What Are Fillers?

When Are Fillers Used?

Facial fillers are cosmetic products for contouring that have no age or gender restrictions. In cosmetology, they are used for both correction and overall rejuvenation of the facial skin.

The most common requests from patients at LeoDerm Clinic include:

• lip fillers allow for increased volume, reshaping, and correction of asymmetry;
• cheek correction fillers are needed to enhance their volume for added definition;
• under-eye fillers are used to smooth wrinkles and reduce tear troughs;
• chin fillers help improve the facial oval and provide more definition.

Fillers are also injected into the nasolabial folds and other areas with deep wrinkles. They can be used to reduce atrophic scars, blemishes, and stretch marks on the body.

Types of Fillers

What are fillers, how are they classified, and do they differ in effect? Let’s discuss further.

These products are classified based on their duration of action and composition—criteria that influence their properties.

Depending on the duration of the effect, they can be categorized into three types:

1. Biodegradable or temporary fillers — products that gradually dissolve over time. They are made from organic substances that are well-tolerated by the body and do not cause allergic reactions.
2. Semi-permanent fillers — products with a slowed biodegradation rate. Their advantage is the prolonged effect without adverse side effects on the body.
3. Permanent or non-biodegradable fillers — products that contain synthetic components. These injections provide long-lasting results but can lead to side effects such as hardening, scarring, and migration. For this reason, they are not currently used in cosmetology.

The products are also classified based on their composition and active ingredient. This criterion is essential for the cosmetologist when choosing a filler to address specific concerns.

1. Hyaluronic acid fillers are completely safe, as they are considered organic; hyaluronic acid is synthesized by the body and is a component of the skin. Hyaluronic fillers are used to increase volume and eliminate wrinkles while additionally moisturizing the skin, restoring its firmness and healthy color.
2. Fillers based on poly-L-lactic acid have a dual action: they fill the area to provide volume and stimulate collagen synthesis. Because of this, they have a prolonged effect and effectively eliminate wrinkles.
3. Calcium hydroxyapatite-based fillers are biocompatible products that contain a synthetic analog of a component found in bone tissue. They work in two ways: immediately after injection, they fill voids, and after degradation, they are actively replaced by collagen fibers and stimulate the production of hyaluronic acid.
4. Hybrid fillers based on calcium hydroxyapatite and hyaluronic acid are used for creating lateral lifting and skin firming.

All of these fillers have a gel-like consistency but differ in density and viscosity. This criterion affects how the filler is used—specifically, the depth of injection into the skin, the area treated, and the final result.

How is the filler injection procedure performed?

Cosmetic fillers provide quick results and a prolonged effect. The specific type you need will be determined by the cosmetologist, taking into account the condition of your skin and the desired outcome. The duration of the procedure varies for each individual and depends on the extent of the work required. The classic injection scheme is as follows:

• assessment of the skin condition and discussion of the desired result;
• selection of the optimal product by the doctor;
• cleansing and disinfection, application of an anesthetic;
• injection of the product.

The cosmetologist employs various injection techniques. Fillers for nasolabial folds, scars, and stretch marks are injected deeper, while those for correcting superficial wrinkles are placed more superficially in the skin.

For several days afterward, it is essential to follow the cosmetologist’s recommendations to avoid local complications such as swelling and skin inflammation.

Results from the Use of Fillers

The first results after injection can be noticed immediately after the procedure, including the correction of asymmetry and an increase in volume. However, the maximum effect becomes apparent after several weeks, as collagen and hyaluronic acid synthesis begins to actively occur.

These beauty injections can yield various results:

• correction of the shape and volume of specific areas of the face;
• elimination of folds and creases;
• overall rejuvenation of the skin and improvement of its condition;
• reduction of excessive dryness and associated dermatological issues;
• activation of regeneration processes and prevention of aging.

Contraindications

Fillers are mostly organic products, which ensures good biocompatibility and minimizes the risks of allergic reactions and other side effects. However, these beauty injections also have contraindications, which the doctor discusses with the patient before the procedure begins. These include:

• individual intolerance to the components of the product;
• infectious and inflammatory processes in acute form;
• diabetes mellitus;
• pregnancy and lactation;
• autoimmune and endocrine diseases, blood disorders;
• tendency to form keloid scars;
• wounds and skin inflammation in the area where the procedure is to be performed.

If you want to learn more about fillers and the results from their application, schedule an appointment with the cosmetic doctors at the LeoDerm clinic in Lviv now. The clinic uses certified products, which, combined with the high qualifications of the cosmetic doctors, guarantees a good result regardless of the complexity of the clinical case.