Are you looking to improve facial contours, smoothen wrinkles, soften lines, and replace lost volume? Dermal fillers are minimally invasive and a perfect answer to your cosmetic treatments.
However, the success of these treatments depends on the type of filler used and the choice of needle size. So, how do you choose? When selecting the ideal needle size for dermal fillers, consider the treatment region, filler viscosity, and intended result.
So, to reduce stress and ensure precision, use lower gauge needles, such as 30G, for delicate areas like the lips or tear troughs. On the other hand, larger gauge needles (like 25G) might be appropriate for areas like the jawline or cheeks that need greater volume or thicker fillers.
But why does needle size matter so much, and how can practitioners make the best choice for their patients? Stick around; this guide has the answers you need.
Why Needle Size Matters
Aesthetic injectables might sound scary, 20% of people have a phobia of needles. Therefore, the needle’s size is quite essential for comfort and results. Using a too-small needle for a thick filler can be similar to forcing viscous honey through a straw. It may result in excessive pressure, skewing the filler placement, or even breaking the needle. On the other hand, using a big needle for a thin filler may cause tissue damage and undesirable markings.
While it sounds complicated, let’s break down what’s involved in needle selection:
Needle Gauge
What is meant by needle gauge? It measures the needle’s diameter; smaller numbers indicate thicker needles, while larger numbers indicate thinner finer ones. Because of their density and flow resistance, larger gauge needles—typically 25 to 27—are perfect for thicker fillers since they provide smooth insertion without undue strain. On the other hand, thinner fillers, such as those for small wrinkles, work best when injected using finer gauge needles (30–32), which provide more comfort and accurate application.
Needle Length
The desired location for injection determines the length. Here’s a breakdown:
- Shorter needles (around 4mm) are perfect for lips and other places with little underlying tissue for accurate filler insertion.
- Medium-length needles (about 8–10 mm) are perfect for locations that need deeper injections than lips but aren’t as deep as cheeks. Some of these areas include the tear troughs or nasolabial folds, the lines that go from the nose to the mouth.
- Longer needles (up to 13mm): These needles volumize areas deep within the tissue, including the jawline or cheeks.
Choosing for Comfort and Control
While gauge and length are essential, injector preference and patient comfort also play a role. Regular needles have a larger inner diameter than thin-walled needles, which allows for smoother insertion and less discomfort, especially in sensitive areas like the lips. Patients undergoing lip augmentation prefer thin-walled needles.
Microcannulas are a newer technology that resembles tiny tubes with blunt tips. They offer more precise placement and can reduce swelling and bruising. Microcannulas are becoming increasingly popular, especially in delicate areas around the eyes.
The Impact of Needle Size
Determining the correct needle size is crucial for several reasons:
- The gauge and length of the needle can significantly impact the patient’s comfort during and after the surgery.
- When injecting fillers, accuracy is essential, particularly in small or delicate places where the appropriate needle size can make a big difference.
- Selecting the right needle can minimize the chance of bruising, bleeding, and other adverse effects.
- A larger gauge needle may distribute a thicker filler more evenly, whereas a thinner gauge needle may deposit the filler in a more concentrated area.
- A thicker needle may put more strain on the filler during injection, which may cause some product breakdown and reduce its effectiveness. Waste: Because larger needles have a larger internal volume, some filler may be wasted inside the needle.
What are the Functions of Dermal Fillers
Before you settle for the best needle size for dermal fillers, you must understand the functions of dermal fillers. In cosmetic operations, dermal fillers are best for many different purposes. Below is a summary of their primary roles:
Restoring Lost Volume
Naturally, our bodies produce less collagen and hyaluronic acid as we age. It causes the face to lose volume, which results in wrinkles, sagging skin, and hollowness. Dermal fillers will restore lost volume and give you the illusion of youth by adding volume to the cheeks, temples, and lips.
Smoothing Wrinkles and Lines
Over time, repeated motions and facial expressions can cause wrinkles and lines to appear. When appropriately injected, dermal fillers can fill in these depressions, smoothing out wrinkles and giving the appearance of more renewed skin.
Enhancing Specific Facial Features
Fillers can add fullness to the lips, define the jawline, or sculpt the chin, among other specific facial features. It may result in a more harmonious and attractive face profile.
Scar Reduction
Dermal fillers can reduce the visibility of acne scars or other scars by filling in creases and smoothing the surface.
Hydration and Skin Rejuvenation
Hyaluronic acid, an ingredient in certain fillers, helps moisturize the skin and add volume. It may result in a more elastic, plump, and radiant complexion.
Selecting the Right Needle Size
Success in using needles mostly depends on selecting the appropriate instrument for the task. As a medical professional, you must choose the right needle to achieve the desired results with the least harm.
Filler Type Considerations
Dermal fillers vary widely in composition and viscosity, necessitating different needle sizes for optimal injection. Thicker fillers, designed for volume and deeper wrinkles, require larger gauge needles to facilitate injection. For instance, a larger needle should be 27-gauge to prevent pressure build-up and ensure smooth injection. Thinner fillers, used for fine lines and detailed contouring, can be administered with finer needles. They flow easily through smaller needles, especially the 30-gauge.
Treatment Area Specifics
What’s your intended treatment area? It also dictates the choice of needle.
For example,
- Depth of Injection: The injection depth needed varies depending on the location. Because lips have less tissue, your practitioner will use shorter needles of about 4mm for accurate implantation. Because cheeks have deeper structures, you may need needles of up to 13 mm to reach the desired layer.
- Sensitivity of the Area: Thin-skinned or eye-area regions are particularly vulnerable to bruises. In this case, microcannulas or thinner-walled needles—the same inner diameter but a smaller outer diameter—provide greater control and may lessen these adverse effects.
Patient-Specific Factors
Every patient’s skin is unique, with thickness, elasticity, and sensitivity variations. These differences require your doctor to use a tailored approach to needle selection to ensure effectiveness and comfort.
You may need slightly larger needles to guarantee accurate filler implantation if you have thicker skin. Moreover, if you are less tolerant of pain, a needle with a thinner wall might lessen the prickling sensation in certain situations.
Since no two patients are the same, success depends on personalization. Your doctor should use a flexible approach to determine the appropriate needle size for best outcomes. Some essential things include considering the patient’s anatomy, past filler injection experiences, and the specific aims of the treatment. Practitioners should be ready to modify their strategy in response to any rapid input received during the procedure.
Safety and Technique
Beyond needle size, the success of filler injections relies on your practitioner’s technique and adherence to safety protocols. Proper training in facial anatomy, filler rheology, and injection strategies is essential to mitigate risks and achieve desirable outcomes.
A good example is an excessively lengthy needle that increases the chance of unintentionally puncturing a nerve or blood artery. Has your doctor selected the correct length according to the target area? It is vital as it ensures safety and accuracy.
Denser fillers require a stronger needle to prevent bending or shattering during injection. A skilled medical practitioner will choose a needle that perfectly balances flexibility and strength.
Cannula vs. Needle
Both needles and cannulas are utilized for injecting dermal filler, although each has specific benefits and drawbacks. The following breakdown will assist you in deciding which could be a better fit for you:
Choosing a Needle
So, why should you prefer a needle to a cannula for your procedures? Below are some advantages and disadvantages to help you make your choice.
Advantages
- Needles provide excellent control for precisely injecting tiny amounts of filler. It is the best way to target fine wrinkles or get a defined appearance.
- Needles are widely available in various gauges (thicknesses) and lengths to accommodate different fillers and treatment areas.
- If you’re on a budget, then needles are your best choice. Needles often cost less than cannulas.
Disadvantages
- Sharp needle tips might increase discomfort and bleeding during injections.
- Problems are more likely if the pointed tip punctures a blood artery or nerve.
- If you want to treat a greater region, the needles must be punctured multiple times, which could result in additional bruising and swelling.
Cannula Selection
Cannulas have their benefits, but there are reasons or two that might put you off. Here are the advantages and disadvantages:
Advantages
- The blunt tip of a cannula minimizes tissue disruption, leading to less swelling, bruising, and faster healing times.
- Cannulas generally cause less discomfort during injection due to their blunt tip.
- Cannulas can be threaded through tissue planes, allowing filler placement over a larger area with fewer puncture points.
- Cannulas are safer for areas with thin skin or a high concentration of blood vessels and nerves.
Disadvantages
- Due to their blunt tip and larger size, cannulas are less suitable for highly accurate work or injecting thin lines.
- A proficient practitioner must employ a distinct and more specialized injection method to use cannulas efficiently.
- Compared to needles, cannulas can be more costly.
- Because of the cannula’s reduced diameter, very thick fillers may not pass through it quickly.
What is a Multi Injector Needle?
A multi-injector needle is a disposable device that comes in a cartridge with several microscopic needles already built instead of a single needle. Particularly for mesotherapy treatments, these needles are made especially for injecting dermal fillers.
I have provided a summary of multi-injector needles below:
Function
Each multi-injector has many tiny needles (usually three to seven) organized in a triangular, circular, or linear pattern.
Besides, when you concurrently inject the filler through each needle, the device minimizes the number of puncture sites required to treat a greater region.
Advantages
- Using multiple needles at once can significantly shorten the duration of therapy compared to utilizing single needles.
- You’ll experience less pain overall with fewer puncture sites.
- Thanks to the needles’ pre-determined size and spacing, the filler is delivered consistently and precisely across the treatment region.
- Following the operation, there is a decreased chance of bruising and swelling since there is less tissue damage.
Common Uses
Mesotherapy: In this method, tiny amounts of hyaluronic acid, vitamins, and minerals are injected into the skin’s middle layer. Multiple injectors are perfect for mesotherapy because they can provide accurate, low-dose injections over a broader region.
Wrinkle Reduction: Multiple injectors are necessary for wrinkle reduction treatments, such as fine lines or superficial wrinkles, where even filler distribution is crucial.
Consult a Professional
It is advisable to delegate the delicate task of selecting the appropriate needle size to a trained healthcare provider. They’ll take into account things like:
- The particular filler material: Every brand has unique qualities.
- Goaled result: Gradual improvement or drastic adjustment?
- Anatomy of the patient: Thickness of the skin and underlying structures are essential.
Be bold about getting clarification! Gaining an understanding of the selection process will reduce your fear and give you the ability to participate in reaching your goals. If you have the correct needle, your journey toward a more confident and refreshed self can be easy with dermal filler.
Furthermore, the discipline of aesthetics is dynamic, with constant improvements to tools and methods. Are you keeping yourself up-to-date with continuous education? Continuous education is necessary for practitioners dedicated to excellence to improve their practice and decision-making process. They must stay up to date on the newest advancements.
Conclusion
Appropriate needle size for dermal fillers is essential for a safe and comfortable procedure. Length and gauge are the main variables determining needle size. The gauge should be the same as the filler’s viscosity. The length is selected according to the treatment area—longer needles are necessary for deeper places. Choosing the correct needle size for dermal fillers requires deep material understanding, facial anatomy knowledge, and prioritizing patient safety. This choice impacts filler precision and patient experience. Shop at Diaminy online for the ideal needle for a successful surgery after considering your needs and the type of filler.
