Dermal Fillers - What Are They, And Who Should Use Them?

It is just another one of those inescapable truths about aging: as we get older, our faces lose volume. As we lose more and more of that volume, the wrinkles become more prominent, and our facial features less distinct. Every smile and frown starts to add up, and eventually they result in facial wrinkles. There are plenty of options for how to deal with this byproduct of getting older, and you no longer have to necessarily consider “going under the knife.” Dermal fillers are gaining popularity in the U.S. for good reason: they are a good non-surgical alternative, they are relatively affordable, and the recovery time is minimal.

The next question, of course, is what are dermal fillers? Dermal fillers are injections in the facial skin that help plump up areas that have lost volume. Doing so restores a more youthful, full appearance. Sometimes they’re referred to as “liquid facelifts,” since they offer many of the same results as a surgical facelift, with no surgery, much reduced downtime, and much less cost. The injection process itself takes only a matter of minutes, and the positive effects are seen right away.

While there are numerous types of filler used for injections, at GLOW Skin Revived, we frequently use two dermal fillers we consider amongst the best: JUVEDÉRM and RADIESSE. The former is a smooth gel filler made of hyaluronic acid, used especially for correction of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds. The latter is a filler made of calcium-based microspheres suspended in a water-based gel. If you’re looking to improve or correct sagging cheeks or deep nasolabial folds, Radiesse may be the best choice.

No idea which filler is the best match for you? That’s perfectly fine. A free, no obligation consultation with one of the cosmetic surgeons at our Redwood City surgical office will provide you with answers to any questions you might have. We’ll help you determine if you’re a good candidate (generally, people in their 40s and 50s are excellent candidates, but younger folks can certainly utilize the fillers as well), and if you are, what you can expect before, during and after the procedure.

Should you ultimately decide dermal fillers are the route you want to go, you won’t be alone, by any means. In 2011, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, dermal filler procedures increased by 7 percent. Millions of Americans have chosen dermal fillers as their response to the facial wrinkles age brings. Botox is another popular choice for lines and wrinkles on the face, but it has a different mechanism of action. For Juvederm and Radiesse, the risks (namely swelling and minor bruising) are minimal, the downtime is negligible, and there is no “going under the knife.” At GLOW Skin Revived, we want you to feel good about the face staring back at you in the mirror, no matter how old you are. If dermal fillers can help you feel better about the way your facial features are aging, we’re happy to explore that option with you.

Feel free to contact us at any time to schedule your complimentary consultation. We look forward to seeing you soon.

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