Intro To Dermal Fillers And How Fo Inject Them Flashcards
What are dermal fillers for?
Dermal fillers are products injected under the skin to replace or augment volume in a way that aims to improve the aesthetics of the face
What is hyaluronic acid?
Hyaluronic acid is a ubiquitous carbohydrate found in the human body
(A natural sugar which will be broken down naturally over time)
What is hyaluronic acid main function?
It’s main function is to retain water to keep your tissues well lubricated and moist
What is hyaluronic acid made up of?
Alternating units of 1,4 linked N-acetylglucosamine and glucuronic acid
What is the half life of HA?
24-36 hours in the skin
As we age the production slows but the half life remains the same, this forms part of the reason there is a decrease in the skin volume
What are some properties of HA?
1) a high degree of elasticity
2) excellent lubricating properties
3) easily becomes quickly integrated with native collagen and elastin
4) ability to hold 1000x its own weight in water
How long does filler last?
6-12 months
As it is cross linked
How does filler stay where you put it?
It interstates with native tissues
What do you use to revise HA fillers?
Hyaluronidase- a product which is used to break up long chains
What are fibroblasts?
Fibroblasts are the cells in the skin which make collagen
Dermal filler stretches fibroblasts, how is this a benefit?
it stretches the cells in the skin that make collagen, in a way which causes them to create new collagen
The new collagen would contribute to the reduction of the appearance of creases and wrinkles
What will happen if you inject into the papillary dermis? (Too superficial)
The filler will be visible and can discolour the skin
Where would you inject for
A) fine lines
B) medium wrinkles
C) deep wrinkles
Deep lines- Lower dermis
Medium wrinkles- mid dermis
Fine lines- superficial dermis
What are the layers of the skin?
Epidermis
Dermis
Fat
How would you know if your too shallow?
If the skin is blanched and without lifting (paler/white)
DO NOT INJECT- too superficial and the filler will be visible
How to know if your at the correct depth for fine lines?
If you lift tho r needle and can clearly see the shape of the needle as a defined line (which may be blanch- but only when lifting) you are in the right depth for a low viscosity filler to treat a fine line
How to know if your at the right depth for deep lines?
If you lift and see a rough shape of the needle but it is very defined you are about right for a deeper line or volume replacement
How would you know if your too deep?
If all you see is the skin lifting generally, you are likely deep in subcutaneous fat which is not optimal
