Facial rejuvenation and dermal fillers

The Ageing Process
A young person’s skin contains large amounts of a compound called collagen which is responsible for keeping the skin looking smooth and healthy. Young skin also has natural deposits of fat on the face that smoothen out lines and grooves. As a person grows older, the skin’s ability to produce collagen markedly decreases, and fat deposits around the face are lost. The skin of the face thus looks wrinkled and old.

The wasting of the facial tissue is caused due to a syndrome called lipoatrophy in which the layer of fat underneath the skin called subcutaneous fat, is lost. The areas of the face where the loss of fat is more visible are the temple and the cheek.

Facial rejuvenation is performed by a number of skin care practitioners, who use non surgical methods. However, it is important that you choose a practitioner who is fully trained in performing injectable treatments. The skincare practitioner must have medical qualifications - he or she must be a doctor, dentist, surgeon or registered nurse. He or she must also have specialist training in administering dermal filler injections.

Avoid popular injection parties where patients are treated in a social setting. Even though these are non surgical procedures, the treatment must be done in hygienic and sterile surroundings.

Consultation
Your skin care practitioner must meet with you for consultation before your treatment. He must look into your health history, and discuss your needs and expectations. He must be able to give you details of the treatment, any side effects, risks involved, use of anesthesia, and other factors involved in your treatment. He should be able to tell you how realistic your expectations are. Ask how much the treatment will cost you, how long the effects of treatment will last, and ask your skin care practitioner to show you before and after photographs.

After the procedure
Before the treatment, your skin care practitioner will inform you about the kind of after care required. He may provide you with literature about the changes you can expect after the treatment, any precautions you must take, etc. You may also be given a check list to help you prepare yourself for any changes after the procedure, as well as an emergency phone number of the practitioner to call, if necessary.