What are fillers
Fillers are filler preparations with a gel-like consistency that are used for contouring of cheekbones, lips, nose, chin, and correction of age-related changes. They fill wrinkles, eliminate asymmetry from the face, moisturize the skin, and restore its elasticity.
Varieties:
- Biodegradable - made of paraffin and silicone. They migrate under the skin, do not dissolve, and can cause allergies. May lead to fibrosis in the injection area. Affordable, provide long-term effect. Every year they are used less and less. Their use is justified on injured areas.
- Biosynthetic - based on animal collagen and calcium hydroxylapatite. Validity period: up to 5 years. Possible migration to other areas, allergic reactions, blockage of blood vessels.
Biodegradable fillers based on hyaluronic acid are the most popular. This component is produced by the human body and is completely compatible with it (it is found in cartilage, saliva, joints). HA in the composition of skin tissue stimulates their regeneration.
The advantages of fillers are the almost complete absence of side effects, skin hydration, and hypoallergenicity. They can be selected according to the degree of density: a less viscous consistency is for wrinkles, a denser one is for contouring different areas of the face.
Buyanov Sergey Yurievich (Expert Doctor):
The use of fillers is similar to the work of a sculptor: increase in those places where there is little, and due to this reduce the volume of excess. The similarity also concerns “hardening of the material” - fixing the filler in the right place. Before this time, it is possible to move under the skin, which leads to unpleasant side effects.
The main disadvantage is the fragility of the result: from several months to one year, rarely longer. After which they are absorbed and excreted from the body.
Fillers in the hands of a professional give a wonderful effect: they smooth out nasolabial folds, crow’s feet, purse-string wrinkles, add volume to too thin lips, and improve the condition of the skin.
Advantages and disadvantages
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Plasmolifting
An innovative method that has a good anti-aging result, affecting the deepest layers of the epidermis. The internal resources of the human body (cell regeneration process) are activated using microinjections.
Pros:
- zero risk of infection when using the procedure;
- complete absence of immune conflict (the body accepts plasma without problems);
- no allergic reactions to the substance;
- to achieve a visible effect, only 3-4 sessions are required;
- there is no rehabilitation period and rare adverse reactions.
Operating principle:
- specially processed autoplasma is saturated with necessary components (mineral elements, amino acids, vitamins “B”, “A”, “E”, “C”, “K”, “D”). The platelet level remains the same, red blood cells are absent;
- the injected substance interacts with the cells of blood vessels, releasing specific components, “alpha” granules, penetrating into damaged areas, filling them;
- the result is a restoration process that manifests itself over a short period.
Compound
Human plasma (the patient’s personal blood is taken).
Acceptable age
This procedure is not recommended for minors (under 18) and people over 60.
Contraindications:
- pregnant and lactating women;
- for chronic alcoholism;
- exacerbation of diseases;
- for rashes and neoplasms at injection sites;
- after chemical or laser peeling;
- diseases (diabetes mellitus, hemophilia, epilepsy, nephropathy);
- Period.
What is mesothread
Implantation of mesothreads, or thread lifting, is carried out to tighten the skin.
The threads are inserted under the skin and form a frame that fixes the tissue, stimulating the production of elastin and collagen, from which a new frame is subsequently created.
The technique was created in South Korea, taking into account local specifics. Many European cosmetics are not suitable for the sensitive skin of Asians. Threadlifting turned out to be a real godsend.
During the procedure, a thin guide needle made of medical steel with laser sharpening or a cannula with a blunt end is used. The rounded end gently moves the tissue apart, making the procedure almost atraumatic.
Each type of mesothread has its own area of application:
- linear - a universal material for tightening the oval of the face, reinforcing the area of the cheeks, forehead, buttocks, abdomen, smoothing out small wrinkles;
- spiral (SCREW) - for the eyebrow area, nasolabial fold, collar area, décolleté;
- “braids” made of intertwined fibers - for cheeks, neck, chest, chin;
- with notches (COG) - for correcting age-related changes on different parts of the face and body;
- liquid, made from zinc chloride and hyaluronic acid, - to moisturize and restore skin elasticity in the area of the nasolabial fold, eyes, hips, and neck.
Thread lifting solves the problem of gravitational ptosis and stimulates collagen production.
Improvement in skin condition and visual signs of rejuvenation can be observed in the first days after the procedure. With the formation of a collagen framework, the changes become even more obvious.
Buyanov Sergey Yurievich (Expert Doctor):
Mesothreads serve to form a solid base; they can be compared to a frame or even a foundation on which the skin is attached. The dense base prevents the formation of new wrinkles and smoothes out existing skin folds.
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Plasmolifting
What it is?
Plasmolifting is an injection of blood plasma that is rich in platelets.
After blood is collected from the patient, it is placed in a centrifuge and enriched plasma is obtained in just a few minutes. We invite you to watch a video about what plasma lifting is:
Analysis
| Plasmolifting | Mesotherapy | |
| Principle of procedures | Injections of the patient's blood plasma enriched with platelets under the skin. The procedure is carried out almost immediately after blood collection and centrifugation. Before the procedure, you need to undergo all tests to understand whether the patient’s own blood is suitable for beauty injections. During the procedure, local anesthesia is used. | Meso-cocktails are injected under the skin, most often based on hyaluric acid (you can find out what preparations are available for mesotherapy of the face and body and what is best used for salon and home use here). The cocktail complex includes amino acids and vitamins. The procedure is quite simple and does not require anesthesia. |
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| Price | The average price in Moscow is 8916 rubles, in St. Petersburg 7334 rubles for 1 procedure. | From 500 rubles in Moscow and from 450 rubles in St. Petersburg for 1 procedure (read about the cost of mesotherapy procedures and whether it is worth saving on it here). The course of treatment for the entire face is 8,000 rubles. |
We talked about whether to do mesotherapy, its pros and cons, as well as comparison with other procedures, here, and from this article you will learn about what contraindications there are and what not to do after it.
Combination
Often before carrying out the plasma lifting procedure, a cosmetologist can prescribe a course of mesotherapy to improve skin turgor, due to which the effect of plasma injection will be more pronounced and last much longer.
General indications and contraindications
Indications for the use of fillers and mesothreads:
- gravitational ptosis of the cheeks and eyebrows;
- drooping corners of the lips;
- folds on the chest, in front of and behind the ear, on the neck, chin, in the area of the nasolabial triangle;
- deepening of the nasolacrimal groove;
- wrinkles: purse-string wrinkles around the mouth, labio-mental, glabellar, horizontal and vertical;
- sagging skin in different parts of the body;
- lumpiness of the skin after the liposuction procedure due to subcutaneous adhesions;
- double chin;
- fuzzy oval face.
Contraindications:
- hemophilia, problems with blood clotting;
- infectious diseases in the acute phase with damage to internal organs;
- somatic diseases: oncology, ischemic heart disease, serious disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, endocrine system, liver;
- systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, type I diabetes mellitus, Sjögren's syndrome and other autoimmune diseases;
- mental illness;
- acquired and congenital collagenoses;
- dermatological problems in the area selected for injection;
- pregnancy, lactation period;
- collagenoses;
- allergy to anesthetic.
Differences between mesothreads and fillers
Both methods are widely used to correct defects, visual rejuvenation, and restore attractiveness. Both are based on the principle of subcutaneous injection through punctures. However, there are significant differences between them.
Operating principle
Fillers replenish the missing tissue volume. Mesothreads create a framework for strengthening and tightening muscles, stimulate collagen production to create a new bioframework.
The main disadvantage of thread lifting is that it does not compensate for the deficiency of skin and subcutaneous tissue. It can tighten the skin, but is unable to fill out wrinkles and folds. Fillers based on hyaluronic acid cope with this task.
Compound
- Filler is a gel-like implant without a shell.
- The threads are a biodegradable suture material made from polydioxanone (PDO).
Effect durability
The result after the installation of mesothreads lasts for an average of 1.5-2 years. It depends on the hormonal status, metabolic activity of cells, and the age of the person.
The effect of using biodegradable fillers may be less durable - from 6 months. up to 1.5 years. This is influenced by the rate of breakdown of hyaluronic acid in the body of a particular person, his individual reaction to the components of the drug.
Age restrictions
The introduction of fillers gives good results at any age. The effectiveness of mesothreads after 40-45 years is much less, although exceptions are possible.
Price
The price for installing mesothreads is significantly higher than the cost of introducing fillers.
Application area
Unlike mesothreads, fillers based on hyaluronic acid are not the best option for correcting gravitational ptosis. They will only add massiveness to the floating oval of the face. Mesothreads are inferior to fillers in the effectiveness of solving the problem of the nasolacrimal groove.
Compatibility of both procedures
For several years, it was believed that fillers and thread lifting should absolutely not be combined, and that the use of mesothreads after fillers could lead to serious consequences. However, today, answering the question: is it possible to combine these two procedures, many cosmetologists answer that it is not only possible, but also necessary, since they complement each other perfectly.
Thus, contour plastic surgery with fillers replenishes lost volume and rejuvenates the skin of the face, and mesothreads perfectly tighten sagging and sagging skin, giving it correct and clear contours. This joint rejuvenation can last up to 3 years.
But, still, when planning any anti-aging procedure, it is worth listening to the opinion of a cosmetologist. A competent specialist will help you choose the right technique that will help eliminate your problems.
Main misconceptions
On the Internet and glossy magazines, along with reliable information, there are many myths, inaccuracies, and exaggerations. It is very difficult to choose the optimal procedure for yourself after familiarizing yourself with such sources. The truth usually lies somewhere in the middle.
Misconception 1: “hyaluronic acid fillers are better than mesothreads and are suitable for any situation.”
It all depends on the condition of the skin, the severity of age-related changes, and the area of correction. Only a qualified cosmetologist can choose the best option.
Mesothreads, which contain at least 75% polylactic or polyglycolic acids, help improve skin turgor and stimulate elastin production.
When a filler with hyaluronic acid is injected into the lips, cheekbones or other area, the result can be easily corrected using the enzyme hyaluronidase.
Misconception 2: “For deformation-edema type of aging, fillers are not suitable, only threads can be used.”
Correction of facial oval requires preliminary lipolytic preparation using drugs with deoxycholic acid or vacuum radio wave therapy. After this, you can use both calcium hydroxyapatite fillers and threads. The number of threads based on polylactic acid in this case should not be large. They stimulate the production of hyaluronic acid, which can lead to even more swelling.
Misconception 3: “Any mesothreads strengthen the oval of the face and tighten the skin in the middle part better than fillers.”
The most popular smooth monofilaments do not provide a significant lifting effect, like fillers. Deep insertion threads with multidirectional notches - “claws” (cog) or with spikes (rose) - cope best with this task.
Opinion of cosmetologists
According to cosmetologists, each method has its own advantages and disadvantages. The decision to choose one or another procedure is the competence of professionals.
The criteria they follow are: the type of age-related changes, the presence of indications and contraindications, skin type, localization of the correction zone.
The algorithm of actions is built depending on the specific situation. Only in this case can the maximum effect be achieved.
