Houston’s destination for the most innovative Regenerative Medicine and Biologic Technology for the foot and ankle, with Dr. Vanessa Barrow, DPM.

Dr. Vanessa T. Barrow, DPM  | Podiatric Medicine & Surgery

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How Long Do Dermal Fillers Last?

Both time and gravity can definitely take their toll on your body. Fortunately, there are a number of quick and easy treatments that are capable of restoring this protective covering back to its former, youthful ways. While there are a variety of cosmetic treatments that can help enhance your appearance, they may also be used for other treatments that help enhance your daily life. Although other injectables may give you a boost of confidence by reducing the appearance of pesky signs of aging, they can also be used to provide you with an enhanced daily life. Dermal fillers are an injectable treatment option designed to recreate the look of youth and vitality when other non-invasive treatments don’t work. Best of all, this solution is FDA-approved as an injectable, anti-aging treatment, it contains no human DNA or animal by-products, and its results last a very long time.

What Is A Dermal Filler and How It Works

Lactic acid is a substance that your body naturally produces during or after extended periods of heavy exercise. Dermal fillers that contain polylactic acid are a safe, synthetic treatment that contain this chemical that has the power to activate expedited collagen production over time. This is great news for those who are just starting to see experience decreases in their natural collagen production. Expediting collagen production adds volume to the tissues in the treated area so that loose and sagging skin is tightened, and deep creases and areas with volume loss are filled in. Given that this product is ultimately intended to restore healthy collagen levels, it may take some time and patience to experience the best results.

Dermal fillers  with Polylactic Acid are categorized as a bio-activator, meaning that it is designed to stimulate and support existing processes within the body. In this case, dermal filler injections help people reduce areas of volume loss by restoring abundant production and supplies of collagen. This is important to remember when assessing your post-treatment results. With dermal filler injections, positive changes are often seen immediately after the last injection is complete. With a bio-activator  within dermal fillers, you will need to give your body plenty of time to react to the poly-l-lactic acid that the solution contains, and plenty of time to rebuild robust collagen stores. Although you might need to wait some time to enjoy optimal improvements across the treatment area, the results will be smooth, even and natural-looking. Ultimately, dermal fillers are designed to restore youthful features to the treatment area.

Understanding the Immediate Increases in Facial Fullness with Dermal Filler

One very important thing to know about this procedure is that it might create an instant and significant increase in fullness right after your treatment is complete. These changes, however, are typically short-lived. The dermal filler solution must be carefully diluted before insertion. The short-term fullness that many people experience immediately after their procedures is the result of the diluent that’s used during this portion of the treatment process. Once a person’s injections are finished, the diluent will be quickly broken down and removed from the body. As such, the immediate increase in fullness will invariably disappear, and within just a matter of days. Patients who don’t know what to expect with dermal filler are often disheartened to see their newly increased volume diminish. However, it is important to not be discouraged. The good news is that this is only the beginning of the process. Longer-lasting improvements can manifest once the body has the opportunity to respond to dermal fillers and can begin producing and storing more collagen on its own.

Using Dermal Fillers to Reverse the Natural Impacts of Aging

One unfortunate and inevitable part of the normal aging process is a gradual decrease in collagen production. Collagen is an important, skin-supporting substance that creates the look of fullness, elasticity and health that’s commonly associated with youth. As collagenesis declines and a person’s existing collagen stores begin to break down, the skin often starts to loosen, sag and crease. While most people immediately think about the effects of aging on the appearance, lack of collagen production can affect other areas of the body.

Dermal fillers effectively reduces implications of aging by encouraging the body to keep its collagen stores robust. During the very time of life when the skin starts visually aging, dermal fillers can give it a new and totally revitalized appearance. Most patients require multiple treatments to achieve the desired effects. For instance, the average person will require between three and four dermal filler treatment sessions. It is additionally necessary for those receiving dermal fillers to adhere to a stringent, aftercare routine. This includes massaging the treated area five times per day, five minutes at a time throughout the first five days that follow their injections. This is done to ensure that the solution is properly distributed and that the resulting increases in collagen production create a smooth and even finish. Dr. Barrow can help provide you with all of the pre and post-care instructions you need for efficient and healthy recovery.

Are You A Good Candidate For Dermal Fillers?

Dermal fillers are an excellent treatment for people who are experiencing volume loss as the result of the normal aging process. At our practice, we use it to reduce foot pain by treating areas – such as the foot pads – where a volume loss has made daily activities painful. It can be used to treat most adults, but a consultation with Dr. Barrow can help you determine if this is the right treatment for you.

Because Polylactic Acid-based dermal fillers are simply a synthetic version of an acid that the human body already produces, this can help reduce the possibility of reactions. There are some conditions that may disqualify you as a good candidate for this treatment option. However, most healthy adults could possibly benefit from this treatment. Scheduling a consultation appointment is always the best way to determine whether this is the right procedure for you.

Dermal Filler Results and the Nature and Quality of Your Skin

While dermal filler a very high rate of success, it is not guaranteed to work the same for all people. Each patient’s results will be largely determined by his or her age, the level of wear that the skin in the treated area has already sustained, and the individual’s ability to produce new collagen. Results will vary for each person and the severity of the condition treated. This same idea also applies to the number of treatments required for reaching a specific cosmetic goal. The more robust your natural collagen production already is; the less time that you’ll have to wait to experience impressive changes across the treatment area.

How Long Do Dermal Filler Injections Last?

Following a complete series of dermal filler treatments, you can look forward to results that last between two and three years. It is important to remember results will vary for each person, and proper maintenance can help achieve and maintain the best results. As increased collagen production gradually fills loose, hollow, and sagging areas in, the poly-l-lactic acid will begin to dissipate and full, healthy tissues will take its place. It is additionally important to note that this procedure entails very minimal downtime and no wound care. In fact, most people are able to return to work and other activities the day after their procedures.

What To Expect On The Day Of Your Dermal Filler Procedure

Like most cosmetic injectables, dermal filler allows for a fairly simple treatment process. This procedure starts with an analysis to determine which areas are most in need of increased volume. Next, areas lacking volume are marked and a mild, local anesthetic is administered. Finally, small amounts of the dermal filler solution are inserted into the skin and strategically massaged to ensure even distribution. Before leaving, you will be given instructions on how to perform your daily facial massages to promote smooth and natural-looking results.

The ideal dermal filler candidate has realistic expectations concerning the outcome of this treatment. Apart from the rapid and relatively short-lived volumizing effect of the diluent used in these procedures, no significant facial changes will occur for several months. Patients will need to wait for this bio-activator to encourage increased collagen production. The good news is that the collagen-enhancing abilities of this solution allow for natural-seeming and wholly inconspicuous results. With dermal fillers, you can begin to enjoy improved results over time, without undergoing a major and invasive, cosmetic treatment. Best of all, given that dermal fillers replenish lost hyaluronic acid and increases future collage production, providing you with enhanced comfort and an easier daily life.

Do you think you could benefit from dermal fillers to reduce daily foot pain? Contact us today at Sole Aesthetic! Dr. Barrow proudly serves you from Bellaire, TX, and she can help you determine the best treatment option for your condition. Schedule your consultation today and start your journey to having a pep back in your step.