In 2020 alone, there were 15.6 million cosmetic procedures, 2.3 million surgical procedures, while 13.2 million minimally invasive procedures in the US. According to this trend, minimally invasive procedures such as dermal fillers, micro-needling, Botox, etc., form the most significant percentage. Dermal filling alone threatens to reach 6.64 billion by 2027, a CAGR of 9.3%.
Plastic surgeons perform dermal filler injections using either blunt tip cannula or the traditional sharp tip needles. Of late, the preference for blunt tip cannulas is on the rise as compared to the needles.
And that’s why the choice for blunt cannula filler injection is high and still progressing. Blunt tip cannula is minimally invasive and has little to no side effects, thus addressing most of the disadvantages of needle procedures. So, with appropriate training and use, a blunt tip cannula is potentially efficient that shouldn’t miss as a cosmetic injectable in a plastic surgeon’s tools.
What is a Blunt Tip Cannula?
A blunt tip cannula is a metal cylinder that has side ports used instead of needles. So, blunt cannula filler injection is a method that incorporates the use of a blunt needle to inject fillers. These fillers are, for instance, Belotero, Voluma, Juvederm, Radiesse, Sculptra, Restylane, Restylane, and Lyft, to name a few. These fillers are put at the same filler sites and are a popular way to smooth out lines and wrinkles. However, comparing the use of a cannula vs a needle, the cannula is more efficient.
With close relation to sharp needles, blunt tip cannula has some slight dissimilarities. Even though both were developed for use with hyaluronic and non-hyaluronic dermal fillers, the length and flexibility of blunt cannula are higher.
Also, while blunt tip cannula covers a significant area with one entry point during facial rejuvenation, sharp tip needles require numerous entry points to achieve the same aesthetic outcomes. As a result, their procedure is swift and less pain hence has little downtime than the hypodermic or the so-called needles.
What is Blunt Cannula Filler Injection?
Dermal fillers are one of the newest ways to keep your skin smooth and plump. Blunt cannula filler injection is a standard injectable procedure in which fillers are injected under the skin to remove scars, wrinkles, and creases. It is a nontoxic means that can instantly reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Several dermal fillers are on the market, including collagen, hyaluronic acid, Radiesse, etc.
The fillers made of hyaluronic acid work by helping to form collagen around it and produce elasticity in the tissues of your skin. It also helps to smooth out wrinkles and creases such as crow’s feet and frown lines. As well as improving the contour of your face, it can help to reduce signs of aging.
Dermal fillers such as Restylane and Juvederm are often used to correct these signs of aging like wrinkles and folds and create a more contoured, youthful appearance on the face. Also, they improve tear troughs under the eyes and reduce the appearance of “smokers” and smooth and perfect lines around the nose, mouth and ensure chin augmentation. They also provide improvement for lip augmentation.
The cannula is both painless and non-invasive for patients. But sometimes, the cannula technique may go wrong if the substance has been placed in the tissues near your nerves or blood vessels. So, it is vital to find out how to inject blunt cannula dermal filler correctly.
Learn why Blunt Cannula are Used for Filler Injections
While the striking difference between blunt tip cannula and the hypodermic needles is their tips, there are more reasons for the perfect fit as filler injections.
Since a cannula is blunt, it’s an excellent tool when undergoing filler injections. It provides an alternative to syringes for administering fillers, Radiesse in particular which is liquids rather than powders. This greatly decreases the risk of bruising and irritation since there is no force applied to the skin when the cannula is pressed against the tissue.
Some more reasons are summarized in the three characteristics below:
1. Blunt Cannula Tips are Flexible for Pain-free Injections
Since needles are characterized by stiff tubes, it’s easy for them to puncture the skin. And this ease of skin puncturing results in multiple entry points, and sometimes it might be on a delicate skin area, making the procedure quite throbbing for patients.
However, blunt tip cannulae are pretty friendly. Their flexible tubing reaches multiple areas with one piercing and one entry point at the dermal filling area. Plastic surgeons, in fact, find an easy time maneuvering with a cannula reaching a wider targeted area. And this makes them not the best but the most preferred tool by both the patient and the doctors.
2. Blunt Tip Cannulae are Long with Enhanced Filler Spread
Because flexibility is an added advantage to length, blunt tip cannula is always longer than needles. Needles have rigid tubing that doesn’t allow them to belong. So, the long cannula makes them have a generous flow of the fillers to the target area, making them essential for the best outcomes. Hence areas like the jawline that require a gentle application find cannula the best fit.
Their length also makes it easy for doctors to work considerably with local anesthesia because blunt tip cannula minimizes piercings. Therefore, with the exact dosage of localized anesthesia, more filler sites that are commonly unreachable are attended to without a direct entry point. This prevents the patient from undergoing excess pain.
3. Blunt Tip Spares Damage to Blood Vessels
Because cannula tips are blunt, they have no strength to pierce. For that reason, cannulae cannot penetrate vessels and injure them. Their structure of the end ensures the dermatologist’s maneuver underneath the skin while dodging the blood vessels. Consequently, evading postoperative complications.
Remember, most sites for dermal filling have a lot of blood vessels that are likely harmed and scarred by a sharp tip needle. And the worst thing, as mentioned, is that needles need multiple entry points, making it very easy to cause scarring, bruising, and swelling.
4. Blunt Tip Cannula is Accurate
While using a needle, it’s so hard for a plastic surgeon to avoid puncturing vessels. But using a cannula, it’s easy to establish when they’re almost striking a blood vessel or a nerve. For successful deep dermal treatment, you must have 100% accuracy. That’s why avoiding major blood vessels and arteries on the skin can be difficult when using needles. As a result, you may experience severe problems like venous occlusion.
The blunt tip cannula is excellent, too, with deep dermal filling. They can also promote desired aesthetic outcomes even to filler sites near the bone. In fact, it’s not easy to harm the upper skin layer while using a cannula. Using the blunt tips pushes away past the soft tissue that contains the blood vessels. So, the doctors can inject areas with the exact amount of fill required with no harm.
What are the Best Sites for Blunt Cannula Filler Injection?
Even though there’s no complete assurance of evading swelling and bruising during dermal filling, blunt tip cannulas have proved to alleviate about 90% of swelling. And you’ll notice that filler sites like around the eye, the lips with susceptibility of bruising blunt tip cannulas are used. You’ll find no visible signs of bruising or swelling.
Do you want to go on a date an hour after the procedure? It’s possible with microcannulas. 9 out of 10 people undergoing this procedure come out with no evidence of injections.
While most plastic surgeons vary about the best sites that cannulas work best, they both agree with these areas. Well, here are the sites:
1. Cheeks
Cheeks easily swell and bruise. Cannulas are therefore the perfect option for applying cheek fillers. Why? Cheeks have a large surface and are tender, so for perfect outcomes, the doctor should spread over the stuffing gently and evenly. Also, the blunt cannulas are flexible and move better by forcing aside the blood vessels without puncturing them. This makes them ideal for smooth filler distribution.
Furthermore, since cheeks are positioned well for areas that might need filling, like under the eyes, they are the best place to make the entry point. Besides, an entry point here means fewer worries of injection of fillers into arteries, causing injuries.
2. Lips
Most patients keep complaining of sensitivity after dermal filling with hypodermic needles on lips.
Since lips are full of blood vessels and nerve endings, cannulas are best suited to deliver the fillers without puncturing the blood vessels. They can maneuver to the lips without having a direct entry point.
Besides, they can effectively navigate the soft tissue with more minor issues for desired outcomes. And the beauty of it all is that a smaller amount of filler is used in every filling.
3. Jawline
The jawline is the outline of the lower edge of someone’s jaw. For its shaping, it needs a lot more tact to get it right. Therefore, since cannulas require fewer injections, have little or no cases of swelling, have a little downtime, and the fact that they spread a little filler evenly at a time, cannulas are just perfect for jawlines. Furthermore, their procedure is pain-free.
And the fact that micro cannulas hinder harm to the adjacent areas to the jawbone makes them the doctors’ choice. Remember, their flexibility makes it easy for a dermatologist to adjust to the filler required with no fears of injuring any nerve or blood vessels.
More so, first-timers in facial dermal filling have a better experience with blunt tip cannulas than needles.
Is a Blunt Tip Cannula Injection Procedure Painful?
Though cannulas are blunt, they can make a precision injection, which doesn’t guarantee a painless dermal filler treatment. Using a cannula has some degree of pain. And so, if you have a high pain threshold, there’s no harm in seeking local anesthesia for a pain-free procedure.
In addition, because cannulas may not make an incision and a needle is needed to make an entry before inserting the cannulas, there’s the possibility of pain and discomfort. So, it’s suitable for the surgeon to prepare your expectations. Is it a painful procedure or painless? Remember, blunt tip cannulas are a less painful process, unlike the use of needles.
Therefore, use cannulas when:
- You want a quick healing time.
- You don’t wish to bruise or swelling post-operation.
- The area to be filled is delicate and cannot be injected directly.
- You want an unceasing filler flow.
- The filler is being applied directly on top of the dermal structure.
Where to Get Blunt Tip Cannula
Blunt tip cannulas are minimally invasive and therefore perfect for dermal filling. For that reason, they give doctors more confidence in accessing and maneuvering near temperate regions for an effective filler spread. And this is why they have a short downtime.
There are plenty of medical spas and dermatological hospitals that offer blunt cannula filler injection services. For instance, there’s Face med, the Victorian Cosmetic Institute, Yastrid Medical Aesthetics, and many more. A little focus on Yastrid. Yastrid is among the best. It has extensive product research and development to produce high-quality blunt tip cannulas yet at affordable prices. Besides, with a compassionate staff, best services, and excellent aesthetic outcomes, it’s a place worth a try!
Conclusion
There are varied ways to rejuvenate our facial looks. You can lift through thread lifting, perform skin tightening through dermal fillers or enhance the color and texture of the skin with no surgery.
So, dermal fillers with blunt tip cannulas, unlike needles, have given excellent results for fuller cheeks, a perfect jawline, and a more youthful appearance. This filler procedure is one of the time-tested and effective ways to rejuvenate and beautify your skin. Do not forget blunt cannula treat symptoms of facial aging like deep nasolabial folds (the vertical creases that run onto your lips), lines, and other aging signs.
Cannulae, a natural part of a skincare professional’s toolkit, come in various sizes and styles. The decisions made regarding their use are determined by the technician’s occupation, skill level, and personal preference.
You now have a distinct picture of what it is, the structure, the downsides, its accuracy, and the sites it’s best suited to. Therefore, do not hesitate to go for that procedure; it’s worth it! Remember, you can have the best recommendation and tools from Yastrid Medical Aesthetics.