Dermal Filler Treatments

 

What are Dermal Fillers?

 

Soft tissue augmentation is the term used for increasing size of either the dermis or sub dermis using an injectable filler product.  In other words, something that is injected in, to fill and create a more pleasing appearance.

 

Where are Dermal Fillers used?

 

Dermal Fillers are mainly used within or underneath facial skin where the skin is no longer supporting enough and is creating a wrinkle, fold or there is tissue atrophy (wasting away) such as from acne scarring.  They can also be used on areas other than the facial skin, e.g. surgical scars and to fill areas such as the lips.

 

Why do we use Dermal Fillers?

 

• Volume loss with ageing - When a face is full, it's firmer, tighter and has less wrinkles and folds.  One of the characteristics of ageing is to have a deflation of the face which is partially boney, but a considerable amount is loss of fat, facial muscles, and even thinning of the skin.  DF's can be used to restore lost volume.

 

• Muslce action and wrinkle formation - Another major contributor to formation of wrinkles and folds in the face is the action of the facial muscles.  Repeated action of the muscle contributes to the formation of wrinkles and folds. 

 

• Gravity - Gravity also contributes to facial folds and the most obvious of this is the Nasolabial Folds (NLF) which is a combination of descent of the cheeks and the action of the smiling muscle elevating the lips and creating the fold.

 

What other areas can you treat?

 

• Crow's Feet - Mainly for lines that will not soften with anti-wrinkle injections

• Frown Lines - Mainly for imbedded lines that will not soften with anti-wrinkle injections

• Lip Augmentation - Lips can be given extra volume, but DF's can also be used to strengthen the border of the lip and this stops lipstick bleed lines

• Perioral Lines (Vertical lines in the upper and lower lip) -  Often called smoker's lines, however you don't have to be a smoker to get them 

• Tissue atrophy - Loss of volume, loss of tissue from acne scarring, or repetitive folding of the skin from muscle activity will lead to tissue atrophy

• Marionette Lines (Vertical lines that run downward from the outer corners of the mouth) - DF's provide immediate results

• Tear Trough (The depression between the fat of the lower eyelid and the bulk of the cheek) - Becomes more obvious as the cheek fat pad descends with time

 

​Who can inject Dermal Fillers?


All DF's are classified as S4 medications, which means only Doctors and Cosmetic Physicians can purchase and prescribe them.  A Registered Nurse can inject, though it must be under the supervision of a doctor.

 

How do I know which Dermal Filler is best for me?

 

As there are many Dermal Fillers on the market, the Cosmetic Physician Dr Hooi will provide a thorough consultation where they will assess the area and advise which DF is best suited for your particular concern.