What Dermal Fillers are Good for Women of Color?

If you're looking for nonsurgical ways to enhance your skin and improve your appearance, dermal fillers are a great option. But often, we see white faces in ads and before-and-after photos for these fillers, leaving women of color wondering if the treatment is also suitable for them.

At Sereno Santé in San Jose, CA, experienced, board-certified anesthesiologist Dr. Maia Chakerian specializes in giving women of color the best facial rejuvenation treatments possible.

Keep reading to discover which dermal fillers are best for women of color.

What are dermal fillers?

Dermal fillers are injectables that add a plumping compound to areas that need more volume in order to reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles or help contour your face, hands, and neck.

Many injectable dermal fillers contain hyaluronic acid, which is also found naturally in the body. These may last many months at a time but are eventually reabsorbed. Newer injectables may also contain microspheres that add volume to the face. In some cases, these injectables can last longer.

Wrinkle relaxers are another type of injectable, but they are not dermal fillers. Instead, they work to paralyze the muscles that cause your face to create dynamic wrinkles.

Are dermal fillers appropriate for women of color?

Not all dermal fillers were thoroughly tested on women of color during their research and approval phase. This sometimes leads the companies that make fillers to market them using white faces. However, since dermal fillers do not change skin tone or target pigment in the skin cells, they are appropriate for women of any skin color.

Often, the main concern for women of color is hyperpigmentation that may result from cosmetic procedures. However, while skin of any color may show bruises and slight discoloration almost immediately after treatment, experienced injectors like Dr. Chakerian can help avoid this. In cases where temporary discoloration is an issue, she can advise you about how many days it will last and if there are any special home care instructions (such as the application of ice) that are appropriate for faster healing.

In rare cases, longer-term hyperpigmentation can occur, regardless of skin tone. This can sometimes be easier to treat in white patients. For people of color, the melanin in their skin cells makes some hyperpigmentation treatments more difficult.

Which dermal fillers are best for women of color?

All dermal fillers are just as appropriate for women of color as they are for white women. At Sereno Santé, Dr. Chakerian offers fillers, including:

• Revanesse® Lips – a hyaluronic acid lip injectable

• The JUVÉDERM® family of treatments can plump, soften, and restore volume loss in multiple areas of your face.

• BELOTERO BALANCE® – a hyaluronic acid solution that repairs fine lines and wrinkles around the face.

• RADIESSE® – a plumping, water-based gel with microspheres of calcium hydroxyapatite that helps even out facial wrinkles.

Dr. Chakerian also offers wrinkle relaxers. While these are different from fillers, they are just as effective for people of color. BOTOX®, Dyspor®t, and XEOMIN® are treatments that smooth wrinkles on the face for a more youthful look.

Get dermal fillers for any skin tone in San Jose, CA

Women of color may feel self-conscious about asking for dermal fillers. That's why it's crucial to see an experienced professional, like board-certified anesthesiologist Dr. Maia Chakerian if you have specific questions about fillers.

If you're in the San Jose, CA area and want to talk about which dermal fillers might be best for your purposes and skin tone, schedule a consultation at Sereno Santé today.

Dermal fillers can be used on any skin tone. But a doctor experienced in talking about the effects of fillers on different skin tones is key.