There's a great quote by American comedian Rita Rudner that says, "I don't plan to grow old gracefully. I plan to have face-lifts until my ears meet".
Back in the day, getting older meant giving in to wrinkles and grey hair. Not anymore it seems. Today it's more about growing old disgracefully or, at least, doing what we can to slow it down.
The main reason our faces start to age is a loss of volume. The skin loses its elasticity and sags, which can be pretty depressing when you look in the mirror. In the past, the only solution was to go under the surgeon's knife.
These days we have a far safer and more accessible option, and that's the use of dermal fillers. These are injected into the skin to soften wrinkles and add plumpness to the skin. The results being achieved today are really miraculous and offer long-lasting results.
Believe it or not, this concept dates back to the late 1800s. Shortly after the syringe was invented doctors started experimenting with injectables to restore youthful beauty and treat deformities. The first idea they came up with was to use paraffin! Not surprisingly, that caused a few problems.
After that, they tried fat implants, silicone and animal collagens before coming up with hyaluronic acid fillers.
The newest dermal fillers are made of resorbable hyaluronic acid, which occurs naturally in the body but decreases with age. The filler attracts water and creates plumpness.
Dermal fillers have many uses, the most popular being to plump up cheeks and lips. They can be injected into the face to soften lines, creases and scars. They can also be used to reconstruct noses and chins.
In all these circumstances, dermal fillers are a quick and easy fix. Administered via tiny injections the results are pretty much instant, with minimal downtime.
It is extremely important to only use a qualified, experienced injector. Whilst this may sound obvious, there are unqualified people offering this service with dire consequences. Some people even attempt to do the treatment themselves.
This can be extremely dangerous. Whilst very safe in the hands of a professional, there are risks when dermal fillers are not used correctly. These may include infection, skin eruptions, lumps, bruising and bleeding.
If you want to be sure of getting the best results with minimal discomfort, it pays to choose a professional. A trained injector will numb the area to be treated with an anaesthetic cream or injection and offer advice on aftercare.
There may be some minor side effects, such as redness and swelling, but that will usually disappear after 24 hours.
Dermal fillers can be used in conjunction with anti-wrinkle injections to dramatically rejuvenate your face. It's best to take advice from your consultant on this.
Depending on the area being treated and the choice of filler, results last from four months to forever. If you're getting treatment for the first time, it's best to start small and work up. Remember, you can always add more but you can't take it out.
Whilst permanent dermal fillers are available, most trained injectors recommend the use of temporary fillers, which dissolve over time. Hyaluronic acid fillers are usually recommended for first-time patients.
There's a good reason why professionals favour temporary fillers. Our face structure continues to change as we grow older, which affects how we look. Temporary dermal fillers allow changes to be made when necessary. They are more adaptable and even reversible.
Whilst permanent dermal fillers would appear to make sense financially, they can leave you stuck with a look you don't like. They can also create unrealistic expectations for the patient. Fillers can only do so much. For drastic changes, you would probably have to consider surgery.
Browse Bookwell to find a qualified dermal filler injector in your locality.