Dra. Luísa Magalhães Ramos on “Você na TV” – Dermal Fillers
WHAT IS HYALURONIC ACID?
Our skin, while young, is characteristically smooth and elastic. It contains a lot of hyaluronic acid, which, amongst other functions in different parts of our body, fills the spaces between cells, favoring the regeneration of tissues and their hydration. While aging, Hyaluronic Acid decreases, decreasing skin hydration and elasticity too, which contributes to the surge of wrinkles and other signs of aging.
FOR WHOM ARE
DERMAL FILLERS INDICATED?
Dermal Fillers are meant for anyone, man or woman, who wants to delay or lessen the effects of aging or correct some deformities. It is also used by people who, despite not having wrinkles, want to improve the contour of the lips, cheeks, nose, chin, and other areas.
Hyaluronic Acid is indicated for:
- Filling grooves and wrinkles;
- Filling skin folds;
- Filling/Harmonizing lips and cheekbones;
- Restructuring nose and chin;
- Correcting small asymmetries and other alterations;
- Beautifying hands and neck.
HOW DO FACIAL FILLER TREATMENTS
WITH HYALURONIC ACID WORK?
Facial filler treatments use a compound with Hyaluronic Acid to fill wrinkles and grooves, to increase or restore lost volume, and to improve facial contour. Hyaluronic Acid, when injected into the skin, has the ability to pin water molecules to the treated area and to increase its volume, thus smoothing or eliminating evident skin alterations, such as grooves and wrinkles, allowing for an immediate, simple and discreet rejuvenation. It is also used to increase and/or change the contour of the lips, nose and cheekbones.
IN WHICH AREAS OF THE FACE
CAN HYALURONIC ACID BE APPLIED?
Hyaluronic Acid can be applied in the following areas: dark circles, cheekbones, nose, earlobes, nasolabial folds (“Chinese mustache”), lips, lip lines, chin, neck and chest. It can also be used to beautify the hands.
FACIAL FILLER TREATMENT PROCEDURE
WITH HYALURONIC ACID
The treatment with Hyaluronic Acid quick and simple, and the discomfort is minimal and brief.
Treatment can be performed at any time of the year. To maintain the results, you must perform the treatment once a year.
Preliminary skin cleansing.
If necessary, an anesthetic cream may be applied to minimize discomfort.
The Hyaluronic Acid is applied through injections in the area to be treated.
POST TREATMENT CARE
Facial filler treatments with Hyaluronic Acid do not require recovery time but it is important to take some precaution:
- Do not lower your head for the first 4 hours;
- Avoid direct sun exposure in the first 24 hours;
- Do not perform physical activity for 24 hours;
- Do not massage the treated area for the first 3 days.
WHAT RESULTS CAN I EXPECT AFTER
A DERMAL FILLER TREATMENT WITH HYALURONIC ACID??
The change is visible immediately after the treatment, but due to the swelling, the end result is only expected after approximately 15 days. Hyaluronic acid injections can provide the following results:
- Collagen production stimulation;
- More hydrated and radiant skin;
- More defined facial contours;
- Smoothed wrinkles and expression lines;
- Rejuvenated appearance.
DERMAL FILLER TREATMENT
WITH HYALURONIC ACID STEP-BY-STEP
ANESTHETIC CREAM
30 min prior to the treatment, the skin is cleaned and an anesthetic cream is applied (to the most sensitive areas).
MARKING THE PATIENT
The markings are made in the area where the Hyaluronic Acid will be applied.
FILLER ADMINISTRATION
Hyaluronic acid is administered at strategic points through injections.
MASSAGE
A gentle massage is provided, so that the Hyaluronic Acid is evenly dispersed and acquires the desired shape.
BENEFITS OF DERMAL FILLER TREATMENTS
WITH HYALURONIC ACID
- Rejuvenates and improves the appearance of the skin;
- Prevents and treats wrinkles and expression lines;
- Restores lost volume;
- Improves facial contours;
- Is minimally invasive;
- Requires no anesthesia;
- Requires no recovery time;
- Offers an almost immediate result;
- Is safe, fast and effective;
- Has reversible effects.
Specialist Doctors
About
Dra. Catarina Duarte
Portuguese Medical Association – registration number 51027, specialising in Otorhinolaryngology.
With a Master’s degree in Medicine from the Faculty of Medicine in Lisbon, Dr. Catarina went on to specialise in Otorhinolaryngology at the Santa Maria Hospital in Lisbon, having joined the teaching staff of the Otorhinolaryngology chair as a free assistant. Her training in otorhinolaryngology had a strong component in head and neck surgery, but also in rhinology, otology and paediatric laryngology.
About
Dr. Joana Alves Barbosa / Dermatologist
PORTUGUESE MEDICAL ASSOCIATION: n.º 64457, Dermatologist.
Master in Medicine from the Abel Salazar Biomedical Sciences Institute.
She completed her medical internship in Dermatovenereology at the Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Lisboa Central, having complemented her training in Dermatology with internships in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the Centro Hospitalar de Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho and in Cutaneous Oncology at the IPO do Porto.
Her main areas of interest include General, Surgical and Aesthetic Dermatology.
About
Dr. Mafalda Cleto / Aesthetic Medicine
Member of The Portuguese Medical Association – Nr. 52818
Has a master’s in medicine by the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Lisbon with a specialization in family medicine. She specialized in aesthetic and anti-aging medicine at the Complutense University of Madrid.
Throughout her training, she took several national and international courses in the field of aesthetic medicine, namely training in different types of facial fillers, application of toxin, application of peels and she took several courses on corpses in order to deepen her knowledge on facial anatomy.
In the area of aesthetic medicine, she performs numerous procedures, such as the application of toxin and fillers, both for correcting wrinkles and for facial harmonization (filling in dark circles, cheekbones, lips, jaw, chin and rhinomodelation), usage of biostimulators to improve skin quality and flaccidity; thread lifts and biostimulation; techniques that aim to improve the texture and quality of the skin, such as chemical peel, microneedling, facial and body mesotherapy, and sclerotherapy.
In her view, aesthetic medicine encompasses a set of minimally invasive medical procedures, which should be used to enhance the natural beauty of each individual and help delay the signs of aging.
She found her vocation in aesthetic medicine as it allows her to help people regain their self-esteem and increase their physical and psychological well-being.
About
Dr. Ana Mendes Gomes / Aesthetic Medicine
Member of The Portuguese Medical Association – Nr. 55658
Has a master’s degree in medicine by the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Masaryk in Brno and later completed a master’s degree in aesthetic medicine and anti-aging at the Complutense University of Madrid. She is a specialist in family medicine by the Regional Health Administration of the Lisbon Area.
Throughout her career, she undertook specific training in minimally invasive procedures, namely in the application of Toxin, facial fillers, thread lifts and facial mesotherapy, thus differentiating herself in the treatment and prevention of skin aging.
FAQ about
Dermal Fillers
IS THE USE OF HYALURONIC ACID SAFE?
The treatment of wrinkles with hyaluronic acid is minimally invasive and has a very low rate of complications. As it is a substance naturally found in our body, the risk of rejection is minimal. However, for the treatment to be carried out safely, you must choose an accredited clinic and a doctor specialized in aesthetic medicine, with several years of experience in performing this type of treatment.
WHAT IS THE PRICE FOR A DERMAL FILLER TREATMENT WITH HYALURONIC ACID IN LISBON?
The price of the treatment will depend on the areas to be treated and the quantity of filler needed. During the medical appointment, a treatment plan will be presented with the respective cost for your specific case. However, in each session, there is a price reduction after the first ampoule.
IS THE TREATMENT PAINFUL?
Treatment with Hyaluronic Acid is a quick and almost always painless procedure. In more sensitive areas, a local anesthetic cream may be applied.
HOW QUICKLY WILL I NOTICE FILLER RESULTS AND HOW LONG DO THEY LAST?
The results are visible immediately after treatment. However, due to the swelling, the end result is only to be expected after 15 days.
HOW LONG DO THE RESULTS LAST?
Depending on where in the face the treatment is performed, the effects last between 9 and 12 months. Usually, as more treatments are performed, the time between them tends to increase, as the levels of Hyaluronic Acid present in the skin improve.
WILL I HAVE AN ARTIFICIAL APPEARANCE?
One of the most common myths around the treatment of wrinkles with Hyaluronic Acid is the artificial result. With the use of appropriate techniques and quantity of the product, it is possible to reduce wrinkles, change the contour and improve the appearance of the skin, without creating an artificial look. The training and experience of the doctor who performs the treatment is essential to obtain natural and discreet results.
FROM WHAT AGE CAN I UNDERGO A HYALURONIC ACID TREATMENT?
There is no specific age to start being treated with Hyaluronic Acid. People under 30 increasingly resort to this type of treatment to prevent skin aging. However, this is not the only use for Hyaluronic Acid, as it is increasingly sought after by men and women of any age to improve the facial contour, namely to increase in the volume of lips and cheekbones, to disguise deep dark circles, to reshape the nose and chin and to correct minor asymmetries/imperfections.
CAN MEN ALSO BENEFIT FROM HYALURONIC ACID TREATMENTS?
Wrinkle treatment with Hyaluronic Acid is also sought after by men. Men are increasingly concerned with their image, not only to improve their self-esteem, but also to meet the demands of the job market, which increasingly values the appearance of professionals.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HYALURONIC ACID AND TOXIN?
Quite often, doubts arise concerning the difference between Hyaluronic Acid and Toxin. The main difference is that Hyaluronic Acid improves the contour and increases the volume, occupying a space where there might or might not be a groove (example: increasing the volume of lips, cheekbones and dark circles). The toxin, on the other hand, does not increase the volume, it just relaxes the muscles in the area where it is applied, thus softening the wrinkles caused by muscle contraction (example: glabella lines, frown lines, and “crow’s feet”).
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS AND ADVANTAGES OF HYALURONIC ACID?
The treatments with Hyaluronic Acid allow evident and practically immediate results, without surgery and without recovery time. The application of Hyaluronic Acid is fast and effective, it is approved by the FDA, and the result is completely reversible. As it is a naturally occurring substance within the human body, it provides a natural result and the risk of rejection is minimal.
WHAT SIDE EFFECTS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH HYALURONIC ACID TREATMENT?
Treatment with Hyaluronic Acid is generally well tolerated and complications are rare. However, after treatment, swelling, redness and bruising may appear. These effects are temporary and disappear quickly.
WHAT ARE THE CONTRAINDICATIONS OF HYALURONIC ACID?
Hyaluronic acid treatment is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women. Specific health conditions must be evaluated by the doctor specialized in aesthetic medicine.
