Dermal Fillers – How Much is Too Much? Cosmetic Injectables

Dermal Fillers – How Much is Too Much?

Dermal fillers are one of the most important and prevalent treatments in the fight against aging.

The most common filler used in Australia is Hyaluronic Acid based dermal filler. It is FDA approved and consists of a naturally occurring substance present in the skin and cartilage.

Hyaluronic Acid filler is the safest and most predictable of all available products. It also has a reversing agent available if the treatment results are unsatisfactory.

Good vs Bad Results

When filler treatments are done correctly, you achieve a natural, refreshed look. You will look brighter, less tired and more youthful.

When incorrectly administered, the results can range from appearing unchanged through a range that could leave you looking unnatural and have people commenting that you “went too far”.

We use the term “pillow face” – the result of overfilling in areas, especially in the cheeks and under the eyes.

The outcome will appear unnatural, puffy and “plastic”. This is not the look or result you want to achieve!

Remember, good work will go undetected.

Dermal Fillers and Expected Outcomes

People often make the mistake of thinking that dermal fillers should completely diminish wrinkles and you should be left with a smooth, plump appearance. This is not a reasonable expectation.

Rather, dermal fillers will soften wrinkles, create structure and support, and enhance your natural features.

It is essential to remember they do not completely alter the facial structure to avoid disappointment.

Avoiding the Pitfalls of Overfilling

To avoid the dreaded “pillow face” and enhance your natural features, care should be taken to not to overfill your face.

Your appropriately qualified and skilled technician should have the experience to know the perfect combination of injections needed to achieve the best results for you. They will consider your bone structure, age, skin elasticity and more when assessing the position of the injections and the quantity of filler to use.

Always ensure that you are being treated by a qualified and experienced Doctor or Aesthetic Injector – request to see examples of their previous work in advance.

Your Facial Assessment and Mapping

Your dermal filler treatment should always begin with your physician completing a facial assessment and mapping.

Dr Watson will complete a detailed evaluation of the relevant areas you would like to target. He will then formulate a treatment plan to meet your aesthetic goals.

Pre “before” photos will be taken to compare them with “after” photos. This will give you a great perspective of the outcome and the treatment’s success.

Side note – If the treatment is done correctly, it will be subtle that sometimes it is hard to see results, so the photos will allow you to compare the difference.

Strategic points on your face will be marked to show you the appropriate injection sites. This procedure is called “mapping”.

Finding the Best Formula for Your Dermal Filler Treatment

A skilled treatment professional will assess and map your face and then formulate the best treatment plan for you and the results you hope for. This may involve a combination of treatment types, multiple appointments and several different approaches for an optimal outcome.

We frequently find that the most natural-looking results can be achieved by combining more than one type of filler. The type of filler selected will be determined by which area/s of the face is treated. There are many different brands of fillers within each category, and the products vary in how they should be used and the results they give.

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask!

Be sure to ask your physician to describe the different types of fillers available. Communication is the key to achieving realistic results that meet (or even exceed) your expectations.

Be well informed and set yourself up for success!

More Dermal Filler Does Not Mean Better

An important fact to remember with dermal fillers is more does not mean better. Only inject the necessary amount of filler into the treatment area. Using too much can lead to overfilling, and you end up joining the ranks of a growing number of disappointed “pillow face” victims.

At Define Laser, we pride ourselves on our patients not leaving our clinic looking like a different person!

Our preference is to treat conservatively. We suggest if you do want more filler, you can add it later, gradually building the volume over time. This will make your facial changes appear more gradually and naturally.

Our goal is not to change your appearance entirely but to keep you looking age-appropriate and youthful. We do this by simply creating a fresher version of yourself and not overfilling your face.