Dermal fillers can do wonders for your skin and overall appearance. Apart from plumping up wrinkles and smoothing lines on the face, these injectables can also fill out volume loss and improve facial contours. Along with these wonders, however, come the concerns about undesirable results and complications that can arise.
Fillers are considered safe and effective, provided that a licensed and experienced doctor administers the treatment. Having the procedure in a medical setting and knowing what type of filler is used are also important in improving patient safety and outcome. The same is also true for using technologies like ultrasound imaging, which has been helpful in avoiding and managing filler complications.
The use of ultrasound imaging in aesthetics is said to be an important tool in improving the safety of hyaluronic acid (HA) filler treatments. Continue reading as we explore more about this technology and how it can help patients feel safer during the procedure.
What is ultrasound imaging for facial injections?
Ultrasound imaging or ultrasonography for supported facial injections is used to visualize facial and superficial anatomy in real time. It allows providers to plan safe injections, map vascular structures, and verify the placement of the fillers after injection. This helps improve patient outcomes and minimize filler complications.
Ultrasound-guided filler injections involve the use of an ultrasound scanner that features medical imaging for superficial applications. At Cutis, we use the Clarius L20 HD, which is a US FDA-cleared and CE-marked high-frequency handheld ultrasound scanner. Our very own Dr. Sylvia has also been trained by Clarius, a provider of high-definition wireless ultrasound systems.
The Clarius L20 HD provides a high-quality image in the near field, skin line to 4cm. At our clinic, we specifically use it for facial filler applications to evaluate the area anatomically. We also use it to avoid vascular structures in critical areas and injections in the wrong place that could result in adverse complications.
How does ultrasound image contribute to consistent and safe filler outcomes?
As the device provides high-definition imaging, it can help providers identify the amount, location, and depth of the injected fillers. One key benefit is that it lets injectors know where to avoid structures in critical areas that are either very deep or shallow. It can also help avoid intravascular injections or injections within a blood vessel.
Below are the benefits of ultrasound imaging:
Evaluate filler complications – For many patients, lingering filler material for years can sometimes lead to nodules or swelling in the treated area. The use of ultrasound imaging allows providers to see where these fillers are and dissolve them. With the guidance of ultrasound, hyaluronidase (an enzyme that breaks down hyaluronic acid quickly) can be injected into the filler deposit. Also, this eliminates the need for surgical procedures like blepharoplasty.
Minimize/prevent filler complications – Ultrasound imaging, particularly the Clarius L20 HD, provides vascular mapping in just minutes. This helps injectors know where to inject fillers and avoid structures (critical areas) during the treatment. Facial vascular mapping, furthermore, has been proven to improve the safety of hyaluronic acid filler treatments.
Greater confidence in needle placements – Knowing where to inject the filler and avoid certain structures translate to improved confidence and outcomes. There is also the benefit of helping providers improve their technique and learn more about facial anatomy.
Getting a safe and quality dermal filler treatment
Using ultrasound imaging does help in improving safety and getting your desired outcome. Along with this is finding the right doctor to administer the filler and aesthetic clinic to have the procedure. Below are a few other tips when getting dermal fillers.
- Know the type of product to be used, where it is going to be injected, as well as the possible risks.
- Do not inject facial fillers on your own or use needle-free injection devices.
- Do not buy fillers online or those that are sold directly to the public.
- Start with a conservative approach
- Make sure to follow all the after-care guidelines.
Check out our previous post on how to get natural-looking results with facial fillers.
Book a consultation today
Want to learn more about ultrasound-guided filler treatments or if you’re a good candidate for this injectable? Contact Cutis Medical Laser Clinics in Singapore today and schedule a consultation with our aesthetic doctor.
Sources:
https://clarius.com/blog/video-patient-feels-safer-with-ultrasound-guided-facial-fillers/
https://www.imcas.com/en/academy/blog/935/dr-pether-velthius-presents-ultrasonography-for-injections
- If you would like to be an informed patient, please contact us at +65-6801-4000 or
cutis@cutislaserclinics.com. - Cutis Medical Laser Clinics, 9 Scotts Road Pacific Plaza, Scotts Medical Center #08-07, Singapore – 228210
+65-6801-4000 - cutis@cutislaserclinics.com
