Dermal fillers, if you must
India is seeing a surge in the aesthetic injectables market, expected to grow over 5 per cent annually through 2030, according to GlobalData, a data and analytics company.
Dermal fillers seem to be the new facials. And it’s not just celebrities who are getting it done, the demand is also increasing among common people. It’s a matter of personal choice in the end.
As we age and/or due to sun exposure, muscle action, inadequate sleep and sleep positions, smoking, weight loss and even stress, the skin tissue gets lost or shrinks. This can leave wrinkles, folds, depressions, grooves and sagging skin. Many temporary and permanent dermal fillers have been approved for plumping up soft tissue, filling in facial wrinkles and smoothening the skin.
Some of the dermal fillers include:
Collagen: Suitable for deep lines and some scars. The effects last for about four to six months.
Hyaluronic acid: Suitable for thin surface lines, particularly around mouth and forehead. The effects last for about a year.
Hyaluronan (a form of hyaluronic acid): Suitable for deep lines and acne scars. This can be used as an alternative for people allergic to collagen. The effects last for about six months.
Polylactic acid: Suitable for skin depressions and deep lines. It prompts the treated skin to produce collagen.
Polyacrylamide: Suitable for deep lines. Once injected, it forms a soft and permanent implant.
Fat injections: Fat tissue is taken from other body parts using a thin needle. This fat is sterilised and injected into the facial line or wrinkle. Called microlipo injection, its effects can be long-lasting. Touch-up injections may be needed in some cases.
These fillers are mostly used around the eyes, cheeks, mouth, neck and hands to fill in hollows or dark circles, smooth wrinkles or plump lips.
Whatever procedure you may be opting for, it is best to have realistic expectations.
What can go wrong
The adverse events can include infection, ulceration, swelling and redness at the injection site, minor temporary bleeding, bruising, itching, skin discolouration, lumps (nodules) forming under the skin, allergic reaction, bumps, and in rare cases, disfigurement.
Be cautious
Get dermal filler injections only under the direct supervision of a licensed and skilled dermatologist or a cosmetic surgeon.
When to avoid
If you have severe allergies such as asthma or severer allergic reactions, especially those who are allergic to collagen, eggs or lidocaine. Or have a bleeding disorder, those prone to scarring; and if skin is currently infected or inflamed.
Precautions
Tell your doctor if you are taking any medication. Some medications, like blood thinners, may increase the risk of complications.
Some people are allergic to bovine (cow) collagen. Opt for test injections. People with an allergy to chicken should not use hyaluronan-based fillers as these products are made from rooster combs.
Post-procedure care
- Avoid exposure to extreme cold or heat
- Don’t massage treated areas for six hours
- No strenuous physical activity for six hours
- Sleep with the head elevated for one night
— The writer is a dermatologist, National Skin Hospital, Panchkula
