Dermal Fillers: When Should I Start Using Them?
Dermal fillers are a great way to keep your face looking young and lively. They can help improve the appearance of deep wrinkles and lines while giving skin a more supple, naturally fuller appearance. But when is a good time to start incorporating dermal fillers into your skincare plan? Here’s a closer look at what happens to facial volume and what you can do about it.
What Causes a Loss in Facial Volume?
While there are many factors that contribute to a decline in facial volume—genetics, sun exposure, smoking, stress, gravity, and diet and exercise—the main culprit is the natural aging process. Over the years, your body starts to lose its ability to produce two critical components of voluminous, healthy skin: collagen and elastin.
Collagen is responsible for holding your skin together and elastin gives your skin the flexibility to return to normal after stretching. However, as you age, natural levels of these two critical dermal components diminish significantly. By your mid-20s, your body’s ability to produce collagen begins to decrease at a rate of one percent or more each year. Elastin production slows even earlier in life, and by middle age, your body creates very little, if any, new elastin. These changes result in the common signs of aging, such as wrinkles, fine lines, folds, loose and sagging skin, flat or hollowed features, thinning texture, and discoloration.
Your Skin Throughout the Years
Thirties
You probably don’t feel it, but your skin has already started the aging process. Below the surface, your collagen production has slowed, making it important to focus more on your skin during this decade—and it’s all about prevention. Many women opt for dermal fillers as a precautionary measure to ward off wrinkles and fine lines so they won’t have the chance to settle in later on. Being proactive in your 30s could help keep your skin youthful for years to come.
Forties
Wrinkles and lines are starting to take hold, especially nasolabial folds that extend from your nose to your mouth. Collagen levels are further depleted during your 40s and you may be losing volume in the mid face area and developing dark circles under the eyes. This age range is the perfect time to add a dermal filler to your skincare arsenal. Fill out flattened cheeks with Voluma® or Restylane Lyft®. Refyne®, Defyne® or Juvederm® can add volume and smooth out the deep creases that run from the nose to the mouth. Under eye hollows are remedied with R. Fine lines around the mouth are addressed with Restylane Silk® or Volbella®.
Fifties
Collagen and elastin production are minimal during your 50s. Wrinkles, lines, and folds that started in your 40s have become more pronounced and your skin may seem looser. Thinning lips and vertical lips lines may have appeared or worsened, especially if you are a smoker. During this decade you can restore volume by producing new collagen with Sculptra® and Radiesse®. Sagging skin can be subtly lifted with Restylane Lyft®, Defyne®, or Voluma®. Plump up thin lips and smooth out vertical lines around the mouth with Juvéderm Volbella, Restylane Silk® or Refyne®.
Dermal Fillers at Zuliani Facial Aesthetics
Dr. Zuliani may choose from one or more of the following dermal fillers to provide you with the best option for rejuvenating and restoring your youthful appearance.
Hyaluronic gel fillers are made from naturally occurring hyaluronic acid and include:
- Juvéderm for marionette lines, lip enhancement, and nasolabial folds, Volbella for non-surgical lip augmentation, Vollure™ for moderate to severe parentheses lines, and Voluma for restoring lost volume in the cheeks while subtly lifting.
- Restylane smooths moderate to severe wrinkles and folds and enhances under eyes, Restylane Refyne and Defyne are for softening nasolabial folds and marionette lines, and Restylane Lyft enhances and lifts the contours of the midface.
- Belotero integrates into your natural facial tissue for natural-looking results, treating under eye hallows and lip lines.
Radiesse is formulated with calcium hydroxylapatite to provide an immediate volumizing effect while stimulating your skin’s natural collagen production for long-lasting results.
Sculptra® is derived from Poly-L-Lactic Acid, which encourages your skin’s natural collagen production, restoring your facial structure and increasing volume over time.
Adding Botox to the Mix
Botox® is often associated with dermal fillers simply because it’s also an injectable treatment designed to counter the signs of aging in the face. However, Botox works differently, addressing the underlying muscle activity that’s responsible for the development of wrinkles and lines instead of plumping and smoothing out the treated area like dermal fillers do. Frown lines, crow’s feet, and forehead lines are all FDA-approved targets for Botox treatment. Many of Dr. Zuliani’s patients opt for a combination of Botox and dermal fillers for a remarkably younger appearance.
Full, Healthy Facial Features at Zuliani Facial Aesthetics
Dr. Giancarlo Zuliani and his dedicated team are ready to answer any of your questions and concerns about dermal fillers. Please contact us at our Bloomfield Hills office at 248.322.3362 to learn more or to request a consultation at Zuliani Facial Aesthetics today.
