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Facial Fillers
The passing of time and aging are the two things that one cannot escape. In many cases, aging brings good things: experience and wisdom among others. There are, however, some side-effects that we may occasionally resent: our body is starting to betray us, we are more susceptible to (some) illnesses and aesthetically, most of us don't look as good as we did when we were young. It is a sad story that we now live in a world where image is everything and we have to go to great lengths to keep our vitality and looks. But the world has kept up with those standards and scientists have invented various ways to keep us young.
What are Facial Fillers?
The term refers to substances that are being injected, usually under the skin - which create the temporary disappearance or alleviation of wrinkles, making our skin and face look considerably younger. The way this is done is different based on the substance that is actually used. Here are some examples of facial fillers and the way they work:
- The most commonly known facial filler is Botox, which is a substance that reduces the number of wrinkles by blocking muscle movements. Since wrinkles are usually created by the activities of the face (laughing, speaking, etc.), by restricting this activity, Botox manages to create the illusion of youth.
- Another well-known name is Collagen - made from cow skin - which on top of filling in the wrinkles and lines on the face can also be used to fix scars.
- ArteColl, also known as ArteFill, is an injectable substance that fills the wrinkles, leaving the impression of a smooth skin. While it was the first substance to be used for this purpose, it is not universally approved: in the United States it can only be used for nasolabial folds correction.
- Juvederm is a substance that increases the volume and hydration level of the skin. It is very efficient in the case of moderate to severe wrinkles.
- Restylane which, like Juvederm, is derived from hyaluronic acid works in a similar way by adding volume to the skin and therefore successfully filling the wrinkles. It is usually used for the small wrinkles around the eyes and the mouth.
- Occasionally doctors can use one's own fat to fill in the wrinkles. The fat is extracted from another part of the body - like the thighs or abdomen and injected into the face, smoothing the skin and creating more volume.
A Few Warnings in Regards to Facial Fillers
While the temporary results of applying facial fillers are quite encouraging, this is all they are: temporary. Long-term, facial fillers are not effective and only continuous treatment will maintain the results.
While there are no serious side-effects, there may be cases of allergies, bruises in the injected spots, redness, numbness (especially in the case of Botox), occasional pain and swelling. In some cases, lumps can occur. Some doctors recommend abstaining from restraining activities in the day following the procedure. Before undergoing the injecting procedure, you may have to test your skin for allergies and other possible reactions, in an attempt to minimise the complication risk.
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