Before - After pictures
Information about wrinkle correction and lip augmentation
To smooth out moderate-to-severe wrinkles that appear on the face with ageing, improve face contour and augment narrow lips, an increasing number of injectable fillers have been developed in the last few years. The main thing they have in common is that they provide immediate, spectacular results, although the procedure where they are being used is simple, short it is carried out on an outpatient basis. In addition, patients can return to work immediately.
Cosmetic fillers can be injected to different areas of the face:
- vertical lines and wrinkles between the eyebrows, on the forehead
- wrinkles around the lateral coner of the eye (crow's feet) (only in selected cases)
- fine vertical wrinkles around the lower or upper lip at a more advanced age
- smoothing out deep acne or scarring
- lip augmentation
- augmentation of chin or zygomatic arch
Types of cosmetic fillers
One group of cosmetic dermal fillers provides temporary results. Their effect lasts about 6 to 12 months so repeated follow-up treatments are required to maintain the desired result.
These fillers include products that contain collagen, hyaluronic acid, derivates of lactic acid and dextrane, as well as dissolving poliacrylamid compounds. Effect of these substances lasts several months to five years. Collagen is organic; other materials are synthetic. Their advantage is that the probability of a permanent complication is negligible. However, they make it necessary to repeat treatments at certain intervals depending on the substance used.
They are used mostly for smoothing out more superficial wrinkles and lip augmentation.
Products with permanent effect (lasting several decades)
PMMA, HEMA, products with poliacrylamid content. They have a double effect: their active ingredient stimulates the formation of fibers in the surrounding tissues while being absorbed; and their non-absorbing component has a direct volume-increasing effect.
Since over-correction should be avoided with these materials, we prefer under-correction, completed with a follow-up treatment three months after the first intervention.
For products with permanent effects we also have to consider that aging causes the face to change continually; lines and wrinkles may change and injected cosmetic fillers may create an unattractive appearance after several decades.
Consequently, these materials are suggested for face contouring and filling up furrows on areas that do not move intensively
Technique
The above materials are being injected to the skin or subcutaneous layer of the targeted area by the help of a very fine needle. The affected area is anaesthesized with local anaesthetic plasters placed 20 to 30 minutes before treatment. Correction of deeper lines and lip augmentation can be performed with injection anaesthetic blocade. Length of treatment may vary from 10 to 40 minutes depending on the affected area. Results cannot be seen immediately, since swelling caused by the injection may be misleading, chiefly with lip augmentation. Swelling can take 2 or 3 days to disappear; enlarged size seen immediately after the treatment can often decrease by 30-40%.
After treatment side effects include moderate redness of the skin on the affected area, mild pain, sometimes changes of skin colour, and itching. These symptoms disappear quickly (usually within 12-48 hours) but moderate swelling of the treated area can last 2 to 3 days. Swelling can be more significant after lip augmentation treatment; with this procedure livid or yellowish discoloration may also occur due to bruising. They may take 1 to 2 weeks to disappear. Consequently, the final result of lip augmentation can be assessed only after about one week; during this period uneven lips may be experienced.
Risks
Any type of cosmetic fillers can cause allergic reactions with local swelling, redness, and tenderness. Similar symptoms may be caused by infection caused by the skin's own bacteria at the injection. With appropriate after-care both complications can be treated with good results. In some percent of the cases palpable nodules may form at the injection site, sometimes several years after the procedure. These become apparent infrequently, but may be interfering chiefly on lips; in severe cases they should be removed surgically. Herpes infections in a patient's medical history add the risk of newer infections occuring due to the injection. Taking Aspirin or agents with similar effect can interfere with blood clotting, resulting in haematoma formation at the injection site.
Depending on the individual's unique connective tissue characteristics, dissolving, non-permanent products may be absorbed by the body after the injection sooner than could be expected.
During post treatment period the following should be observed:
The affected area should be in rest for several days. Massages, cosmetic treatments or use of any other cosmetic products are forbidden. Extreme oral movements, laughing, too much talking, forced chewing should be avoided. Exposure to direct sunlight, solarium or extreme fluctuations of temperature before the disappearance of swelling and redness is also harmful.
The treatment is not recommended for those having:
- known allergy to the material used
- existing skin diseases or herpes infection
- severe allergic disorders
- autoimmune disorders
- taking drugs that interfere with blood clotting (Aspirin, Heparin, Syncumar, etc.)
