In partnership with SA’s top medical aesthetic companies
Fillers, along with ‘Botox’, are probably our first introduction to non-surgical tweaks to our appearance. Here’s what you need to know
Most of us know someone who has had a little Botox or filler to smooth away lines and plump up our lips a bit. They’re usually the first option in tweaking our appearance because they’re pretty non-invasive, the results are immediate and if you don’t like what you see, they can be reversed immediately. But did you know that not all fillers are the same? They are specialised to give different results, for use in different areas, and some last longer than others.
Fillers
Fillers are used to add volume and restore shape to the face. They plump areas that have lost fat pads, such as the cheeks, lips and hollows under the eyes. And they are also used to fill in deep lines like nasolabial folds and marionette lines (the creases around your mouth).
In South Africa, temporary fillers are mostly used. They are made with hyaluronic acid (HA), a substance that occurs naturally in the body, which plumps and hydrates the skin and gives it a youthful appearance by absorbing a thousand times its own weight in water, giving it that all-important softness and fullness. These HA fillers are very safe and carry a low risk of side effects.
Each filler manufacturer uses its own patented version of HA. Depending on the area to be injected, different types of viscosity and thickness are used. Temporary fillers last a few months, and some last even up to two years.
- Galderma’s Restylane and Perlane have different uses. Restylane has a thinner consistency and is used for fine skin areas, such as lips and under-eye hollows. Perlane is three times thicker and is used to add volume to cheeks, chin and deep folds. Restylane lasts about a year, and Perlane up to 18 months.
- Each product in the JUVÉDERM collection of fillers from Allergan is made from a modified form of HA. VOLUMA XC is for deep injection in the cheek area, VOLLURE XC is for injection into the facial tissue for the correction of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds (such as nasolabial folds). JUVÉDERM Ultra XC and VOLBELLA XC are used for lip augmentation in the lips and surrounding area.
- Princess fillers, from Austria, contain non-animal origin HA. The gels are absolutely pure, controlled and extremely well accepted by the body. Their patented SMART technology results in a highly dense three-dimensional matrix that makes the product long lasting (about 12-18 months on average).
CAUTION:
As with anything aesthetic, it is essential that you consult a qualified medical aesthetician or Doctor who performs aesthetic treatments, with the adequate experience and training to help you realize all the potential benefits of non-surgical cosmetic enhancements.
Fillers should only ever be administered to the lower half of the face – never on the forehead.
To find out more about treatment that are an alternative to surgery, visit Skin Renewal on www.skinrenewal.co.za or contact 0861 SKIN SA (754 672).
Next we focus on male skincare and we will start with the basic skincare all men should be doing.
Take the quick Beyond Beauty Survey and you could win a R2 000 Skin Renewal voucher to spend in our online store, with free delivery within South Africa. T&Cs apply.