People’s interest in soft tissue fillers has grown significantly over the last decade. There are still those who remain reluctant to take up these cosmetic procedures for fear of the needle (or the cost). With a new crop of topical, non-invasive fillers hitting the beauty market, everyone is likely to have something to suit their cosmetic preferences, without having to confront their fears.
Ideally, you’re not supposed to feel any pain with injectable fillers, but it is still hard to convince everyone of this. This is apparently one main reason why topical fillers are fast becoming very popular.
How topical fillers work
Topical fillers, for wrinkles and fine lines, are based on the same technology as injectable dermal fillers. The only difference is that the former delivers the active ingredients non-invasively, taking the needle out of the equation.
Up until now, there have been various over-the-counter treatments consisting of single strands of hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is a substance that occurs naturally in the human body and is responsible for keeping the skin plump, radiant and hydrated. The amount of this substance produced in the body normally diminishes with age, leading to the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
While the various over-the-counter hyaluronic acid products have had similar plumping properties as injectable (dermal) fillers, they haven’t been as effective.
The hyaluronic acid used in injectable products is cross-linked and processed differently to prevent it from being immediately degraded. This different chemical structure ensures that the dermal fillers offer long lasting ‘plumping’ results.
Thanks to new formulations, however, manufacturers are now rolling out topical fillers with stronger structures and super-high concentrations of hyaluronic acid, capable of providing the same results as injectables, to the surface of the skin.
All you have to do is apply these fillers directly on those annoying lines to get the changes you desire.
Wrap-Up
Research is still ongoing to establish the full effectiveness of the topical fillers, with some experts arguing in favor of injectables as the more potent cosmetic alternative. If you would rather not find out what it feels like to go under the needle, topical wrinkle fillers are, hands down, the best alternative available for you.
Written by: Winnie Kotieno
