Have you noticed changes in your face as you’ve gotten older? Maybe your cheeks aren’t as full as they used to be, or your face doesn’t have that rounded, youthful look anymore. This is often due to something called facial volume loss, which is pretty common as people age. It’s not just about getting older, though. Things like spending a lot of time in the sun, smoking, or not having the best diet can speed this up.
Facial volume loss isn’t just about wrinkles or lines; it’s about losing the plumpness that gives your face a youthful shape. This happens because, over time, you naturally lose some of the fat in your face, and your skin doesn’t bounce back like it used to because it’s not making as much collagen. Collagen is the stuff in your skin that helps keep it firm and smooth. As these changes add up, your face starts to look a bit older than you might feel on the inside.
Many people look for ways to fix this because how we feel about our appearance can really affect our day-to-day life. It can change how you interact with others and even influence your mood. That’s why options like dermal fillers have become so popular. They’re a type of treatment that can help fill in areas where you’ve lost volume, smoothing out the skin and bringing back a more youthful contour to your face.
In this blog, Consultant Plastic Surgeon Anca Breahna will talk about dermal fillers. She will cover what they are, how they work, and why they might be a good option if you’re noticing changes in your face. We’ll look at the different types of fillers, what you can expect when you get them, and how to make sure you find the right person to do the treatment.
Facial volume loss might sound a bit technical, but it’s something quite straightforward. It’s when the face loses some of its underlying fat, which leads to a change in your facial contours and overall appearance. As you get older, this is a normal part of ageing. Your cheeks or areas around your eyes and jawline might look a little hollow or sunken compared to how they once did.
Why does this happen? Well, several factors play a role here:
But it’s not just about getting older. Your lifestyle can speed up this process:
If you’re wondering what they actually are, they’re soft, gel-like substances that get injected under your skin. They can help to fill in wrinkles, plump up areas that have lost volume, and even enhance features like your lips or cheeks. People choose dermal fillers for a quick boost in appearance because the results are immediate, and the procedures don’t require much downtime.
There are several types of dermal fillers available, each suited to different needs:
So, how do dermal fillers actually work to restore your facial volume? When injected, these fillers plump up the treated area immediately. They can smooth out lines and wrinkles by adding volume under the skin in places where fat has been lost. This process helps to restore a more youthful and refreshed appearance to your face.
When it comes to refreshing your look, dermal fillers offer a host of advantages that make them a popular choice for facial rejuvenation. If you’re thinking about whether this treatment could be right for you, here’s a breakdown of the main benefits:
The longevity of these fillers means that you don’t need frequent treatments, making them a time-efficient and cost-effective method for maintaining a youthful appearance.
Different fillers work better for different parts of the face because of how they interact with the tissue and how much volume they can provide. Here’s a simple guide:
Each type of filler has its own set of characteristics and benefits, so it’s important to discuss your options with Anca to determine which one will meet your goals.
While dermal fillers are a popular choice for facial rejuvenation, there are several other treatments you might consider either alongside or as alternatives to fillers. Each option has its own set of benefits and can be suited to different needs or preferences.
Fat grafting, or fat transfer, is a procedure that involves taking fat from one part of your body, like your thighs or abdomen, and injecting it into areas of your face that have lost volume. This treatment not only fills in wrinkles or sunken areas but also improves skin quality over time, as fat contains stem cells that can help rejuvenate the skin. The results can be very natural-looking and long-lasting since the fat is from your own body. It’s a good option if you’re looking for a more substantial correction that uses natural tissue.
Laser treatments can also complement or serve as an alternative to fillers. These procedures use targeted light to treat skin problems on the surface level, such as fine lines, sun damage, or uneven skin tone. Some laser therapies can also stimulate collagen production deep under the skin, which helps improve skin elasticity and firmness over time. While lasers won’t provide the immediate volume that fillers can, they are excellent for overall skin rejuvenation and can enhance the quality and texture of your skin.
Maintaining a solid skincare regime is essential for supporting the health of your skin. Good skincare can complement the effects of procedures like fillers or lasers. For instance, using products with hyaluronic acid can help keep your skin hydrated and plump. Products containing retinoids or vitamin C can stimulate collagen production and protect against damage from the environment. While skincare alone won’t replace the volume lost due to ageing, it can significantly improve skin tone, texture, and resilience.
While treatments like dermal fillers and fat grafting are generally safe, they do carry some risks. Common side effects include swelling, redness, and bruising at the injection site. More serious risks can include allergic reactions, infection, or asymmetry where the filler is not evenly distributed. Choosing a skilled and experienced practitioner is essential to minimise these risks.
It’s usually recommended to wait at least two weeks to a month after the initial treatment to allow for any swelling or bruising to subside. This waiting period will enable you to see the final results before deciding if additional treatment is needed.
Yes, incorporating a healthy diet can support your skin’s health and may enhance the results of your treatments. Foods rich in antioxidants, like berries, nuts, and green leafy vegetables, can help protect skin cells from damage. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish and flaxseeds, can improve skin’s elasticity. Staying hydrated is also important for maintaining skin hydration and plumpness.
Facial exercises, often referred to as “face yoga,” can help improve muscle tone and facial fullness to a degree. Regularly performing exercises that target the cheeks and jawline can help enhance the overall appearance of your face by strengthening facial muscles, potentially boosting the effects of treatments.
When deciding between dermal fillers and fat grafting, consider factors like the longevity of results, the naturalness of the outcome, and recovery time. Dermal fillers offer immediate results and little downtime but typically require repeat treatments to maintain effects. Fat grafting provides a more permanent solution and uses natural body fat, but it involves a more invasive procedure with a longer recovery. Discussing your lifestyle, treatment goals, and tolerance for downtime with Anca can help determine the best option for you.