One MEGA Editor takes the plunge and tries out dermal fillers for that #nofilterbeauty look

Your favorite celeb probably has fillers—so should you?

When I was younger, I lived up to and relished the idea of eternal youth. I’m still considered young by most, but now that I am approaching the tail-end of my 20s I’m starting to realize that what they say about youth is in fact true: your bad habits will catch up with you—and genetics will have a hand in your destiny.

All these I clearly saw in my body when I had a hard time shaking off vacation weight and saw the toll that junk food and stress took on my face. While I was able to work out the excess pounds, I was left with a sunken look around my eyes and more pronounced smile lines—the kind that remain even when you’re not smiling anymore. Concealers work and so do smartphone filters, but I wanted to look good all the time. The solution? Dermal fillers. Specifically Restalyne’s range of hyaluronic acid dermal fillers. Dermal fillers are clear, gel-like injectables used for various minimally-invasive cosmetic procedures. They can add volume to the face and lips, easing the look of wrinkles and fine lines, lift sagging areas and even re-shape a face. think of all your fave celebrities who suddenly have thinner, v-shaped faces—that’s not just genetics and healthy eating folks! In Restalyne’s case, their FDAapproved, hyaluronic acid based solutions help diminish wrinkles while restoring volume and fullness in the face and hands, acting like your body’s own naturally produced hyaluronic acid. This acid keeps the skin hydrated and firm through its ability to bind water and molecules. As we grow older our body produces less of this—hence why some of us turn to dermal fillers and other procedures.

For my hollow eyes and smile lines, I visited DermHQ, eager to find out more and to undergo the procedure. Dr. Gaile Robredo-Vitas took care of me, explaining the procedure concisely and assuring me of its safety. First, she examined my face to see which areas needed refreshing. Then, topical anesthesia was applied to numb them. With clean and gloved hands, Dr.

“THE KEY TO YOUR ‘WOKE UP LIKE THIS’ BEAUTY.

Robredo-Vitas gently disinfected my face with cotton and alcohol. Once the anesthesia kicked in and with my go signal, she proceeded to inject the fillers. She used a soft type of filler called Restylane Volyme, which is designed specifically for the temples, cheeks, lips, jawline, chin—areas that benefit from added volume and suppleness. It also often used for the delicate tear-trough area to add fullness, which is what she did to ease the sunken look around my eyes. There is minimal discomfort as the only thing you can actually feel is the needle entering the skin. Balance is key, so Dr. Robredo-Vitas made adjustments as she worked—adding a little bit here and there to ensure that my face was even. We were done in less than hour. As a bonus, she also filled up the tip of my chin with a denser filler to lend my face a narrower and more even look.

Immediately I looked more pleasant and fresh. You can expect some redness, pain, bruising and soreness afterwards. In my case I experienced just a little bit of soreness, but it was very minimal and I was able to go about my day without anyone noticing the work I had done. The result is subtle—exactly how I wanted it. "The effects look effortless and with these fillers, you just look like you had a really amazing sleep!” Says Dr. Robredo-Vitas. Restylane fillers last for a whole year. It dissolves slowly and is excreted naturally by your body. Unlike noninvasive procedures, you don’t have to keep coming back for touch ups—unless you want to.

Obviously as a twentysomething, I don’t really "need” fillers, no one does really. But I love it when people say I look more rested and less stressed—even without concealer and other makeup tricks. And to be honest it made me want to take care of my face and skin more. If it’s quick results and zero downtime you are looking for, then Restylane’s range of dermal fillers can be the key to your "woke up like this” beauty.