Dermal fillers are the treatment of choice for the reduction of stubborn lines and the restoration of folds and hollows that start to appear as we grow older and facial volume naturally depletes. All our fillers contain hyaluronic acid, which is a naturally occurring substance that binds water under the skin, plumping it up and keeping it youthful looking. As we grow older, the levels of hyaluronic acid fall, resulting in a loss of this fullness. Dermal fillers temporarily refresh the skin’s lost hyaluronic acid. As a result, skin volume and tone are increased, lines reduced and fullness restored.
Medically, hyaluronic acid has been used for over 45 years by eye surgeons and later evolved for use in other medical areas. It has been used in fillers for over 15 years and is now considered the “gold standard” for filler treatments because it is extremely biocompatible, lasts well and produces such good results. Unlike other filler types, it is also reversible.
The procedure is simple and takes about 30 minutes. The filler is injected with very fine needles and because there is very little discomfort, the majority of patients choose to have minimal anaesthesia which is provided with a numbing cream, or occasionally, a dental injection. A review appointment is made after 2 weeks and further “touch ups” can be performed if necessary. The results are immediate although after treatment slight swelling and redness can appear, which fades over the following hours.
Hyaluronic acid is a natural sugar that is found in all living cells. As it is not extracted from animals, but is laboratory produced, there is very little risk of allergic reaction. It is so safe that a skin allergy test is not required. The main products used are Restylane and Juvederm which are the highest quality brand leaders with vast amounts of comprehensive scientific research to support their safety and efficacy.
Dermal fillers are a clear gel-like substance that are injected under lines and into areas of volume loss in order to smooth and lift the area and to help restore facial contours.
BOTOX is a protein that is injected into the muscles to relax them so that the lines that appear when you contract your muscles are reduced. Fillers work on deeper, static lines and are injected under the skin, lifting it up and smoothing it out. They can be used alone or in combination to provide a real yet subtle improvement in the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, folds and volume loss.
The result of dermal fillers are immediate and instantly visible after treatment. The longevity of the effects will vary from patient to patient and from site to site, and also with the thickness of the filler that is used. In general, most patients choose to have a touch-up treatment every 12-15 months.
As the fillers are made from a natural substance, they dissolve over time. The effects fade gradually as this happens and the skin looks like it did before treatment.
Most patients happily resume their normal activities straight after treatment, although temporary puffiness and redness may occur at the treated sites. For lip enhancement, swelling should be expected for up to 3 days and may take just over a week to fully settle in some people, and so this is best planned before your weekend, or if you have a few days off work.
In a small number of cases, some common injection related reactions may occur such as swelling, redness and possible bruising.
As the needles used to administer fillers are so fine, there is minimal discomfort. Numbing cream is always used at the treatment site and for areas that may require additional anaesthesia, such as the lips, a dental injection can always be easily given. In general, the majority of patients choose not to have anaesthesia other than numbing gel, as there is so little discomfort.
Yes. There are a small number of patients for whom treated is not recommended, or for whom treatment should be delayed. If you are currently having laser treatment or chemical peels, or suffering from active skin disease, it is best to wait until the effects of these have passed. Also, it is not recommended if you are pregnant, have an autoimmune disease, or suffer from severe allergies or keloid scarring.