Dermal Filler San Diego is a cosmetic treatment that reduces the appearance of wrinkles and sculpts facial contours. These injectable fillers are available from licensed health care providers in their offices or at a medical spa (also known as a medspa or medispa).
Most dermal fillers are made of materials that the body eventually breaks down and absorbs. Some of these include calcium hydroxylapatite, which is found in your bones; polylactic acid, which stimulates collagen production; and hyaluronic acid, a natural substance that binds water and promotes skin elasticity.
Calcium Hydroxylapatite
As we age, the skin, fat, and bones in our face begin to lose their elasticity and firmness. This can result in wrinkles, folds, and laxity around the nose and mouth. Injectable calcium hydroxylapatite, available under the brand name Radiesse, is a synthetic filler that can be used to improve the appearance of these creases and lines. It also has the unique ability to stimulate new tissue growth, which helps the face look younger and more refreshed.
When injected correctly, Radiesse can produce natural-looking results that last for months or even years. This is because it is made from a safe, biocompatible material that can be safely used in the body. In addition, the injectable contains lidocaine to ensure patient comfort. Lidocaine is an anesthetic that can reduce discomfort during injection and prolong the treatment time.
Injections of Radiesse involve placing small amounts of the dermal filler into the desired area using a blunt-tipped cannula. The procedure takes less than 15 minutes, and the results are immediately visible. The cannula is then removed, and the area is massaged to help the product integrate into the skin. Over a year after the injection, nodules may form, but these are generally benign and can be resolved with the use of hyaluronic acid or a non-inflammatory dermal filler like elastin or bovine collagen.
While there are many dermal fillers on the market, it is important to choose a physician who has experience with these products and understands how they work. A skilled practitioner will know how much of each product to use to avoid overfilling or underfilling. They will also be able to determine which type of filler is best for each patient’s needs.
For example, hyaluronic acid fillers are ideal for smoothing out fine lines, while calcium hydroxylapatite fillers are better suited to lifting sagging cheeks. In addition, a talented practitioner will be able to select the right type of filler for each patient’s unique skin condition. They will also be able to provide realistic expectations about what the procedure can achieve. Ultimately, the patient will be happy with their results and will have an improved quality of life because of their youthful appearance.
Polylactic Acid
Poly-L-lactic acid is a semi-permanent dermal filler that stimulates the body’s natural production of collagen. This product is injected into the deep layers of the skin, where it will slowly begin to degrade and stimulate neocollagenesis, which creates new collagen fibers that reduce wrinkles and other signs of aging. The result will last several months to a few years, depending on your unique chemistry. This is why multiple treatments are recommended; each treatment will re-stimulate the body’s collagen production and your results will continue to improve over time.
PolyL-lactic acid is made from a renewable source, such as corn, cassava, sugar beet pulp, or other starches, that are fermented and turned into lactic acid. This lactic acid is then reacted with polycaprolactone to form PLA. The resulting polymer is biodegradable and can be used in medical devices, such as injection syringes and surgical screws, pins and plates that will break down within the body after a few months.
Another benefit of Poly-L-lactic acid is its ability to induce neocollagenesis without stimulating inflammatory responses in the tissue. This can be beneficial to patients with sensitivity to other injectable dermal fillers, such as hyaluronic acid (HA), which is sometimes associated with inflammatory reactions.
In a study involving pigs, the researchers found that PLLA microspheres (PLLA MS) induced only a slight increase in inflammation and did not trigger an increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1 or IL-8. In addition, PLLA MS significantly stimulated the regeneration of collagen in the guinea pig skin, 1.4 to 1.1 times more than the amount stimulated by HA.
The researchers also investigated the distribution of PLLA MS in the skin over 60 days after the injection. Compared with a control group of rats that received PBS, the PLLA groups showed more evenly distributed biomaterials in the skin. The PLLA group also displayed significantly lower levels of inflammatory cells and multinucleated giant cell formation. These findings suggest that a dermal filler based on PLLA may be less likely to trigger an inflammatory response and potentially lead to complications such as infection or granuloma formation.
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is something that our bodies naturally produce, but it’s also widely available in skin care products as a gel-like water-binding ingredient. It can hold up to 1,000 times its own weight in water within the cells of the skin, which keeps it plump and hydrated. It also boosts collagen production, fights free radicals and has antibacterial properties that aid in wound healing.
As we age, the natural hyaluronic acid concentrations in our skin decline, which is why it’s important to add it back through topical products or oral supplements. Hyaluronic acid’s ability to attract and retain water means that it promotes the growth of new skin cells, which in turn slows down the aging process. This results in smoother, healthier skin with fewer fine lines and wrinkles.
It’s also been shown to stimulate the production of nitric oxide, which can help decrease the signs of aging by slowing down the breakdown of the body’s existing collagen. This results in reduced inflammation, less oxidative stress and better blood circulation.
Like other dermal fillers, injectable hyaluronic acid is safe for most people, including patients with sensitive skin. The injection sites are cleaned and sanitized before the procedure, and lidocaine can be added for patient comfort.
The most common side effects are bruising and swelling, but these symptoms are short-lived. It’s recommended that patients avoid alcohol, aspirin and ibuprofen, and other drugs that increase the risk of bleeding, for a week before their treatment to minimize the likelihood of bruising.
Another potential side effect is the unintentional injection of hyaluronic acid into a blood vessel (known as vascular occlusion), which can lead to tissue death, scab formation and scarring. Fortunately, this is also rare and can be reversed with a quick injection of the enzyme hyaluronidase.
Hyaluronic acid is used as a dermal filler for lip enhancement, eye contouring and nasolabial folds, which are the lines from the nose to the corners of the mouth. It can also be injected into joints to relieve pain from osteoarthritis, especially in the knees. This procedure is called intraarticular injection.
Collagen
Collagen is a major protein in your skin and plays a role in its strength, elasticity, and hydration. It decreases as you age, leading to dryness and fine lines and wrinkles. You can increase collagen by using skincare products that contain it or taking supplements. You can also get more collagen in your diet by eating foods such as fish, chicken, whole grains, beans, and nuts. You can also use a collagen facial filler to plump shallow depressions in the skin and improve its appearance.
There are many different types of collagen. Some are fibril-forming, such as the type that forms the connective tissues of the body. They form supramolecular assemblies in the extracellular matrix and interact with cell surface receptors to regulate cell growth, differentiation, and migration. Other types of collagen are more membrane-bound. They participate in cell-matrix interactions and bind to integrins (cell-adhesion receptors that lack intrinsic kinase activity). The four membrane collagens are distinct from fibril-forming collagens in that they have a von Willebrand domain at the amino-terminus and a Kunitz domain at the carboxy-terminus.
The most common type of collagen is found in the dermis, where it makes up a large portion of the skin’s support structure. It also plays a role in tissue repair and wound healing.
In addition to its structural function, collagen provides the skin with a smooth texture and youthful glow. The best-known type of collagen used as a dermal filler is purified bovine collagen. However, this type of filler is less durable than others, and requires allergy testing before treatment. It is also absorbed into the body more quickly than some other fillers.
Injectable collagen is a popular option for treating fine lines and wrinkles. The substance stimulates your own body’s production of collagen, so results appear gradually over a few months. Because this is not a permanent solution, it is best suited for those who are willing to undergo regular touch-up treatments. Other injectable dermal fillers that can help you look younger include fat from your own body, hyaluronic acid, calcium hydroxyl apatite, and poly-L-lactic acid.