Forehead Fillers For Facial Contouring: Treatments, Cost & More

When we age, body collagen depletes, the cell structure weakens, and skin becomes thinner and wrinkles start to form. Dermal fillers treatment temporary adds volume and stimulate  skin’s collagen and helps restoring it to its juvenile form.

What are forehead dermal fillers?

The forehead is the conspicuous facial feature and signs to be seen in skin aging. Today, non-surgical cosmetic procedures like forehead dermal fillers are apt to plump the skin for a smoother and fuller forehead, achieving a more youthful look. Forehead dermal fillers are injected beneath the skin to restore lost volume, smooth lines, soften creases, or enhance facial contours. The key ingredient contained in most fillers is hyaluronic acid, which occurs naturally in the body and is responsible for collagen production. There are other fillers containing calcium hydroxylapatite and polylactic acid too. 

Types of forehead dermal fillers

There is very little flesh around the forehead, so the filler must be soft yet able to plump up an area without needing too much product. Below are some examples of the different types of Dermal Fillers;

i. Hyaluronic acid

Hyaluronic acid naturally occurs in the skin, keeping it hydrated and plumped. While aging declines hyaluronic acid production. HA fillers that are gel-like are used as a substitute. They last temporarily from 6-12 months as the body absorbs them. The commonly seen HA fillers include:

• Juvéderm 
• Restylane 
• Teosyal Redensity

ii. Calcium Hydroxylapatite (CaHA)

 CaHA naturally occurs in bones. It is embedded as microscopic particles in the gel for the filler that lasts approximately a year. It is mostly used for deep wrinkles, plus it stimulates collagen production to improve skin texture and boosts collagen.  Radiesse is one of the product brands that contain Calcium Hydroxylapatite (CaHA), an FDA-approved filler containing 30% CaHA and 70% CMC gel, lasts for 12-18 months, with no post-treatment cautions. Results are visible after the first treatment. Radiesse cannot be dissolved thus, it should only be used by patients who are certain they will like the effect of fillers.

iii. Poly-L-lactic Acid

Poly-L-lactic acid, a synthetic biocompatible and biodegradable substance is categorized as a collagen stimulant as it boosts collagen and helps reduce wrinkles appearance and fine lines. It is used for deep wrinkles and dissipates in a few days after injection. Sculptra is one of the common product brands seen. It usually lasts up to 2 years, with results visible after the first session. After the session, the doctor massages the area for the even distribution of the product and to prevent clumping.

iv. Polycaprolactone (PCL-based filler)

Polycaprolactone is a bioresorbable filler having microspheres dispersed in a carboxymethyl cellulose carrier gel. PCL microspheres have collagen fibers embedded, forming a 3D scaffold for long-term effect. The PCL filler hydrolyzes in the body within 1-2 years, depending upon its constituents. Hence the product is opted for according to the duration of cosmetic and reconstructive requirements.  Ellansé, a PCL filler containing 30%PCL and 70%CMC gel. After injecting PCL filler into the treated skin, it starts to promote collagen production. The PCL will slowly get absorbed into the body within 1-2 years.

TYPES OF DERMAL FILLERS
Temporary	Hyaluronic Acid (HA)
Semi-Permanent  (Collagen Stimulators)	Calcium Hydroxylapatite Poly-L Lactic Acid Polycaprolactone
Permanent	Silicone Fat Graft

 

How Many Sessions Until I See The Results?

Dermal Fillers results are immediate, as patients can observe the outcomes after the first session. However, the complete integration of most fillers into the skin takes four weeks and even more. For fillers formula has active ingredients suspended in a gel. The gel provides instant plumpness and structural uplift, while other elements take a few weeks to metabolize and bind to the skin. For example, hyaluronic acid needs time to bind skin water molecules. Once the binding process is complete, you can consider the treatment set and will have an idea of the final effect look. The binding process also triggers the skin’s collagen production too. 

How Long Do Forehead Dermal Fillers Stay?

Individual results may vary. However, most dermal fillers last for 6-12 months, while others can last 1-2 years. Denser fillers with deepened penetration last for a longer time. Some of the dermal fillers available in Singapore and their lasting period are as follows:     Besides the filler type injected, other factors that contribute to the filler span are:

• Treatment area where the filler is injected
• Rate of filler metabolization in the body

Do I Make An Ideal Candidate?

An ideal candidate is generally a healthy individual with moderate to severe lines, wrinkles and loss of volume, prefer non-surgical treatment to address skin aging.  People in their forties and afterward use fillers to recede the depth of wrinkles and their appearance for plumped and youthful skin. As filler tone up skin, they can be injected to enhance the forehead shape at any adult age. Hence, people in their twenties and thirties get dermal fillers for a symmetrical face.

What is The Difference Compared To Forehead Btx?

Botulinum toxin injection (Btx) relaxes the muscle underneath the skin, thus improving wrinkles. The dermal filler hydrates the skin, leading it to a plumper and youthful state with reduced wrinkles.  When btx is injected, its toxins paralyze the muscle, causing it to slacken and wrinkle to diminish. However, btx only works on dynamic wrinkles (expression lines) caused by muscle flexions, which mostly appear on the upper face, like 11 between the eyebrows and forehead lines. It cannot treat static wrinkles triggered by sagginess or reduced skin plumpness with aging. Static wrinkles appear on the forehead, cheeks, near jaws, and neck. Dermal fillers, also called soft tissue fillers, are specifically designed substances to be administered underneath the skin surface for added volume, fullness, and cushioning of a crease. These fillers contain constituents that stimulate collagen production, reinforce epidermis layers, and thus reduce the appearance of static facial wrinkles.  To determine the best-suited type of treatment, the patient should undergo an assessment and discuss their concerns with a certified doctor prior to the procedure.

Can I Combine Forehead Dermal Fillers with Btx?

As btx and dermal fillers have different acting mechanisms and formulas to impede facial lines, they can be combined in a single treatment.  Btx soothes dynamic wrinkles rendered by repeated movements, including frowning and squinting.  While dermal fillers target distinct facets of aging altogether, restoring lost volume, adding structural support to static wrinkles, and assisting in sculpting a more youthful looking face with defined contours. Dermal fillers can reshape the patient’s facial profile by forward projecting for men’s foreheads and curving effect for women’s foreheads.

Common Issues To Treat With Dermal Fillers

Following are the main issues where fillers can be helpful:

i. Flat forehead

Increasing the forehead projection and attaining a protruded forehead is possible with dermal fillers as they enhance the forehead skin volume. The fillers can be utilized for contour and adds volume to precisely the appropriate areas. For subtle and natural effects, the filler should be injected in line with the overall facial structure and shape.

ii. Static lines and wrinkles

Expression lines continually move, and dermal fillers cannot adequately target them. While static wrinkles occur primarily from the natural loss of elasticity and collagen in the skin. Dermal Fillers can plump up the skin by filling in these static wrinkles. Which smooths out making the skin appear plump, hydrated and youthful looking.

iii. Facial symmetry

Sometimes dermal filler is used to treat forehead asymmetries caused by accident or tissue scarring. The doctor will inject the required volume of dermal filler to specific areas balancing the imperfections for a symmetrical forehead.

What To Expect After Getting Dermal Filler Injections? 

Usually, the filler side effects occur momentarily after injecting it and are prevalent for a few days to weeks. Severe side effects are relatively uncommon from dermal fillers. The risk factor varies according to the filler type injected. However, commonly patients observe the following after-effects:

• Skin outbreaks appearing as acne
• Bleeding or infection at the injection site
• Bruising or inflammation varies from mild to severe,
• Tissue damage that leads to wounds or scarring
• Formation of lumps
• Rashes attributed to itching
• Temporary redness or numbness of the skin
• Over or under-corrected wrinkles
• A rare observation, necrosis, may occur owing to accidental injection of the filler into any arteries.
• Filler can migrate underneath the thin forehead skin
• At times filler treatment can trigger an allergy in the patient. 

Most symptoms can be alleviated using topical products and massage of the treated area. Some conditions, however, need medications. The doctor may provide further clarification about potential risks and side effects.

Forehead Dermal Fillers Aftercare Guide

These are some of the precautions to avoid after a Dermal filler treatment;

• Avoid the skin from high temperatures (eg, saunas), which can cause irritation and swelling.
• Avoid touching and rubbing the treated area 
• Avoid strenuous exercise immediately 
• Avoid facials, dentist appointments, and other activities that may have pressure or stretch facial muscles.
• Avoid alcohol and smoking. They may cause bruising and swelling of the treated area, elongating the recovery period.

Bottomline

Forehead wrinkles and loss of collagen is a part of the skin aging process. With age, it may get deeper wrinkles, more lines, or asymmetries. Dermal filler injection is one of the solutions to fix these skin concerns.  Whether one is undergoing Dermal fillers to boost skin collagen production or enhance volume for youthful looking skin. Or combining btx and dermal fillers treatment to elevate the look by treating dynamic and static wrinkles. Each individual has a different condition, it is important for the certified doctor to perform a complete assessment, address the risk factors and the type of filler appropriate for the particular patient. As well as well informed about the after-treatment care.