How dermal fillers can restore more youthful facial expressions

When carrying out aesthetic treatments, such as dermal fillers, it’s important to consider facial dynamics. To achieve a natural-looking rejuvenation, the face needs to look more youthful both when still and moving.

New research demonstrates that dermal fillers don’t just add volume, they also restore rejuvenated facial dynamics.

About the research

The research, published in February 2020, aimed to assess to what extent dermal fillers improved the youthfulness of facial expressions.

A group of thirty women, aged between 41 and 65, were given dermal filler treatment to reduce the appearance of nasolabial folds (shown in blue below) and marionette lines (shown in green).

The group’s facial movements were videoed before the treatment and again forty-two days later. The videos were then compared to similar recordings from a group of 25 to 35 year olds, who had received no treatment.

The researchers then assessed the results in three dimensions and created a ‘heat map’ showing how the face moved and where more or less strain was being placed upon the skin.

What the researchers found

As expected, the dermal fillers had softened the nasolabial folds and marionette lines, so they were less noticeable. But this isn’t what the researchers were looking at – they wanted to see whether the facial movements had also become more youthful.

They assessed how much strain was required to make a series of facial expressions, such as smiling or puckering lips. Then they compared the results to the pre-treatment recordings and the results for younger women.

They found that, after dermal filler treatment, the patients had facial dynamics which more closely resembled those of younger women. This was particularly true in the marionette line region, where there was a significant reduction in strain.

What does this mean for our patients?

This research helps to reinforce the overall rejuvenating benefits of dermal fillers. It shows that they don’t just soften lines and folds, they rejuvenate your face in many different ways.

So, after your treatment, don’t just take a photo for Instagram…take a video!

Book your dermal filler appointment

If you’d like to experience the rejuvenating effects of dermal fillers for yourself, then book an appointment to see one of our Save Face accredited practitioners at our London Harley Street, Richmond Upon Thames, Huntingdon, Peterborough, Reading or Sevenoaks clinics.

More information about the research

American and Canadian researchers, along with Galderma Laboratories, conducted this research. It was reported in the article An Objective, Quantitative, Dynamic Assessment of Hyaluronic Acid Fillers That Adapt to Facial Movement (by Ivona Percec M.D., Ph.D., Vince Bertucci M.D., Nowell Solish M.D., Ted Wagner B.A., Alessandra Nogueira M.D. and Jay Mashburn Ph.D. ).