Injections of dermal fillers have transformed the way we age. Delivering near-immediate results, they replace volume loss in lips, cheeks, and hallows near the temples, and smooth facial lines that are etched around the nasolabial folds, mouth and jawline (often referred to as marionette lines).
Considered safe and effective, these non-invasive facial rejuvenation treatments have revolutionized the beauty industry, but they are often accompanied by unwanted temporary imperfections and irritation. It can take days, even weeks, to see improvement. This is often the #1 deterrent for people who are considering dermal fillers. And it’s what inspired us to create Viktor Michael, a Recovery Care Collection that is formulated exclusively to minimize the appearance of these imperfections, to reduce downtime, and to promote the long-term radiance of skin throughout the injection cycle, from pre-treatment through post-injection and maintenance.
Our products seek to ‘empower your beautiful’, whatever that means to you. If softer lines, smoother contours and more voluminous features are desired, the fear of side effects should not stop you.
Here’s what you need to know before you book your first filler treatment:
Material Matters
There are many manufacturers of facial fillers, and each formulate their product a bit differently, using either synthetic or naturally occurring ingredients to create the look you’re trying to achieve. From natural looking volume to va-va-voom voluptuousness, dermal fillers can be injected into the lines, folds, and tissues of the face to restore the facial fullness that decreases with age.
Fillers are made of the following substances:
Hyaluronic acid (HA)
A gel-like substance that is naturally found in the body and in nature, Hyaluronic acid is a very common skincare ingredient that is known for its ability to retain moisture and plump the skin, adding volume to places like the cheeks and smoothing out wrinkles, especially around the eyes, lips, and forehead. Brands like Juvéderm and Restylane use HA in their dermal fillers.
Calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA)
This calcium-based ingredient (in the form of microscopic particles) is added to a gel before it’s injected to form a thicker consistency than HA, which makes it a better option for deep wrinkles.Radiesse uses this ingredient in their fillers.
Poly-L-lactic acid
Instead of “filling” lines and wrinkles, this naturally-occurring, biodegradable acid helps stimulate the skin’s own collagen production, building firmness and resilience from the inside out over time. Sculptra Aesthetic is one popular filler that uses this ingredient to treat deep wrinkles and increase the volume where fat and collagen has been lost. It works gradually - it may take up to 90 days to really see results - but can last for at least two years, making it a semipermanent filler.
Autologous fat injections (fat grafting)
A much more intensive treatment than dermal fillers, this technique reallocates fat from other parts of your body, such as the buttocks, and injects it into lines and creases of the face.
This process typically requires liposuction, a procedure in which fat is vacuumed out of the body via a hollow tube inserted through incisions in the skin. This requires sedation, and downtime is much longer - up to 2-3 weeks. In most cases, fat grafting provides long-lasting results.
Nothing Lasts Forever
The vast majority of fillers are absorbable. Thus, they offer temporary results that last from months to a couple of years, depending on the product and the person.
While many facial fillers provide immediate results, says the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), some of them will require several treatments over the course of weeks or months for optimal benefits, followed by occasional touch-ups.
The Downside Is Downtime
From regular maintenance to intensive treatments, side effects affect most of us to some degree. The most common side effects include:
- redness
- swelling
- pain and tenderness
- bruising
- itching
These side effects are the body’s natural response to the micro-trauma of injections. While nothing can completely prevent the body’s natural recovery response, Viktor Michael has been clinically proven to significantly reduce downtime. In fact, after only 2 days, 91% of participants said they feel like they experience less downtime when using Hidden Agenda and Ciao For Now than they normally do after injections, and 100% of them said these are the best post-injection products they have used to reduce discomfort compared to other cosmetic products they’ve tried. Now that’s empowering.
