Semi-Permanent Filler for the Face (Dermadeep®)
 

As time passes, our faces start to show the effects of gravity, sun exposure and years of facial muscle movement. We no longer have the plump cheeks and smooth face contour as we had when we were 16 or 20. The subcutaneous fat (fat right under the skin) gradually decreases making our skin thinner and lines and wrinkles start to appear. Semi-Permanent face fillers can restore the youthful look to your face. It is important to know that semi-permanent fillers can't correct the loose skin caused by age. If the jowl area or the neck has loose skin, a semi-permanent filler will fill the folds and wrinkles in the face and enhance the cheeks but a surgical procedure such as a face or neck lift may be needed to rid the face of the excess skin. It is also important to know that areas like the lips, peri-oral wrinkles (on top of the upper lip), Glabellar lines (between the brows), Forehead lines (beneath the hair line), can't be corrected by this type of filler. If you are interested in correcting any one or more of these areas other types of fillers or injectables like a temporary filler, a permanent filler and maybe Botox will be recommended to you to achieve your expectations and achieve best results.
 

What is Dermadeep® ?

Dermadeep is semi-permanent filler composed of a suspension of flexible and non-resorbable fragments of Acrylic Hydrogel (Water based gel) in a sterile solution of hyaluronic acid of a non-animal origin. Hyaluronic acid is a substance which is naturally present in the dermis (the thick layer of our skin) and gradually disappears with age. Once Dermadeep is injected approximately 40% of the injected material is retained semi-permanently in the dermis. The hyaluronic acid (which constitutes 60% of the injected material) disappears within a few weeks, which gives the Acrylic Hydrogel particles time to be evenly distributed throughout the dermis. When injected into the subcutaneous fat (the layer of fat underneath the skin), Dermadeep creates volume to your face and raises the skin where skin folds and wrinkles have appeared. During the three months following the injection, these particles are surrounded by new collagen fibers produced by your own body which complete the augmentation of the treated area. Dermadeep is famous for cheek augmentation, remodeling of the chin contour and filling skin folds like the naso-labial folds and pronounced wrinkles. The effect of Dermadeep usually lasts between 12 to 18 months; sometimes the effect may last longer or shorter depending on your body's natural process of forming new collagen around the implanted material, the area treated and the volume injected. If necessary retouching is made 3 months after the initial injection.
 





Are You a Good Candidate for Dermadeep® ?

You would be a good candidate for Dermadeep if you seek to enhance your cheeks in a way that looks natural and gradual. You may also want to enhance your chin or fill your naso-labial folds with a filler that lasts a bit longer than temporary fillers and yet is not a permanent filler. Some of the areas corrected by Dermadeep are also corrected by permanent fillers, some candidates prefer to try their look with the Dermadeep first as it is not permanent before they commit to the permanent filler. You would also be a good candidate if you wish to restore the look you had to your face a few years back and not go 10 to 20 years back. You need to know that Dermadeep can't be injected in all areas of the face as mentioned above. Dermadeep can be used starting age 18.

Preparing for Your Procedure

Before your procedure, Dr. Metwally will perform a complete evaluation with you to discuss your concerns with your face and determine the role of Dermadeep in their treatment. If some of the areas of your concern can't be treated with Dermadeep, Dr. Metwally will suggest a combination of Dermadeep with other more permanent fillers or temporary fillers (in case of lip filling) and maybe Botox to give you best results.

Duration of the Procedure

The duration of your procedure varies significantly according to the areas being treated. In general it takes 10 to 20 minutes for the injection with Dermadeep.

Anesthesia Used

Dermadeep is injected with a very fine needle, therefore it only requires a numbing cream to be applied to the area of treatment 20 minutes before your procedure. Some Dermadeep fans who've been using it for years don't even find the need to use the numbing cream prior to the injection. You may leave instantaneously after your procedure and resume your normal daily activities.
 

During Your Procedure

During your procedure, Dr. Metwally starts by marking the areas that need to be filled. Then he proceeds by injecting the filler. After that he applies pressure to the area and massages it a bit to ensure the proper distribution of the filler.
 


After Your Procedure

After your procedure you will notice that the injected area may be a bit red. Early lumpiness may occur and can be removed by massaging the lumpy area while applying pressure to it. On the 2nd day you will notice that your face has swollen, this swelling subsides gradually over the following 3 days. In rare cases especially with candidates with fair skin color, a tiny blue spot the size of the needle hole may occur this can easily be covered with make up and disappears within 3 to 5 days. No pain killer or antibiotic will be prescribed to you and you may resume your normal activities immediately after your procedure is completed.

Seeing Your Result

With Dermadeep and most fillers in general you can actually see your result immediately after injection. You just need to know that what you see upon the completion of the injection is slightly bigger than your actual result due to the swelling from the injection. The swelling subsides gradually over a period of 7 to 10 days. The final result is seen approximately after 2 weeks.