Common rules when choosing dermal filler

Whether it’s your business in this ever-growing field of dermal fillers or it's just for personal use, there are basics one should get acquainted with when it comes to dermal fillers.

The most commonly injected fillers are HA (hyaluronic acid or hyaluronan) dermal fillers.

To help the consumers, patients, and business owners in this field score a win-win situation and avoid disasters or unwanted consequences for health and appearance, here are some basics about HA fillers.

When choosing an appropriate filler for the medical praxis or yourself, the doctors and users are trying to find out answers to the following questions:

(1) origin of dermal fillers - where is this filler produced and where is it sold?

(2) composition of the HA filler - what is actually inside (chemistry of the biomaterial) and how much hyaluron (HA, hyaluronic acid) is in there?

(3) performance of fillers - what happens after injections, and how long do the effects last?

The doctors pay attention to this and read the pieces of information in the instructions for use from the manufacturers. But everyone who undergoes these treatments should also be aware and know it. Patients and end-consumers need to find out what they pay for and get.

Think about it - you know what you had or ordered for lunch, right? Why wouldn´t you know what was injected in your face?

Taking a few minutes to read about this is a good investment.

How and where to find the answers...

(1) Origin of dermal fillers

This question should have a simple answer. Does it?

The name of the manufacturing company (together with the address and headquarters) is given on the box and you can read more on their web page.

While it sounds easy for the controlled markets (such are those under FDA and EU regulations), there are also parts of the world (where people go for medical tourism) that are not under those regulations.

Before undergoing treatment with HA fillers in any medical praxis, do your own research.

Find out the name of the filler that will be injected (the name of the brand), who is the manufacturer, and visit their web page.

Do your part to avoid ending up with a fake or expired product in your skin.

(2) Composition of the HA filler

The important point with the composition of the HA filler is the amount of HA in it.

Do you know how much HA your filler has?

If you do, great! Congratulations!

If you don´t, let’s go and find out.

The amount of HA can vary from 0,6% to 2,4% (so four-time difference!).

This information is given on the box and written in the instruction for use.

It defines the filler and sets its price on the market.

The practitioner knows this, but it is also crucial information for the patients.

Why?

Because you are actually paying for that amount of hyaluronic acid (HA, hyaluronan).

The less of it, the cheaper the filler.

The more of it, the more expensive the filler.

Again, do your homework. It is like going shopping, comparing prices and the quality, and making choices.

Most HA fillers have 2% HA, but this can differ, so make sure.

(3) Performance of fillers

What happens after injections?

For first-time users, this is something to focus on. The long-time users are already experts and know what is coming their way.

The number of side effects that potentially follow and for how long they would stick around is a big issue. The practitioner gives a good introduction and explains do´s and don´t before and after injections. Everything that could go wrong is also explained in the instruction for use, just like it is for any other medication or medical device. The most common side effects are swelling and pain, named transient because they should go away in a few days.

The severe side effects and their occurrence are as well given in the instruction for use and for example in the FDA database. Manufacturers are obligated to follow the performance of their fillers on the market and report back.

How long do the effects of the filler will last?

This is the most difficult question.

The predicted time by the manufacturer and from clinical studies is marketed in a very positive way. Depending on the brand claims go from several months, some even doing long-lasting studies over one year or beyond. This information is the starting point to give you some insight into what to expect from your filler. Because we are all different individuals with different lifestyles and physiology, you will find out for yourself.

The take-home message is to treat your dermal filler like any other product or service you are buying.

Informing and reading about it and even making discussions about it in your little friend’s circle is a good start.