How to Make Your Dermal Fillers Last Longer
Cosmetic injectables are some of the most popular minimally invasive aesthetic procedures for their versatility and effectiveness. Patients can improve various concerns, including fine lines and wrinkles, hollow areas of the face and thin lips, while creating a more plump, youthful appearance.
Dermal fillers typically contain hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring substance in joints and other tissues. Other fillers contain calcium hydroxyapatite that stimulates your own collagen production. While the body naturally produces this substance, the production of it eventually breaks down, contributing to many signs of aging.
What Should I Know About the Permanence of Dermal Fillers?
Dermal fillers are injectable treatments that help restore volume to the face, plumping thin contours and smoothing wrinkles and creases. While these treatments provide results that tend to last between one (HA) and two years (Ca-OH-apatite), they will fade. This is because your body naturally metabolizes the filler substance.
While every individual will have a different response to dermal fillers, and some patients will maintain their results for longer than others, there are good practices to help protect your results for as long as possible.
Below, we’ve compiled a list of helpful tips for making your dermal fillers last longer.
- Follow Aftercare Instructions
This might seem obvious, but following the instructions of your plastic surgeon or injection specialist is essential to maintaining results.
There is minimal downtime associated with cosmetic injectables, but you should still be careful with the treated area(s). Some patients experience bruising and swelling initially, so your specialist may provide you with ice to help.
Other aftercare instructions include:
- Avoid touching, massaging or picking the area
- Avoid alcohol, garlic, ginger and anti-inflamatory medication or strenuous exercise for the first 24 hours
- Avoid intense heat (sunbathing, tanning, saunas, hot tubs, or hot wax)
These instructions will vary depending on the area treated and the specific type of dermal filler used.
- Stay Hydrated
It may seem like drinking water is always the recommended solution, but it is necessary to keep your skin refreshed and nourished! Hydrated tissues go a long way in extending the results of dermal fillers — so drink up!
Keeping your skin moisturized and staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water can help the water absorption effect of hyaluronic-based fillers, which allows the product to maintain the plumping and smoothing qualities of the affected area.
- Minimize Stress in the Area
You may experience a build-up of filler that feels like a small bump in the initial hours after your treatment. Your specialist will advise you on how to massage these small lumps in the first few days.
However, it is recommended not to touch the areas treated by dermal fillers in other cases. This means no massaging, poking or prodding your lips, cheeks, chin or under eyes.
Over-massaging can cause the filler to break down in the body or become displaced. To maintain your dermal fillers, it’s best to leave the areas alone.
You may find it helpful to try sleeping on your back or side, depending on the area, to keep pressure off the fillers.
- Eat Healthy
This is always a good rule of thumb, but eating healthy becomes especially important in maintaining the longevity of your cosmetic injectables.
Eating processed foods and excess sugar can increase inflammation in your body, affecting how it processes the filler and your overall skin health.
- Refrain From Smoking
Nicotine constricts blood vessels and affects the body’s ability to heal, impacting your healing and increasing the risk of infection. Additionally, your fillers (especially lip fillers) may be affected by the repetitive motion of smoking, which can break down the filler faster.
6. Proper Skincare and SPF
Keeping the skin hydrated and protected from the sun is crucial to the longevity of your dermal fillers. UV rays can degrade hyaluronic acid, and excessive sun exposure can irritate your skin during the healing process.
If you are considering dermal fillers, investing in some good skin care and SPF is also a good idea to maintain your results.
7. Maintenance Touch-ups
With regular maintenance, your dermal fillers can be long lasting. Rather than waiting for the filler to fully deteriorate, making you start from scratch every time, your specialist can recommend the ideal timeframe for maintaining your results.
Your Cosmetic Injectable Specialist in Ottawa and Gatineau
Dr. Patricia Berbari is a board-certified plastic surgeon who oversees MedicSpa Gatineau and conducts every initial consultation for all procedures, including cosmetic injectable treatments.
At MediSpa Gatineau, we offer a wide range of dermal fillers for all your aesthetic concerns, including BELOTERO®, RADIESSE®, JUVÉDERM®, REVANESSE®, and saypha®.
Our dedicated and experienced staff takes each procedure seriously, providing specialized and compassionate care for patients in Ottawa, Gatineau, and the surrounding areas.
Interested in Learning More about Dermal Fillers and Cosmetic Injectables in Ottawa?
Our highly trained medical staff and injectable specialists are happy to answer any questions you have, and you will have the opportunity to have a customized consultation created by our board-certified plastic surgeon for aesthetic procedures.
Call us today at (819) 414-2200 to schedule an appointment, or fill out our online contact form for more information.