Misconceptions About Dermal Fillers
The popularity of cosmetic injections has absolutely skyrocketed over the last 3 to 5 years. Botox and filler are more popular than ever, even amidst a global pandemic. There is so much information out there about these treatments, it’s easy to get carried away in your research and maybe even talk yourself out of going through with a treatment. I wanted to debunk the top 5 misconceptions out there about dermal fillers.
1. It won’t look natural.
This is something I get asked about on a daily basis, especially with
first time lip filler patients. In the wrong hands, filler can absolutely look over done and unnatural. Even the type of filler you select can play a huge part in the results of your treatment. Another thing to keep in mind, especially with lips, is that one syringe of filler is equivalent to one fifth of a teaspoon. It takes TEN syringes to fill a McDonald’s ketchup packet! Many first time patients worry that one full syringe will be too much. Almost everyone will need a full syringe if they’ve never done treatment before. Make sure you are researching your injector equally as much as the treatment you are looking to have done. They should have ample before and after photos to share with you! Remember, if photos are taken immediately after injections, the patient will be swollen and that won’t be an accurate representation of the amount of volume one syringe can give.
2. If I don’t like the filler, I’m stuck with it.
This isn’t (always) true! Most fillers are made of Hyaluronic acid. Luckily, Hyaluronic acid can be dissolved should you not like the results or have an unlikely complication. However, products like Radiesse, Bellafill, and Sculptra are not in the same boat. These products are not made of Hyaluronic acid and cannot be dissolved as easily should they need to be. If your injector recommends these products, make sure they are very experienced and skilled in their craft!
3. Filler is too much maintenance.
Like any treatment, maintenance will be required if you want to keep up with the results from your filler treatment. Depending on the area you
are wanting treated and the type of filler you select, we may only need to see you once a year! Filler around the mouth, including lips, lasts anywhere from 6 to 9 months, but there are a few lucky patients out there who can do annual visits. Cheeks, chin, and jaw last a little longer at 12 to 18 months, depending on the filler.
4. There’s too much downtime.
In comparison to alternative routes like plastic surgery, filler has significantly less downtime. With any filler treatment, there will be a risk for bruising and swelling. We’re sticking a needle in your face! There are, thankfully, some tips and tricks to help reduce your downtime after a filler treatment. For at least 48 hours before your treatment, we suggest avoiding any blood thinning medications such as Advil, Fish Oil, or Vitamin E. Alcohol, caffeine, and green tea can also thin your blood, so it’s best to go without (if you can!). For best results, we love oral Arnica tablets to help prevent bruising! You can purchase these at any pharmacy, but we also sell Arnica tablets. These should be taken before and after your treatment. After your filler, it’s best to avoid exercise, yoga, saunas, or hot showers for at least 48 hours or until the swelling has resolved. Increasing your internal body temperature will also increase the swelling of your treated areas. And lastly, ice! 15 minutes on, 15 minutes off the day of your treatment.
5. Filler will be painful.
Actually, quite opposite! Filler certainly won’t be relaxing, but there
are some options to make the treatment more bearable. We use a medical grade topical blend of Lidocaine, Tetracaine, and Benzocaine. Most patients say that the numbing cream makes filler injections much more tolerable! If your pain tolerance is on the lower side, we also offer the Pro-Nox as a $50 add on. The Pro Nox is a blend of oxygen and nitrogen similar to laughing gas at the dentist. The only difference is that the blend passes through your system quick enough that it’s perfectly safe to drive home post treatment.
