Getting dermal fillers seems like a pretty straightforward process – all you have to do is sit back and let the doctor inject your problem areas with your filler of choice using a needle. But, did you know there’s an alternative to using a needle to help fill in your fine lines? Dr. Philpott and his team of expert aestheticians are big supporters of using a cannula to help deliver and distribute your dermal fillers, and here’s why.
What is a Cannula?
Never heard of a cannula before? You’re probably not the only one. A cannula is a fancy name for a thin, long hollow tube that looks very similar to a needle. In fact, it can be really difficult to tell the difference between the two when they’re sitting side-by-side. The difference between a needle and a cannula is in the tip. While a needle has a sharp end, a cannula has a blunt, rounded tip at the end. Instead of piercing all the way through with a needle-like with traditional filler treatments, a needle will be used to puncture the skin and the cannula will be threaded through to deliver and distribute your product. While this may sound unnecessary, there is a multitude of benefits to using a cannula instead of a needle.
What are the Benefits of Using a Cannula for Dermal Fillers?
Benefits of using a cannula to deliver your dermal fillers include:
• Less Pain during Treatment
Using a needle to be injected multiple times for one filler treatment can be painful. Even with the use of topical anesthetics, the sharp puncture of a needle tip is not comfortable. A cannula is often more flexible than a needle, meaning it can distribute your product in a larger area through just one entry point, rather than having to create multiple punctures in the skin.
• Decreased Risk of Bleeding and Bruising
While the sharp end of a needle often pierces veins and arteries beneath the skin, the blunt tip of a cannula simply pushes past them. By avoiding any punctures to veins and arteries, your risks of bleeding during treatment are dramatically reduced, which reduces your risk of bruising following your treatment.
• More Precise
The blunt tip of a cannula can allow your doctor or nurse injector to be more precise. Without having to worry about disrupting any veins or arteries nearby, the product can be better distributed through your jawline, laugh lines, cheeks, lips, marionette lines and under-eyes.
When are Needles Still Right for Dermal Fillers?
Using a cannula for all of your filler needs may sound like a no-brainer, but needles are still number one when it comes to filling delicate areas like the cupids bow or fine lines right at the skin’s surface. Needles are also great for getting small touch-ups done between your regularly-scheduled filler appointments.
It’s about time you ditch the needle! Contact us today to schedule your one-on-one consultation with Dr. Philpott and ask about how you can get your filler done with a cannula from now on.
