Best Health – August-September 2019

24 AUGUST | SEPTEMBER 2019 best health besthealthmag.ca

BEST ADVICE

When it comes to dermal fillers,

many people have misconcep-

tions and fears about these cos-

metic treatments. They think

fillers are just for filling lips and

always create those huge,

dreaded “trout lips.” Educating

patients and gaining their trust

is important in a personal con-

sultation. Here’s what you need

to know.

WHAT ARE DERMAL

FILLERS?

Dermal fillers are medical prod-

ucts that are injected into the tis-

sue to fill lost volume and enhance

features. There are many areas of

the face that can be injected with

dermal fillers for aesthetic

enhancement. The most common

areas to treat are the lips, cheeks

and nasolabial folds, as well as

under the eyes. There are various

types and brands of dermal fillers

available in Canada. The most

popular are Juvederm and

Restylane, which are made of hyal-

uronic acid, a natural starch/sugar

that makes up our tissue. They are

made in a lab from non-animal

products and have a high safety

profile when injected properly.

Hyaluronic acid fillers are tempo-

However, the majority of people

prefer a more natural appearance.

When they see these exaggerated

features, they rightly become fear-

ful of dermal fillers. Rest assured,

those beautiful, natural results are

not only possible but also expected

for many experienced cosmetic

physicians. Choose the provider

that you feel will respect your pref-

erences.

WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW

BEFORE TREATMENT?

Regulations for cosmetic injec-

tions vary from province to prov-

ince. Ensure that you have had a

thorough consultation and are

comfortable with your treatment

provider. Choose one who meets all

the requirements in your jurisdic-

tion. Although they’re rare, compli-

cations can occur and be treated by

a qualified physician who has the

knowledge, expertise and thera-

peutic medications to employ.

Avoid having injectable treatments

done at a Botox party or non-medi-

cal facility. Choosing the cheapest

place or injector may not be the

wisest decision. Costs vary, but

they are often ref lective of the level

of service and the quality of treat-

ment provided, so buyer beware. bh

rary and last anywhere from nine

to 24 months, depending on the

filler used and where and how they

are injected.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS

OF DERMAL FILLERS?

Fillers can help people look less

saggy, less tired and less drawn

without any surgical intervention.

It can make them look brighter,

fresher and more vibrant. When

dermal fillers are injected well,

they look and feel very natural.

Women enjoy their rejuvenated

appearance with zero downtime,

so they don’t have to tell anyone

that they had a cosmetic treat-

ment.

WHY DO SOME PEOPLE

LOOK SCARY AFTER

FILLER TREATMENTS?

Unfortunately, sometimes a patient

or injector chooses to go beyond a

person’s natural contours so much

that it looks unnatural, distorted or

distracting. Some trends and fads

may be the culprits in these overex-

aggerated features, such as huge

lips and overfilled cheeks. Hyal-

uronic acid fillers are temporary

and even reversible, so there may

be little discretion for some people

to follow these trends because the

results are not permanent.

Can you shed

some light on

dermal fillers?

DR. DIANE WONG

is a cosmetic physician and

owner of Glow Medi Spa,

glowmedispa.ca IS

TO

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