The Perfect Shade of Red

If you've recently lost weight and have deep folds and lines around your mouth and nose, see a cosmetic specialist about injectable fillers. Facial lines and labial folds can deepen if you lose a significant amount of weight. Combined with the loss of fat in the face, the muscles that support your cheeks, lips and nose can become loose and weak. As a result, the skin over these areas can sag or fold. Here's how weight loss affects your face and what injectable fillers can do to improve your appearance.

How Does Losing Weight Affect Your Face?

Losing weight can benefit you in many ways, including improving your health. But it can also create a loss of elasticity in your facial skin. Elasticity describes how your skin moves back into place after it's stretched.

Skin that loses elasticity looks dimpled or puckered when you stretch it. Facial fat fills in the area between the skin and muscles. If you lose too much facial fat, your skin shows it.

For instance, the skin over your jawline may droop. The labial or smile lines between your nostrils and upper lip may appear deeper and longer, which eventually creates labial folds. You may develop multiple wrinkles or lines around the corners of your mouth as well. 

You may choose to use various skin firming creams and lotions at home to treat your problems. Although these products can work over time, they won't give you the immediate results you seek.

Are Injectable Fillers Safe to Use and Why?

Dermal or injectable fillers like Juvederm are special cosmetic treatments that rejuvenate your facial skin quickly and effectively. The treatments consist of hyaluronic acid, which is the most common chemical used for injectable fillers today. It also comes in gel form, which is thick enough to fill in the areas beneath your sagging, loose or folding skin. 

Hyaluronic acid is considered a safe dermal filler because it's used to treat arthritis of the knees, as well as many other joint conditions. In addition, your body's joints already make small amounts of hyaluronic acid, which makes it biocompatible for you.

What Happens During and After Your Treatment?

Your cosmetic specialist will inject small amounts of hyaluronic acid into each labial fold, around your mouth and below your cheekbones. If you have poor skin elasticity, folds or lines in your forehead or chin, you can receive injections in these areas as well. 

You may notice the results you desire immediately after your treatment. For instance, the skin around your mouth may look firmer and smoother than it was before your treatment.

You should expect some swelling in your treatment sites for at least five days. Some people experience bruising, redness and tenderness in their injection sites. You can ask your specialist to numb your injection sites with a topical anesthetic if you have sensitive skin.

Your side effects may vary, depending on the condition of your skin and health. You should consult with your specialist about all possible side effects before your treatment.

How Long Will Your Treatments Last?

Injectable fillers can last 6-12 months before you need to see your specialist again. During that time, you should strive to exercise regularly to increase the elasticity of your skin and maintain your new weight. 

You can try facial exercises to help minimize your skin issues, as well as improve the muscle tone in your face. A number of sites offer tips on how to firm your chin, jowls and mouth. To avoid complications with your dermal treatments, consult with your cosmetic specialist before you try the exercises. 

If you want to know more about injectable fillers after weight loss, contact your specialist for an appointment.