A beginner’s guide to dermal fillers.

If you’ve recently noticed some changes in your skin—volume loss, fine lines and wrinkles, hollows and folds—you might be curious about how dermal filler can help minimize these telltale signs of aging. These quick and easy injectable treatments lead to long-lasting, natural-looking improvements with no surgery or downtime, but if you’ve never had a dermal filler treatment before, they might seem a bit mysterious. 

To ease your mind, Ottawa Plastic Surgery’s trusted injectables artist Christena McNab is addressing some common concerns she hears about dermal fillers. 

What would you say to someone who is interested in dermal filler treatments, but is nervous about taking the plunge?

Many patients are nervous the first time they visit our clinic for a dermal filler treatment. Usually, they’re worried about treatment outcomes. They’re afraid that they won’t look like themselves, or that they will look “overdone” and their friends and family will know they’ve had “work done”. 

At Ottawa Plastic Surgery, we take a conservative approach to treatment. During our initial consultation with a new patient, our aim is to provide information about the procedure they’re looking to receive, but also to understand their goals. We take a “baby steps” approach to dermal filler, which means we can take it slow and add more filler if we need to. Our goal is always to achieve natural-looking results so that patients still look like themselves, just more refreshed and less tired! 

Do dermal filler treatments hurt? 

I understand that anything involving a needle can be scary, but treatments really are quick and easy, usually lasting about 30 minutes. The dermal filler is gently injected into target areas using a very small needle, and most patients experience very little discomfort. Some fillers (such as BELOTERO®) even contain lidocaine for increased comfort. 

Will it look odd if I only get fillers once and don’t keep up with treatment? 

The dermal fillers that we use at Ottawa Plastic Surgery are made of hyaluronic acid (HA), which is naturally found in the skin, and they’re mainly used to add volume to an area of the face or to replace lost volume due to natural aging or weight loss. Results typically last 6 to 18 months, depending on the area that is treated, and once the dermal filler naturally breaks down, your skin will return to the state it was in before you were treated. Dermal filler does not cause the skin to stretch and sag, and in fact, research suggests that HA injections may stimulate collagen production, leading to fresher-looking skin in the long run. So, if you try dermal fillers and decide they’re not right for you, your skin won’t be negatively impacted, and we can work together to find the right treatment for your concerns. 

If you’re interested in learning more about dermal filler treatments at Ottawa Plastic Surgery, contact us to schedule a complimentary consultation today.