Are Dermal Filler Injections Safe?

Beauty has changed its standards through generations. With society influencing the perception of beauty, women have been taught to compare themselves to others most of the time. Many have resorted to surgery, in the hopes of looking perfect but only ended up disfigured. While it’s never wrong to make an effort to look your best, there are certain technological advances which are purely safe for appearance enhancement and some that can distort and cause greater damage. Here, we will discuss what you should know about dermal filler injections.

What are Dermal Filler Injections?

Aging makes our skin lose its vitality and volume. Unlike Botox that relaxes the muscle under a wrinkle, dermal filler injections fill the lines and creases that need that “volume” with substances such as collagen, hyaluronic acid, calcium hydroxylapatite, and poly-L-lactic acid—all of which are safe and are absorbed by the body. It helps smoothen and create a fuller, more supple appearance for the cheeks, jaw lines, temples, smile lines, lips, and the back of the hands. It has a temporary effect and can be done several times, spaced appropriately as recommended by a licensed medical practitioner.

Benefits of Dermal Filler Injections

Dermal filler injections don’t require surgery, are non-invasive, and has little to no downtime. You will experience little to no pain at all as some fillers contain local anaesthetic. The procedure can be done only under 30 minutes, and the result is taking a few years off your skin! However, the look isn’t permanent and that’s why touch-ups are needed from time to time. The supple effect can last for 3 months to 2 years, depending on which kind of dermal filler injection is used. Also, the components of dermal fillers are substances naturally present in our bodies, that’s why it’s highly absorbable and metabolised.

Side Effects

The most common side effects are minimal swelling, bacterial infection, and filler shifting. Some have reported minimal swelling only, which are hardly obvious and resolves after 1 to 2 days. Crucial care must be taken for the first 24 hours after the treatment because even though the filler is injected in a sterile environment, there’s still a very slight chance that the skin can be contaminated with bacteria. Not to worry though, as infections could be treated with oral antibiotics. In the case wherein the filler shifts while it’s still soft, it can be corrected with a simple touch-up.

Precautions

It’s strongly advised that the patient should avoid strenuous activities for the first 3 days. Also, going to a steam room or sauna is not allowed for about 7 days. The patient should never carry anything that is above 10 kilograms, and as much as possible, relax. There’s no effect with human interactions, so patients can go back to work immediately and continue their daily activities, simply keeping in mind all those mentioned previously.

Everyone deserves healthy, younger-looking skin, and we have technology to thank for—for making it possible with simple and safe procedures. While dermal filler injections are considered naturally safe and approved by the US FDA and Singapore’s HSA, it’s very important that consultations and the procedure itself is administered only by qualified medical practitioners. Do your research and make sure that the clinics, the medical professionals, and the products they use are all real and licensed.