by Mia Valleskey | Feb 1, 2023 | Tips & Tricks
As time passes, we notice more visible signs of aging. Many of these signs can be attributed to volume loss in the skin. When facial tissue thins, we begin to see lines around our nose, mouth, and cheeks, and those lines can look hollow. Dermal fillers are one way to smooth lines and wrinkles by replacing lost volume in the skin, restoring a more youthful look to the face.
What Are Injectable Dermal Fillers?
Dermal fillers are injected beneath the skin to smooth lines and wrinkles, soften creases, enhance facial contours, and restore lost skin volume. The fillers are made of a gel-like substance, and different formulas are available. Over a million men and women choose facial rejuvenation through dermal fillers each year. The treatment can be cost-effective and help you look younger without the pain and downtime associated with surgery.
Things to Know About Dermal Fillers
If you’re considering dermal fillers, there are a few things you should understand before you go to your appointment. Here are five of those facts.
- They could be temporary. Dermal fillers typically last about six months. Sometimes, the effects can last longer. However, you should expect temporary results that are designed to put off any surgical intervention.
- Some are all-natural, and some are synthetic. Some fillers are derived from things naturally produced in the body, like hyaluronic acid and collagen. Other fillers are made from synthetic ingredients but are proven to be safe and highly effective.
- They are best used on the face. Many ask if injectable fillers can be used on other areas of the body to avoid cosmetic surgery. The FDA has not approved injectable fillers for use in other areas of the body. It would take much more filler for larger areas than for the face. The face has areas that are more easily targeted by the injectables.
- There is a low risk of side effects. Injectables are in a gel-like form, and they are placed just beneath the skin. There is a very low risk of side effects as the injectable works to restore skin volume and smooth out lines and wrinkles.
- Always choose someone qualified to do the injections. Be cautious when selecting your practitioner. You want to choose someone capable of doing the procedure. An inexperienced practitioner could place the injectable in the wrong place or within a blood vessel causing complications or unwanted results.
Schedule a Consultation Today
If you’re interested in dermal fillers and how they can help you look younger, contact Beauty & Body by Mia to learn what dermal fillers can do for you!
by Mia Valleskey | Jan 1, 2023 | Skin Care
Have you begun to notice the telltale signs of aging in your face caused by sun exposure? As we inch toward the New Year, why not consider treating yourself to a photo facial to begin improving the color and texture of your skin? If you’ve never heard of a photo facial, you are likely wondering what it is and how it works. This article will help you learn more about the process.
What Is a Photo Facial?
Photo facial is another name for intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy. It’s a treatment used to improve the color and texture of your skin without surgical intervention. Photo facials can undo the visible damage caused by exposure to the sun and could help red or splotchy skin caused by a medical condition. Photoaging (damage from sun exposure) is most noticeable on the face, hands, neck, and chest.
How Do Photo Facials Work?
During a photo facial, the practitioner uses a light-emitting tool that has been precisely calibrated to target specific skin issues or to rejuvenate the full face. The pulses of light emitted by this tool are absorbed by the red blood cells and melanin in the skin, generating heat. The heat mimics a minor injury but won’t cause any lasting damage. This device is made to activate the natural healing process of the skin without causing harm to delicate dermal tissue.
Photo facials shouldn’t cause infection, scarring, or other complications. When the skin begins to repair itself, it sheds the dull, damaged outer layer of the skin and begins to form soft, new skin. As the process continues, skin-firming proteins are created in abundance, diminishing the effects of collagen loss associated with aging. The light from the photo facial breaks down the dark pigmentation of freckles and age spots which creates more even skin color.
Things to Remember About Photo Facials
The treatment isn’t cheap, and insurance typically doesn’t cover cosmetic procedures. While photo facials can make your skin look younger, they won’t stop the aging process entirely. It also won’t treat the condition that caused your skin issues.
Final Thoughts
You might consider a photo facial when you want to mitigate the damage caused to your skin by the sun or a health condition. If you want to learn more about photo facials and how they can help you, consider scheduling a consultation with Beauty & Body by Mia. They can help you determine if the procedure is right for you.
by Mia Valleskey | Nov 15, 2022 | Skin Care
As you age, it’s normal to begin seeing the signs of getting older on your face. Often, we try to hide those fine lines and wrinkles by using makeup that doesn’t really do the trick. Those aren’t the only signs of aging, though. Sometimes, sagging skin becomes a problem, too.
Many people who begin to see the effects of aging on their faces decide to investigate cosmetic procedures. When considering a new solution to their aging dilemma, most people think of Botox, fillers, or facelifts. While many people use the terms interchangeably, some differences must be noted.
Dermal Fillers
Technically, a liquid facelift is a combination of various dermal fillers. The fillers add to the skin volume, lift tired skin slightly, and smooth out wrinkles. Dermal fillers are less invasive and risky than traditional surgical facelifts.
Botox
Botox is a good tool for working on the wrinkles that result from facial expressions. Botox relaxes the muscles in your face. As the muscles relax, so does your skin which smooths the wrinkles. Botox alone won’t give the final effects of a facelift, though.
Liquid Facelift
A liquid facelift combines a variety of dermal fillers. Dermal fillers are injected into those places that the client finds troublesome. Dermal fillers are products like Juvederm, Sculptra, and Radiesse.
Most dermal fillers act in the same way. Each brand has slight differences that you should thoroughly discuss with your doctor. Sometimes your doctor will suggest using fatty tissue from other places in your body (like your buttocks) to fill in your wrinkles. However, some patients object to that.
The fillers aren’t a permanent solution. Botox prolongs the effectiveness of the dermal fillers, but typically about six months after you have fillers, you will begin to notice changes. After a while, the wrinkles begin to appear again.
The Wax Doll Phenomenon
Liquid facelifts cause you to look younger and more rested. Usually. If a liquid facelift isn’t done correctly, you can begin to look like a wax doll. Follow these tips to try to avoid the wax doll look:
- Avoid silicone liquid or gel.
- Only use FDA-approved dermal fillers.
- Be realistic with your expectations.
- Only use one kind of procedure; don’t combine different ones.
- Try temporary fillers first to see if you like the results.
The Takeaway
Many people think that fillers and botox are the same thing. They often use both of those interchangeably with the term liquid facelift. However, dermal fillers are components of a liquid facelift, and botox can be used to prolong the effects. Beauty & Body by Mia can give you more information about whether you need Botox, dermal fillers, or a complete liquid facelift.
