Who is a Good Candidate for Dermal Fillers?

Dermal fillers are an excellent option for combatting the appearance of volume or fat loss in the face. Volume loss is an aspect of facial aging that involves the natural loss of fat in the face as we get older, which leaves us looking thinner, more tired, and with deeper fine lines and wrinkles. Dermal fillers themselves are injectable substances (ranging from human fat to collagen) that can be used to plump up then or sunken areas of the face, along with deep wrinkles and expression lines, as well as recessed or pitted scars. Most treatments can be done over a lunch break, and you can return to your normal day after the procedure. So who is a good candidate for a dermal filler treatment? There is no gender or age restriction, so you can be male or female of any age. The best candidates for this or any other cosmetic procedure are non-smokers with realistic expectations of the results. The reason non-smokers are excellent candidates is because their bodies tend to heal faster, and because the sucking and squinting motions you make when smoking will exacerbate fine lines and wrinkles and make the results less long-lasting. Good candidates for dermal fillers will have moderate to severe folds or wrinkles, or other problem areas that they do not want to correct with surgery (for example, under eye circles, sunken cheeks, etc.). The procedure is an excellent option for clients who have specific problem areas that do not extend to the rest of the face. For example, if you want to fill in nasolabial folds, but do not feel like they are extreme enough to warrant a face lift. Patients with a history of extreme allergies might not be good candidates for certain types of injectable fillers because they could lead to an allergic reaction. Your plastic surgeon will go over your medical history and allergen history to determine if there is an injectable option for you that wont lead to a reaction. If you have any questions or would like to schedule a consultation for dermal fillers, please call our Northern Virginia office at (703) 574-2588. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!  

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there an age or gender requirement for dermal filler treatment?

No. There is no age or gender restriction for dermal fillers. Men and women of any adult age can be candidates for treatment. The most important factors are the nature of the concern being addressed and the patient's overall health and medical history.

Why are non-smokers better candidates for dermal fillers?

Non-smokers tend to heal faster and their results last longer. The sucking motion of smoking and squinting against smoke both exacerbate fine lines and wrinkles, which can reduce the longevity of filler results. Smokers who wish to pursue fillers are encouraged to quit before treatment.

What types of concerns are dermal fillers best suited for?

Fillers work best for patients with moderate to severe nasolabial folds, under-eye hollowing, sunken cheeks, lip volume loss, pitted acne scars, or other isolated problem areas. They are ideal when a patient wants to address specific concerns without undergoing a full surgical facelift.

Can patients with allergies get dermal fillers?

Patients with a history of extreme allergies need to discuss their full allergen history with their surgeon before treatment, as certain injectable filler ingredients could trigger a reaction. Your surgeon will review your history and recommend a product that is safe for your individual situation.

When would surgery be a better choice than dermal fillers?

If a patient has widespread facial sagging, significant skin laxity, or concerns that extend throughout the face rather than in isolated areas, surgical options like a facelift or mini-facelift are likely to deliver more satisfying and lasting results than fillers alone.