In 1981, bovine collagen was the first FDA-approved agent for cosmetic injection. Since then, dozens of injectable fillers have been developed and approved by the FDA for cosmetic use. Dermal fillers have been around for more than 40 years, but they have changed dramatically over the years. To understand any type of injection, it is important to look at its history for valuable lessons, to make progress a success. And honestly, it's very interesting to see where we have come in the last 40 years in the world of injectables.
The evolution of facial fillers has come a long way since the time of paraffin and petroleum jelly injection for facial augmentation. Today, patients demand a durable, affordable, biocompatible and natural-looking filling material. The search for the perfect injectable has taken an interesting course and most of the innovation has been carried out over the last 30 years. To understand the future of facial augmentation, it is important to look to the past for valuable lessons and stories of caution to make progress a success. The proliferation of hyaluronic acid fillers is understandable in the context of the above materials, as is the caution used with permanent fillers.
Skepticism remains with autologous fat transfer, as the procedure has not yet been refined so that the results can be reliably reproduced from doctor to doctor. Silicone, a permanent liquid filler, remains controversial and fillers such as calcium hydroxylapatite not only improve the appearance of volume loss, but can also induce collagen formation. As the doctor's filling arsenal increases, so does the desire to advance real injection techniques. The end result has been an improvement in facial filling technology and results. Throughout history, aesthetic treatments were almost unaffordable and were mainly reserved for a select few.
However, in the last two decades, with the advent of non-surgical treatments and improved techniques with accompanying results that are equally impressive, the number of people seeking aesthetic treatments has grown exponentially. We have aesthetic surgeons with appropriate training in facial aesthetics, facial anatomy, injection techniques and how to treat complications. In the 19th century, the first cases of soft tissue augmentation with dermal fillers included autologous fat removed from the arms to correct depressed facial defects and scarring in a patient with tuberculous osteitis, as well as paraffin injection into the scrotum as a testicular prosthesis in a patient with advanced tuberculosis. Acquisition Aesthetics strives to bring together experts in facial rejuvenation and non-surgical treatments to offer the highest level of training in facial aesthetics. Another rare complication occurs when a dermal filler is involuntarily injected into a blood vessel, which can lead to serious adverse effects such as impaired vision, blindness, stroke or damage and death of the skin (necrosis) and its underlying facial structures. Although fillers have become a popular choice among cosmetic patients, clinical experience has shown that fillers should be used with caution since complications can occur. Each of the dermal fillers has its place; some patients get better results with different fillers.
Bellafill is a bovine collagen filler approved for treating nasolabial folds and moderate to severe facial acne scars; you can still get it today. The concept of injectable fillers was first born in the 19th century when medical professionals discovered the usefulness of taking fatty tissue from one area of the body and injecting it into another area to restore lost volume in facial defects and scars. A major breakthrough in dermal fillers over the years comes with the introduction of lidocaine mixed with the filler. Injectable fillers were introduced in dermatology as a method for reconstructing facial deformities and restoring an aging face. While cosmetic procedures had a stigma attached to them at one point in time, today it is possible - with the right professional and trusted facial filler brand - to achieve subtle and sophisticated results.
