In a world where there are seemingly countless dermal fillers, it can feel overwhelming for newcomers. That’s why Palo Alto Laser and Skin Care offers complimentary consultations on all procedures, including dermal fillers, so you can learn in a zero-pressure environment exactly what each filler does and what the best strategy is to achieve your skin goals. Zuzana Likar, our resident skin care expert, is committed to only carrying the best, safest, and most effective dermal fillers—but what makes all of these dermal fillers different?
The majority of dermal fillers are made with hyaluronic acid (HA), including Voluma and Volbella. HA is already synthesized naturally in the body, which helps ensure a very minimal risk of adverse reactions—after all, the body isn’t typically going to reject what it already has and makes. One of the main benefits of HA fillers is that the results are immediate. The injector physically places the dermal filler into the target site, whether that’s the top of the hands, jawline, below the eyes, cheek, or lips.
Why Everyone Loves HA Fillers
Of course, some swelling is to be expected immediately after any injection. The full results of your HA filler will be revealed about 1 – 2 weeks after the injection. However, most clients feel perfectly fine going about their daily lives, taking Zoom calls, and otherwise showing off their results right after the injection. A lot of people enjoy having a couple weeks of “extra volume” before the minimal swelling subsides. Still, if you’re thinking about getting dermal fillers for a special event or photos, it’s a good idea to plan your injection 3 – 4 weeks in advance so that any swelling has time to subside. Light bruising is also possible, but is less common than swelling.
You might be wondering why there are so many different types of HA dermal fillers if they’re all made with the same ingredient. The processing of HA is also a factor. That’s why certain HA dermal fillers are designed for specific parts of the face and body. For example, some HA dermal fillers are explicitly designed to spread which can cause a natural look for the lips—but you might not want such spreading in other parts of the face or body.
There’s also a factor of how long dermal fillers last. On average, HA dermal fillers last anywhere from 6 – 18 months, but different types of HA fillers are meant to last various timeframes. Some people want to test out a new look short-term before committing, while others want their results to last as long as possible. The look you want and how long you want it to last are all factors that will be discussed during your complimentary consultation.
Non-HA Fillers
There are also dermal fillers that aren’t made with HA, such as Sculptra. This popular dermal filler’s main ingredient is poly-L-lactic acid, which is synthetically created (though it does exist in its natural state in the body). Instead of immediately providing volume to the injection site, non-HA fillers like Sculptra tell the body to produce its own collagen at the injection site. In other words, you’re not going to see immediate results, but you will see results appear in the months following the injection and these results can last for 2+ years.
Those who prefer dermal fillers not made with HA typically want a very natural look. They are happy to wait for the results and are committed to helping their body regain their youthful vitality. We all produce collagen in abundance when we are younger, but this process slows down with age. However, we can “tell” our body to start up that collagen again with a variety of treatments including non-HA fillers.
Choosing Your Dermal Filler
It’s not uncommon to use a variety of dermal fillers for a customized look that’s exactly what you want. Mixing Volbella, Sculptra, Voluma, or other fillers for an organic and stunning look is well within reach when you work with leading skin care experts. To schedule your complimentary consultation with Palo Alto Laser and Skin Care, complete the online form or call the office at (650) 565-8683.