderm treatments are available at both medical spas and cosmetic surgeons’ offices, allowing you to choose which setting will make you most comfortable.

Juvéderm Dermal Filler is a safe and painless alternative to surgical procedures, although it does have some side effects in some cases. Special care should always be taken when using Juvéderm and that’s why it’s only available at select spas and cosmetic surgeons. It is not yet known what the effects of Juvéderm are on pregnant women. Juvéderm Dermal Filler is currently approved for the correction of wrinkles on the face and facial folds.

Juvéderm is a simple procedure that takes less than twenty minutes. Gel is injected into affected areas and smoothed by a trained professional. Your next appointment is then scheduled and you’re ready to go. Typically, treatments cost between £200 and £700, which depends on the type of formula you select. Of course, when compared to the cost of cosmetic surgery, this price is definitely worth it. The results of Juvéderm Dermal Fillers are unparalleled and will leave you amazed.

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Different Types of Dermal Fillers

There exist a few kinds of dermal fillers on the market, all of which have the same intention: to decrease the signs of aging. The only realDermal Fillers differences among them are how long they take, what they are made of, and how they work.

Collagen

Collagen is an injection, thus making it a rather soft product. Because it is based on humans, there are hardly ever any negative reactions and it usually sits well with anybody who takes it. The primary advantage is the fact that it has lidocaine in it, meaning the process is less uncomfortable for a person, making it a good choice for those who fear pain. On average, the product will remain good for up to six months, though it must be refrigerated.

Hyaluronic Acids

Restylane and Perlane are two examples of a non-animal based hyaluronic acid Dermal Fillers. The former product will typically last upwards of six months, where the latter product seems to last a little bit longer than that since it is a bit of a more robust product. Captique, another similar product, will normally last upwards of four months. Juvederm, on the other hand, is a new product of its kind that has been proven to last even longer: upwards of twelve months. Like collagen, it is a soft product that injects with ease.

Hylaform is another type of this product, though unlike the others, it is avian based. It is quite similar to Restylane except it does not last quite as long. However, it does come in numerous different levels of concentration for the purposes of property tailoring for a different level of wrinkles.

Semi-Permanent Dermal Fillers

Manufactured by BioForm, Radiesse is a product that of which is greatly compatible with people due to the fact that it contains a natural body substance: calcium hydroxyapatite. Though it may take multiple injections before the desired result is achieved, when this occurs, it should last upwards of two years. The natural body substance functions as a way to increase the production of new collagen. However, included with this advantage is one drawback: It causes a little bit more pain and bruising than that of other methods.

Manufactured by Sanofi-Aventis, and equally as compatible as the previous mention, Sculptra comes delivered within a vial. Ideally, one would reconstitute the substance at least three hours prior with lidocaine and sterile water. Since the water is used, the results will not be immediate, though it should occur within two days afterwards. Because the final product contains lidocaine, it will not be quite as painful as other methods, though this is a method requiring future injections at least a full month in between. This may last upwards of two years.

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Botox Clinics

For the first time ever, an attempt has been made to monitor and control places that provide Botox treatments and “filler” injections. With 5,000 clinics performing approximately 200,000 Botox treatments for wrinkles and filler treatments designed to plump lips and sagging skin each year in the United Kingdom, the industry is in dire need of regulation. Although there are plenty of legitimate practitioners working in the industry, there are also far too many rogue practitioners administering treatments they are not qualified to give. To combat this, only doctors, dentists and nurses will be invited to participate in this attempt at regulation, along with organizations that provide Botox and filler injections. Once accepted, these practitioners will receive certificates of approval proving the quality and safety of their service.

The main problem with this proposed system is that it is voluntary. The charity Action Against Medical Accidents declared that if the Government does not make this system statutory, many people will be left at risk because an industry cannot be trusted to regulate itself properly – especially an industry that is as large and prosperous as the cosmetic industry. The Government requires any major cosmetic surgery to be regulated, but as Botox and filler injections are relatively minor non-surgical procedures, they can be offered by just about any business. Peter Walsh, the chief executive of Action Against Medical Accidents declares that his charity will continue “using our experience and influence to make this scheme as robust as it can be.”

One of the best reasons to create a regulated cosmetic industry is to help reduce the amount of botched cosmetic procedures. The most high profile examples of cosmetic treatments gone wrong are usually celebrities. For example, in 2003, Leslie Ash, the star of the television show Men Behaving Badly, had filler injections on her lips. The procedure went wrong, resulting in a look known as the “trout pout.” It is hard to determine exactly how many people have suffered from cosmetic treatments gone wrong or adverse side effects since many people are extremely embarrassed as to what has happened to them and would prefer to keep it quiet rather than raise a national ruckus. Also, without strict guidelines, many practitioners may turn to shady and dangerous treatments. For instance, in 2005, two government reports were published detailing how several practitioners supplying filler injections were using material from both animal and human corpses – material that could have been infected with hepatitis and other deadly diseases.

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The Pros and Cons of the Cosmetic Treatment Craze

Cosmetic treatment technologies continue to evolve, making beauty easier and cheaper for women to attain. This is good news for women seeking to appear younger, particularly because research has shown a correlation between attractiveness and career success. And since today’s non invasive treatments are less costly and require less recovery time than surgical procedures, more and more women are climbing on the cosmetic treatment bandwagon. But these newer treatments are temporary compared to traditional cosmetic surgery, requiring recurring visits to cosmetic treatment providers, and costs and time invested can add up. Also, experts worry that the growing fad may have societal repercussions in which younger and younger women are turning to cosmetic treatments in order to feel acceptable. And finally, little studies have been conducted to determine the long-term effects of non invasive treatments.

It’s true that cosmetic treatments are getting easier. Where cow-sourced collagen formerly required skin testing, human collagen and Botox now require no skin test. The treatments are quick and easy, with virtually no recovery time. When compared with traditional cosmetic surgery, fillers and injections are much more affordable, costing hundreds of dollars instead of thousands of dollars. But since these treatments are not permanent, women must routinely have the treatments repeated. And experts say that the non invasive treatments are simply postponing the traditional plastic surgeries, such as eyebrow lifts and face lifts. In the end, women may pay more than if they had opted for the traditional surgery in the first place. Also, traditional surgery has a longer history, so side-effects and long-term effects are well known by doctors.

But many argue against the growing fad altogether. Younger women are undergoing non invasive cosmetic treatments than ever before. Books such as “Bodylove: Learning to Like Our Looks and Ourselves, A Practical Guide for Women” by Rita Freedman and “Midlife Crisis at 30: How the Stakes Have Changed for a New Generation – And What to Do About It” by Lia Macko and Kerry Rubin address the negative repercussions that this fad has on society. Women see celebrities and even their peers undergoing treatments, and they feel like they don’t measure up. Indeed, studies have shown a correlation between career success and attractiveness, so it may be that the trend is already irreversible. Cosmetic enhancements may be no different than any other technology taking over the globe. Once we go there, it’s hard to turn back.

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Overview of Dermal Fillers

There’s almost nothing more satisfying for patients that undergo cosmetic procedures than an immediate correction in scars, skin texture and appearance. Dermal fillers today can provide this, instantly filling in hollow areas and smoothing the skin’s surface. Bovine collagen was the first FDA-approved dermal filler in the United States and remained the only option for almost a decade after it’s introduction in 1981. This type of dermal filler quickly became very popular and was sold under the name Zyderm I, with effective results that lasted around three months.

Of course, Zyderm I had its shortcomings. It was able to give fair results with marionette lines, moderate rhytides and deep nasolabial folds, although it had many disadvantages. Zyderm I provided a potential for allergy and required a skin test before use. The results only lasted three months or less and results were often disappointing for moderate to severe lines and scars.

In a very short time, Zyderm II and Zyplast were approved by the FDA and introduced to the public, addressing many of the problems with Zyderm I. These new types of dermal fillers significantly improved results and remained the only dermal fillers approved for use by the FDA for almost a decade. Still, there were many needs left unanswered. These products had many limitations and the full potential of facial dermal fillers wasn’t seen for some time.

The ideal dermal filler is safe, painless, hypoallergenic, inexpensive and provides results that last a long time. Today, dermal fillers have come a long way to fulfill this promise. With an increasingly large population reaching middle age, the demand for effective and safe dermal fillers is only growing. For this reason, facial filler products are the fastest growing area of cosmetic surgery and will continue to develop.

Dermal fillers are products that are injected into the dermis. After a treatment with dermal fillers, patients must not manipulate or touch the treated area to prevent product shift. If you’re interested in a treatment with facial fillers, typical costs range between £200 and £600 per session, depending on the formula you select. Today, results can last for six months or longer and greatly improve the appearance of even deeply set-in lines. You can even select fillers in the United States that are subdermal fillers, which are injected under the dermis in the subcutis area. Dermal fillers are only for use by trained professionals so you’ll need to schedule an appointment with a medical spa or cosmetic surgeon for each session. If you’re ready to see the difference a facial dermal filler can make, try scheduling a session today. You’ll find new fillers can erase years from your face while improving the overall texture and evenness of your skin.

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