Dermal fillers are gel-based injection treatments that helps restore volume to your face by injecting a gel just below the skin. The gel is usually a substance that is very similar to substances found in our bodies, such as hyaluronic acid or calcium hydroxylapatite.
Different fillers are usually made of different substances and can as a result have different characteristics – for more information on that, click here.
In this article, we’ll be focusing specifically on fillers that boost collagen production – calcium hydroxylapatite fillers and poly-L-lactic acid fillers – and how they work.
Collagen: The Source of Youth
We already know collagen to be the not-so-secret ingredient for anti-aging, and the building block of youthful, supple skin. It essentially functions as a supporting structure for our skin, tendons, and cartilage – think of it as the pillars that support our skin, keeping it supple, firm and lifted.
There are many ways to boost collagen production in our bodies, ranging from collagen supplements to Ultherapy. Collagen-boosting fillers are just one of these methods, and tend to be either poly-L-lactic acid fillers (e.g. brands like Sculptra) or calcium hydroxylapatite fillers (e.g. brands like Radiesse).
Poly-L-Lactic Acid Fillers
Such fillers stimulate collagen production deep within the dermis (one of your skin layers) rather than at the surface level. Through the stimulation of collagen as a building block for your skin, this helps to restore your skin’s inner structure and volume over the next few months following your injection.
Examples of such brands include Sculptra.
Calcium Hydroxylapatite Fillers
While sounding like a complicated and foreign substance, calcium hydroxylapatite is actually a naturally-occurring substance found in our bones. Once injected, these fillers provide immediate volume, helping reduce the appearance of hollow cheeks or sunken forehead temples.
But such fillers continue to work by stimulating the body to produce its own collagen, further boosting your skin’s structural integrity over time.
Examples of such brands include Radiesse.
What The Filler Procedure Is Like
If you’re worried about pain, don’t fret! Just before the injection, either a topical anaesthetic cream or a regional nerve block injection will be applied to the treatment area. Once the area has been adequately anaesthetized, the filler will be safely injected into your skin. The effect is immediate with little to no downtime.
Common side effects can include redness and swelling, which should subside a few hours after the injection. Other side effects include bruising, which should subside within 3 days.
To reduce the occurrence and severity of such side effects, any substance that can hinder blood clotting should be avoided. The usage of proper topical medications and cold compresses can also help to relieve minor side effects.
For more information about our filler treatments, call us at +65 6738 4700, email us at enquire@lsaestheticclinic.com, or visit us at Wisma Atria, Orchard Road.
We provide honest advice, quality care, and affordable prices.