The depressor anguli oris (DAO), is the facial muscle that is associated with frowning or “marionette lines.” Over time, gravity naturally pulls down the corners of your mouth, creating those frown lines. Dermal fillers are used over neurotoxins in this area because the area needs to be volumized or filled. Neurotoxins will just further relax these muscles, whereas dermal fillers will rejuvenate and volumize the skin. Sometimes just needling this area, can cause the skin to regenerate collagen.
In highly mobile areas such as the DAO, a neurotoxin injected on top of the dermal filler will increase the longevity of the treatment. Dermal fillers are broken down by the body faster in these highly mobile areas. This is a good practice for you as an aesthetic provider to have because it will increase your client’s happiness. It will protect your client’s investment, so it makes a good selling point as well.
Semi-permanent dermal fillers use your body’s innate processes to stimulate collagens in the skin. Hyaluronic acid, one of the more popular dermal fillers, is a substance that exists naturally in the body to carry and bind water. It slows the aging process over time. Hyaluronic dermal fillers hydrate the skin to plump the targeted area. The half-life of hyaluronic acid in raw form is very short and the body will break it down quickly so product manufacturers like Allergan and Galderma buy the acid in raw form, and add ingredients to make them unique and not as easily broken down. Hyaluronic acid based fillers are usually robust, viscous, and have a low molecular weight and when injected, give the area a supple and filled out look. See our posts on the different types of hyaluronic acid for more information.
It is important to do your research, take a dermal filler course, and be educated about the different types of injections, and the different products. Some products are more viscous and robust and can create bumps if put in a superficial area. Each product has different uses for different areas. That’s why you should ignore your sales representatives when they come in, and do your own research afterward. The fundamental differences of these products can make or break your client results. Make sure you register for our dermal filler course to get the best dermal filler training.
Aesthetic Advancements offers training on a variety of both Hyaluronic Acid (HA) dermal fillers and also Non-HA dermal fillers. HA fillers covered include Juvederm Ultra, Juvederm Ultra Plus, Juvederm Voluma, Juvederm Volbella, Restylane, Restylane Silk, Restylane Lyft (formerly known as Perlane), Restylane Defyne, Restylane Refyne, and Beletero Balance. We also cover the non-HA fillers Radiesse and Sculptra. Please note that while each of these dermal fillers are covered during the lecture portion of all course levels, Juvederm Voluma may only be used during the hands-on portion of the advanced and masters level courses and Sculptra may only be used during the hands-on portion of the masters level course. Neither Juvederm Voluma or Sculptra may be used during the hands-on portion of the fundamental course.