There are a few important steps you should take to prepare yourself prior to undergoing a dermal filler procedure. Even though the procedure itself is quite simple and typically takes no longer than 15 to 30 minutes, there’s still some prep work involved on your part. Here are a few things you should to make sure you’re fully prepared.

Do Your Homework

The first step to preparing for any type of surgical or non-surgical cosmetic procedure is to guarantee that you fully understand the steps and potential risks involved. Consulting with a board-certified and experienced facial plastic surgeon is a great place to start. In fact, no credible cosmetic surgeon would ever perform even the simplest procedure without first scheduling an in-depth patient consultation. This gives you an opportunity to ask any pressing questions you may have about the procedure and get all of the information you need to decide whether or not you want to move forward.

Your facial plastic surgeon or desirial supplier will also take the time to examine your face and skin and also address any specific concerns you may have while also making specific recommendations based on your individual needs. The more you understand the nature of the procedure and what to expect, the better prepared you’ll be, so be sure to do your own research prior to the consultation. Remember, you’re not obligated to go through with it if you choose not to.

Dermal fillers and facial implants can be used in reconstructions for areas that may have been scarred or altered by trauma. This may be done in conjunction with minor or major plastic surgery. The other increasing use of dermal fillers is in cosmetic surgery where patients seek these treatments to improve their appearance.

They are mainly used for the removal or improvement of scars caused by acne, correction of facial (wrinkle) lines, and enhancement or filling in of certain specific facial features such as the lips or chin.

Of the implant types described above, the following are injectable augmentation products:

• Collagen (excluding Viscoderm 0.8)
• Hyaluronic acid
• Polymethyl-methacrylate (PMMA)
• Hydrophilic polyacrylamide gel
• Poly-L-lactic acid.

These products provide facial augmentation with less downtime. Collagen and hyaluronic acid provide only a temporary solution as they are reabsorbed into the body over time (3–12 months); top-up treatments are necessary to maintain the desired correction. PMMA and hydrophilic polyacrylamide gel are recent additions of injectable augmentation products and give more long-lasting results (months to years).

Are there any side effects from using facial implants?

All dermal fillers and facial implants currently used have some side effects that preclude them from being the ideal agent. Some of the side effects and complications that may occur include:

• Tenderness, bleeding and bruising
• Lumps, nodules, overcorrection, blue appearance from too superficial injection
• Allergic reactions
• Non-allergic inflammatory reactions eg granulomatous reactions weeks to years after injection: nonpainful lumps
• Numbness due to nerve palsy
• Vascular injury
• Infections: reactivation of herpes virus, staphylococcal infection, infectious granulomas and biofilms
• Movement or extrusion of implant.

1. dermal fillers