Dermal filler - plastering over the cracks

When you're got more lines crisscrossing your face than the national railway system has tracks - it's time to act. Does my vanity out way my unwillingness to come under the surgeons knife? Hell no. The pain and rehab involved with a full face-lift sends shivers down my spine just thinking about it.

The cheaper and less painful alternative is to plaster the cracks over with a dermal filler - or is it? Researching this article opened up a Pandora's box of the good the bad, and the downright ugly consequences of having dermal filler treatment.  

What are Dermal Fillers?

Dermal fillers also known as facial fillers or cosmetic injectables are made from either Hyaluronic-acid- or Calcium hydroxylapatite these substances are injected under the skin to smooth out lines and plump up sagging skin.

The Upside -

Dermal fillers last longer than Botox, anywhere from six to twelve months and in some cases even longer. They  have less risks than Botox, and are considered more effective. 

Dermal fillers can enhance and give the skin a more youthful appearance, they can't however, completely change your look.

Whilst cheaper than cosmetic surgery, the cost of dermal filler treatment is not as cheap as you'd think. Depending on the treatment you have the cost is about £200 upwards to several thousand pounds. There is not a lot of difference in cost between dermal filler and Botox. That said, on balance dermal filler does seem to be the better option, as the results last longer than Botox - which is only about three to four months. 

Actual treatment time is approximately between twenty and thirty minutes depending on the extent and areas treated.

The Downside -

The long term use of dermal fillers can lead to weakness of the muscles in the face, head and neck. 

If you are unlucky Vascular Occlusion can happen. This is when the filler is injected in or around an artery, causing blood flow to be reduced or even stopped. Result - the skin pales and starts to turn blue over a twenty four hours period. The condition is painful and if left untreated the skin may begin to die and turn black.  

Dermal fillers can be bought on line, and although one company I found advises that the fillers should be used only by licenced health care professionals after purchase - there can be no way the company can insure this happens: leading to all sorts of potential dangers.

When injected the substances used can cause allergic reactions such as swelling, redness and infections. If not injected correctly not only can you get swelling etc; side effects can include the death of skin cells and embolism leading to blindness. 

Repeated long term use of fillers can also lead to damage of the lymphatic system. 

Currently there are no government rules defining who can administer dermal fillers.

On 1st May 2022 the UK government announced it's intention requiring both Botox and dermal filler practitioners to be licenced. As yet a date has not been set when this legislation will come into force. 

So it is essential to read as much clinical advice as you can  before making a final decision on whether to go ahead with the treatment. 

The British Association of Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology  offers advice and help when deciding who to choose for your dermal filler treatment. 

As vanity hasn't quite got me in it's grip, I'm still debating whether to have dermal fillers or not - at the moment I think I'm more in the not mode than the have. 

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