Fillers in cosmetic surgery practice denotes injectable substances used to increase volume in an area.
The most commonly used injectable filler is hyaluronic acid (Restylane, Perlane, Juvederm, Esthelis etc) which is a naturally occurring molecule which is abundant in human tissues also. Most fillers come in pre filled sterile syringes in volumes ranging from 0.8ml to 1.2 ml.
Other kinds of filler material include collagen, silicon, arclilamide, PMMA etc. One?s own fat cells can also be used as filler in any part of the body.
Applications for facial fillers:
Facial fillers are hugely popular for enhancing the lips thereby making lips fuller and pouty. The upper and lower lips can be treated with filler injections. Fillers are also used to smoothen some of the deep lines on the face associated with ageing- the most common areas being the lines by the side of the nose and mouth( naso labial lines) and frown lines.
Injectable Fillers can also be used to increase volume in areas like the cheeks, chin and also for under eye hollows.
Fillers especially fat cell transfer is useful in correcting volume depletion on the face associated with ageing. Volume restoration results in a more youthful rejuvenated look in such cases.
Duration of effects:
The safest and most commonly used filler injection is made of hyaluronic acid which is cultured using genetic engineering (Non Animal Source Hyaluronic Acid- NASHA). Hyaluronic acid is water soluble and broken down by the enzymes in our body over a period of time- this could range from 6 months to 12 months depending on the density and cross linking of molecules used. In fact, the ability of the body to absorb the hyaluronic acid increases its safety.
Permanent and semi permanent fillers like silicon and arclilamide carry a higher chance of adverse effects and so are not favored in our practice.
Adverse effects:
Fillers especially temporary fillers are considered very safe. The chance of an adverse outcome from a good quality hyaluronic acid injection is remote. Over or under correction can happen but can be easily corrected.
Artificial fillers and those with longer duration of stay in body can have a higher chance of adverse effects like granuloma formation or unevenness.
Advantages of injectable fillers-
The greatest advantage with a filler injection is that it is non surgical- no sedation, hospital stay etc? it is an office procedure and takes less than 30 minutes to complete.
Also the effect is instantaneous and lasts for months to a year. The injection is made with the finest needles and after numbing the area, so your discomfort is minimal.
Fat grafting as a natural filler option:
Harvesting and grafting of our own fat cells using a meticulous and gentle technique is gaining importance in cosmetic surgery. Also called autologous fat transplantation/ fat injection, the applications for this surgical option is varied- from lip plumping to facial volume replacement to butt augmentation and in corrective cosmetic surgery.
The procedure is by keyhole methods and leaves only tiny marks. Fat cells survive in the new environment and stay alive for many years even permanently.
Fat transfer is performed using a gentle fine technique and may require touch up procedure after 4-6 weeks. With increasing knowledge about fat cell physiology and survival, fat grafting is being performed with great confidence all over the world and by cosmetic surgeons in India.