Facial Implants or Fillers: How Do I Decide?

To change the shape of your face, you can choose between facial implants and fillers. Both procedures help create a fuller, more youthful look and improve facial balance. You need to know the difference to determine your preference—facial implants or fillers: how to decide. 

Facial Implants 

Facial implants are small devices inserted into the skin during surgery. They are made from silicon or other safe materials. Surgeons use them to enhance the chin, cheeks, or jawline and drastically change the facial contour or shape. The surgery can take several hours to complete. 

Facial Fillers 

A facial filler is a gel injected into the face to make it fuller. Fillers are different from Botox injections that prevent muscle movement. Fillers make the facial skin plumper, and the results can last up to two years. The procedure allows people to change their facial appearance without turning to surgery. 

Making the Decision 

When deciding between facial implants and fillers, you should consider several factors. They include the goal of the treatment, length or results, number of treatments, length of procedure, downtime, and cost. 

Treatment Goals

When considering cosmetic surgery, you need to consider your goals or the desired results. It will help you choose the best procedure. Implants and fillers change the facial contour, but they do so in different ways. 

Length of Results

When choosing the procedure, you should consider how long the results last. Facial implants offer permanent results, but dermal fillers last between six months to two years. If you choose fillers, you will need treatments every few months to maintain the results.  

Number of Treatments

The main difference between implants and fillers is in the number of treatments. When you choose implants, you will go through one surgical procedure. For facial fillers, you will require several treatments to achieve the results. Most patients get between two to five sessions. 

Length of Procedure 

Implants and fillers are completed in one appointment. However, it can take five to 10 minutes to inject the fillers and one to three hours to complete implant surgery. The duration will depend on the implant you require. Facial implant surgery requires anesthesia, while fillers do not. 

Downtime and Recovery
 

Dermal fillers are a non-surgical procedure that does not require downtime. Facial implants require downtime to recover from the surgical procedure. Most people recover from fillers within a few hours, while it can take up to six weeks to recover from implants. 

Cost of the Procedure

Implants cost more because they produce permanent results that involve surgery. Fillers are less expensive, but you will also require additional treatments over time. Fillers are an ongoing investment, and the costs add up over time. The type of fillers you choose will also determine the overall cost.

For more on how to decide between facial implants and fillers, visit Gupta Plastic Surgery at our San Diego or Encinitas, California office. Call (858) 408-6100 to schedule an appointment today.