Permanent/Semi-Permanent Dermal Fillers
We all want to grow old as gracefully as possible, with a flawless complexion that leaves others guessing at our true age. As the years go by, achieving this appearance takes a little professional help.
Advancements in cosmetic medicine have come a long way in recent years, and today you have more anti-aging options than ever. Permanent dermal fillers are increasingly sought-after among people who want to look younger without any surgery, stitches, or scarring. Because of the popularity of fillers, there are now many different options on the market, and their results last longer than ever before.
Two of our favorite products in this category are Bellafill® and Sculptra®. These are considered “permanent” because, unlike other dermal fillers like Juvederm®, the body takes far longer to break them down. Getting permanent dermal fillers Bellafill and Sculptra is a decision with long-term effects.
What Is Bellafill?
Acne scars are incredibly frustrating and notoriously difficult to treat. Bellafill is the only long-term filler that has received FDA approval to treat acne scars. The injections are a minimally invasive, no-downtime way to improve the look of small, shallow scars, as well as deeper, rolling scars. Bellafill is also an excellent option for treating the smile lines that form parentheses around your mouth.
As with other dermal fillers, Dr. Kabiri can inject Bellafill into your acne scars or nasolabial folds with a small, fine needle, filling the depressions and making lines appear less prominent. Bellafill differs from similar fillers in its formulation. Rather than using hyaluronic acid as its primary ingredient, it is a mix of collagen and a biocompatible material called polymethyl methacrylate, or PMMA.
Compared with other in-demand fillers, Bellafill can provide longer-lasting results – up to five years or longer, in many cases. The collagen in the product provides an immediate lifting, volumizing effect you’ll notice right away. A support structure is created enabling your natural collagen production, resulting in long-term smoothness and firmer skin. In the case of both scars and wrinkles, new collagen will grow around these flaws to lift them and make them appear less prominent.
What Is Sculptra?
Sculptra is a volumizing filler. When you have it injected deep in the dermal layer, it reinforces your skin’s structure and helps boost new collagen production. Sculptra can treat:
Smile lines
Marionette lines
Nasolabial folds
Chin wrinkles
Volume loss in areas such as cheeks and temples
There are two primary things to remember if you are considering what makes Sculptra different from other volumizing fillers such as Juvéderm® Voluma XC. First, Sculptra is a semi-permanent filler. Unlike with hyaluronic acid-based fillers, the results of Sculptra are irreversible. In the unlikely event that you are unhappy with any aspect of your appearance after getting Sculptra, you will need to wait for your body to absorb it gradually over the next six months.
Sculptra’s formula relies on poly-L-lactic acid, or PLLA, a synthetic gel comprised of the same lactic acid that occurs naturally in the human body. It’s much like the material used to create dissolvable stitches. Once injected, PLLA gradually jump-starts collagen production that is considerable enough to re-contour your face, fill in wrinkles, and make your cheeks appear more defined and lifted.
Second, Sculptra provides some of the longest-lasting results achievable with fillers today, but you will need to be patient. Sculptra takes several weeks before you will be able to see the volumizing effects of new collagen filling and lifting targeted areas.
Frequently Asked Questions About Permanent Fillers
The world of cosmetic injectables might initially seem overwhelming if you are just starting your research into these products. With that in mind, here are answers to some of your most pressing questions about Bellafill and Sculptra.
Both Bellafill and Sculptra have received FDA approval for cosmetic use, which means they have passed a series of rigorous clinical trials to ensure their safety and effectiveness for all skin types and tones. As long as you are not pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking blood thinners, you will probably be a good candidate for these two fillers. If you have never used these products before and want to ensure you won’t have any type of allergic reaction, you can ask Dr. Kabiri to do a skin test first.
Injections with fillers are a quick, relatively painless in-office procedure. Dr. Kabiri will first create an injection plan for each facial problem area you are concerned about, then inject Sculptra or Bellafill accordingly using a small, fine needle. If you like, you can return to your regular daily schedule immediately after receiving your injections.
The most common side effects of injectable fillers include temporary redness, tenderness, swelling, itching, mild discoloration, and bruising at the injection site. You can apply ice packs to alleviate these issues, and they should resolve on their own within a week or two of your treatment.
Yes, you can. For example, if your goal is to look younger overall, you may wish to add neuromodulators like Botox®, Xeomin®, or Dysport® to your injectable treatment plan. Because these products can minimize the appearance of wrinkles around the eye and eyebrow area, using them alongside fillers is an excellent way to achieve all-around anti-aging benefits with no downtime for recovery.
When you are using cosmetic injectables, you not only want to feel confident that your results will look great, but you also don’t ever want to worry about your safety. That’s why you should always seek an injector who has achieved board certification. You might be intimidated at the words “permanent” and “irreversible” used to describe these fillers, but under the care of an experienced provider, you will love your long-lasting results.
Explore More About Permanent Fillers in West Vancouver
If you’re ready to learn more about Bellafill and Sculptra and whether these treatments would help you achieve your cosmetic goals, contact us today at 604-925-1301 to set up a consultation with Dr. Kabiri. As a board-certified dermatologist and family physician, she is passionate about using her skills to help patients enjoy some of the most advanced minimally invasive cosmetic procedures available today. Get ready to experience a high standard of patient care at our state-of-the-art West Vancouver clinic.