The definition of dermal in the Oxford Dictionary is ‘relating to the skin or dermis’, while filler means ‘a substance used for filling cracks or holes in a surface, especially before painting it’.1
The simplicity of the wording choice, ‘dermal filler’, perhaps was relevant at its inception when the filler was injected within the dermal layers. However, I believe that the nomenclature ‘dermal filler’ is not reflective of the complexity, sophistication and the five decades of research, which have gone into developing and refining these products.
Today, the name doesn’t take into consideration the advances made with dermal fillers, which reflects the limitations in our understanding – and perhaps complacency – in thinking up a new name for the products. Our inquisitive and curious nature favours that we delve more into the advancement of science to achieve higher levels of excellence.
Patients’ and clinicians’ demands have been the main driver behind advances in dermal fillers. These demands include longer-lasting, biocompatible and affordable products, which achieve natural outcomes…
