A recent survey conducted of U.S.-based facial reconstructive surgery professionals has found that nearly half of the individuals seeking cosmetic facial procedures are looking for dermal filler injections.
Dermal fillers, such as Juvederm and Restylane, are used to fill in areas of lost volume and can help to smooth out wrinkles, lines and creases.
“As we age, we lose the fat in our faces, which causes our skin to hang slack. Slack skin can cause wrinkles to develop. Fillers replace that lost volume and reduce the signs of aging,” said Dr. Christy Walker, a dual-board-certified cosmetic surgeon and gynecologist in Plano, Texas.
Fillers are most commonly used to smooth creases and wrinkles of the nasolabial folds near the nose and mouth or in the lips to give them a boost.
“Lips also lose volume as we age. Dermal fillers are an excellent choice to boost the lips compared to implants,” Walker said.
One reason fillers are increasing in popularity is that women are tired of using makeup to create contours of cheekbones on their faces – especially during the heat of the summer.
“Makeup in triple-digit temperatures does not last long. This is when dermal filler injections can help,” Walker said.
Over 90 percent of the surgeons surveyed reported that they used dermal fillers to restore volume to faces and fill in wrinkles.
Dermal fillers are so popular that they were the second most performed minimally invasive cosmetic procedure in 2017 with 2.69 million injections. This number reflects a 3 percent increase over 2016.
Dermal fillers are in demand because they have minimal downtime and minimal risk of side effects or complications, Walker said.
“Not only can dermal fillers give you long-lasting results, but they can also improve your skin in many instances,” she said.
This is because many brands of dermal fillers contain elements that support skin health, such as collagen or hyaluronic acid.
“These elements are found in the skin naturally and help sustain the skin from within by keeping it hydrated or encouraging collagen production. They improve the quality of the skin over time,” Walker said.
Dermal fillers are not the only popular injectable cosmetic procedure in the United States.
Botulinum toxin type A injections, sold under well-known names like Botox, Dysport and Xeomin, were the No. 1 minimally invasive cosmetic treatment performed in the United States in 2017. There were more than 72 million botulinum toxin type A injections performed last year, which is a 2 percent increase over 2016.
Commonly used on the brow or around the mouth and eyes, botulinum toxin type A temporarily paralyzes treated areas to prevent them from making expressions that cause wrinkles.
“Botulinum toxins are popular because they deliver results quickly and they last a long time,” Walker said.
On average, these temporary injections last between three and six months.
“During this time, many people see their wrinkles improve,” Walker said.
Another popular cosmetic injectable is Kybella, the only FDA-approved injectable used to dissolve unwanted fat in the chin area.
“While some people want to restore volume to their face, others want to take out volume in certain areas,” Walker said.
Kybella works by destroying unwanted fat cells in the area of treatment. Kybella is identical to deoxycholic acid, a naturally occurring substance found in the body that helps the body to absorb fat.
The results of Kybella are not seen as quickly as the results of dermal fillers or botulinum toxin injections.
“Most patients see the benefits of their Kybella injections after four to six treatments,” Walker said.
For more information or to make an appointment, call Dr. Walker’s office at 972-696-2963.
