Some of the changes associated with facial ageing are due to volume loss. In youth, volume is created by a strong bony skeleton and supportive overlying fat pads which create harmonious fullness in all areas of the face. The ageing process means that bone gets resorbed and fat pads deflate. Furthermore, as tissues lose their support, they become lax and move downwards creating a sagging appearance. Fillers aim to replace the volume lost through bone resorption and fat pad deflation. The most commonly used ones consist of hyaluronic acid which is a naturally occurring substance already present in human skin. Depending on how they are manufactured, fillers vary in their consistency and firmness. These characteristics dictate their suitability for treating different areas of the face and addressing a number of aesthetic concerns. The more robust types of fillers are commonly placed deep into the cheeks where they act as lifting vectors for the lower parts of the face. This action enables them to have an indirect softening effect on the nasalabial folds and jowls. Their firm consistency means that they can also be used along the jawline, chin and nose where they can imitate bone and change the bony structure of the face. Thinner fillers are better suited for superficial placement into more delicate areas such as the tear troughs. They can also be used to soften wrinkles and other superficial imperfections, while at the same time they hydrate and improve the quality of the skin. For more information on filler treatments read here.
Reference:
Akinbiyi, Takintope MD; Othman, Sammy BA; Familusi, Olatomide MD; Calvert, Catherine MD; Card, Elizabeth B. BS; Percec, Ivona MD, PhD Better Results in Facial Rejuvenation with Fillers, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery - Global Open: October 2020 - Volume 8 - Issue 10 - p e2763
doi: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000002763