Dermal fillers, popularly known as facial fillers, are undoubtedly the most popular non-surgical cosmetic procedure. One session generally takes 15 to 20 minutes and erases years off your face, making you look refreshed and youthful. There are different types of fillers available in the market: temporary, semi-permanent, and permanent.
It is common to get confused regarding all the different types and which option to go for. In this article, we will explore the difference between permanent and semi-permanent fillers and the pros and cons of each. Let’s get started:
What are Dermal Fillers?
First things first, let’s discuss what dermal fillers are. Dermal fillers are a simple injectable treatment that eliminates fine lines and wrinkles, adds volume to certain parts of your face, and gives you a youthful look. There are different kinds of fillers available in the market from all different brand names. The choice of fillers depends on your treatment goals and the surgeon’s preferred choice of fillers.
Types of Dermal Fillers
Let’s explore the key types of fillers:
Temporary Dermal Fillers
This one is hands down the most popular type of dermal filler. You have multiple options when it comes to temporary fillers: collagen fillers, calcium hydroxylapatite fillers, and hyaluronic acid fillers. Expect them to last anywhere from six months to one year based on the brand, number of injections, and placement site.
Semi-Permanent Dermal Fillers
These ones are more viscous than temporary fillers. That is the reason your body takes way longer to break it down. These are composed of a synthetic compound known as poly-L-lactic acid, which is mainly used to treat deeper laugh lines, marionette lines, wrinkles, and crows’ feet. Expect them to last anywhere from 12 to 18 months, with an occasional touch-up needed at times.
Permanent Dermal Fillers
Permanent fillers aren’t disposable, which essentially means our body won’t be able to break them down quickly. They are only used on areas where you have thick skin and typically last for five years and sometimes more.
Pros and Cons of Each Type of Filler
Let’s discuss the pros and cons of temporary and permanent fillers:
Temporary Dermal Fillers
Pros
- These aren’t permanent, so you can truly test out how fillers look on you and impact your body prior to committing to a more permanent option.
- If you don’t like the results, you don’t have to stick with them for your entire life as they will dissolve in a couple of months.
- The treatment is minimally invasive and super quick.
- The is no recovery time involved in the process.
- Temporary fillers have none to very limited side effects that don’t last past a couple of days.
Cons
- Well, they are temporary, so you need to get the treatment done more often to maintain the results.
- You might notice redness, slight swelling, and bruising on the incision site. Don’t worry as it will fade out in a couple of days.
- It might trigger an allergic reaction in some people for a couple of days post-treatment.
Permanent Dermal Fillers
Pros
- Permanent dermal fillers are permanent. Duhhh! So, you don’t need to rush into the practitioner’s office every 3 to 6 months.
- The treatment is super quick.
- It is a minimally invasive option to look youthful and rejuvenated.
Cons
- Permanent fillers have limited usage due to the viscosity and the body’s ability to absorb them.
- In case you don’t like the results, removal treatments are very complex and tough.
- There aren’t any guarantees when it comes to long-term results.
Which Type of Fillers is Right for You?
Well, there isn’t a straightforward answer to this question. It varies from person to person and the results you are looking for. For instance, an individual looking for a dip or volume loss in the nose post a surgical nose job can go with permanent fillers, and that would work great for them. Similarly, permanent fillers work amazingly well for skin divots and atrophic scarring. It is important to note that it isn’t recommended to mix temporary fillers with permanent filler injections as it can lead to higher infection risk and complications.
On the other hand, temporary fillers stimulate the skin’s own collagen production, which is imperative for elasticity and skin repair. The downtime is very minimal, and patients can fully recover within a week’s time frame. The side effects are very rare as well. If you don’t like the results, the filler can be easily removed without leading to any complications.
The key is to find an incredible injector who knows which filler will work for your particular needs. If you wish to , reach out to us and leave them down in the comments section below, and we will get back to you.
