Filler Up! Top Filler Techniques

More and more people are turning to dermal fillers to enhance their looks and there’s a lot you may be curious about before you’re ready to dive into fillers head first.

You might already know there are different types of filler, like hyaluronic acid and calcium hydroxylapatite, to name a few. In addition, you’ve likely heard the names of some of the popular makers of dermal filler, such as Juvederm or Restylane. But there are also different techniques for administering filler.

The technique your provider uses will influence your safety, recovery time, and overall results. So, what are some of the most popular filler techniques, and how do they work?

1. Tunneling

If your provider uses the tunneling technique, they will insert the needle or microcannula into the skin following the direction of the wrinkle. As they withdraw the needle, the filler is dropped slowly into the skin. This method can be used to fill shallow wrinkles, deep lines, or low-volume areas of the skin.

2. Stretching

The stretching technique demands that the provider stretch the skin and holds it taut to isolate the target area during injection. This technique is best for areas with skin laxity (for example, around the mouth).

3. Sandwich

The sandwich technique, AKA the dual-plane technique, involves injecting two different layers of skin in the same area. First, a thinner filler is injected into the dermis (the skin’s middle layer). Next, a thicker filler is injected beneath the dermis. This method is effective for patients with both deep volume loss and surface-layer wrinkling.

4. Droplet

The droplet technique (otherwise known as the serial, point, or puncture technique) is a little less popular but still common. This technique involves injecting tiny filler droplets about 2-4mm apart into a deeper layer of skin. The droplets fill up wrinkles and boost volume from under the skin, making it a great choice for improving the overall fullness of the skin and its overall appearance.

5. Classic Combination

Most likely, your provider will use a combination of methods 1-4 to achieve a flawless final result!

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Other Filler Techniques

Recently, there has been an explosion of education about other uncommon filler techniques on social media. Here are just a few of them:

• Fern pattern: Filler is injected into a leaf-shaped pattern for more dynamic movement and sufficient wrinkle relief without any puffiness.
• Cross-hatching: This is a threading technique used to treat broad areas.
• Tower: The needle is inserted perpendicularly to the skin all the way down to the bone to lift the cheek bones.
• Tenting: Lip tenting is when the injector uses an ultrafine needle to build tiny pillars of HA gel along the outer edges of the lips to create a clean border.
• Fanning: A tunnel of filler is injected as the needle is withdrawn, forming a fanning pattern. This technique fills the problem area with fewer skin punctures.

Needle vs. Cannula

Some doctors seem to boast about using a blunt microcannula, while others stick to the classic needle. Actually, many of them use both. But what’s the difference?

A cannula is longer and more flexible and has a blunt end. They look like needles, but they are less sharp and therefore less likely to puncture little blood vessels. This method can be not as precise, but it reduces pain, bruising, bleeding, and overall recovery time.

Traditional needles remain the gold standard for precise and accurate dermal filler injections for intricate or complicated areas.

Which filler technique do I need?

The filler technique that’s right for you depends on a few factors, including:

• Thickness of your skin
• Targeted area
• Desired result
• Provider’s experience and preferences

We understand that all these different techniques can be overwhelming when you’re new to dermal fillers. The great news is, your G Spa injector has the experience and skill set to select and perform the techniques necessary to deliver a safe, beautiful result each filler treatment.

To learn more and discuss your goals one-on-one for with our expert providers, call us today to schedule a consultation! With the best products, techniques, and over 20 years of combined experience, you’re in good hands. Simply explain what you’d like to achieve and we’ll customize your experience accordingly.