Filler Treatments

Filler substances can be divided into three groups: temporary, long-lasting and permanent. Among temporary fillers, the most commonly used are fillers containing “hyaluronic acid”. Their duration ranges from 6 months to 2 years.

Long-lasting fillers include those containing calcium hydroxylapatite (Radiesse) and those containing poly-L-lactic acid (Sculptra). The duration of such fillers is around 2 years.

Permanent fillers are products containing plastic (Bioalcamid), methyl methacrylate (Artecoll) and liquid silicone. These fillers do not dissolve. However, their use is not recommended because they carry a high risk.

Hyaluronic acid is one of the proteins that make up the connective tissue located between the cells in the human body. This substance is produced and offered to consumers in different densities and with different durations. However, although the basic content is the same, in order to change their duration, hyaluronic acid polymers are linked with cross-links and different products are put on the market. During this process, the safety of the product may also change. Among the best-known hyaluronic acid brands are Juvederm, Surgiderm, Restylane and Teosyal.

Hyaluronic acid products are generally of five types:

• Pure hyaluronic acid products, which have no filling property but, when applied under the skin, moisturise the skin and make it fuller,
• Fine fillers applied to fine lines such as crow's feet and vertical lines on the lips,
• Medium-thickness fillers applied to the nasolabial lines, the marionette lines running down from the corners of the mouth and the frown lines between the eyebrows,
• Lip fillers developed for lip shaping,
• Deep and thick fillers applied just over the bones for purposes such as defining the cheekbones and enlarging the chin tip. Such fillers are also used for hand rejuvenation.

The thicker the fillers, the longer they last. The duration of deep fillers can extend to 2 years. Medium-thickness fillers generally last 9–12 months.

Filler procedures are simple, short and controlled interventions. They are performed in a clinic setting. Since they do not cause much swelling, they do not disrupt patients' daily lives. Being temporary is an advantage if the patient does not like the result of the procedure. Like any foreign body, hyaluronic acid fillers also carry risks, but their risks are much lower than those of other substances. This risk can be minimised by choosing reliable brands.

In the face, they are most often applied to the nasolabial lines, the vertical lines between the eyebrows, the sadness lines running down from the corners of the mouth (marionette lines) and the tear troughs under the eyes. The cheekbones and chin tip can be defined with deep fillers. Fine fillers are given to the crow's feet at the corners of the eyes and to the vertical smoker's lines on the lips. Pure hyaluronic acid, which has a moisturising property, can be applied to the whole face, the lip borders, the neck, the décolletage areas and the hands. Such treatments are often performed at the beginning of summer and help the skin stay moisturised throughout the summer. In hand rejuvenation procedures, the soft tissue loss in the hands is eliminated with deep fillers, and the quality of the skin on the back of the hand is improved with moisturising hyaluronic acid treatments.

Filler treatments are performed in clinic conditions. Beforehand, numbing creams are applied to the skin. For deep fillers and the lips, local anaesthesia can be given if necessary. Some newly developed filler products also contain drugs that numb the skin, and their application is less painful. Bruising may rarely occur. Generally, patients can continue their normal lives after the treatment.

Allergic reaction to hyaluronic acid is very rare. There are risks such as causing a foreign body reaction and infection, but correct application and the use of reliable brands minimise these risks. The most important problem is a poor aesthetic appearance resulting from incorrect application. Filler treatments, like all other aesthetic procedures, should be performed without exaggeration and should not lead to an unnatural appearance.

A light filler is a type of filler applied to areas where the skin is thin and there is darker skin colour in places, such as the under-eye area. In its content, a light filler contains hyaluronic acid, which moisturises the skin, together with complex mixtures of amino acids, which revitalise the skin, multivitamins and antioxidants, as well as metals that lighten the skin colour. For this reason, applying a light filler to the skin gives the skin radiance, liveliness and a youthful appearance.