What is dermal filler?

Dermal fillers give strength and structure to your tissues. They are most often used to fill deep lines, replace lost tissue volume, and add definition to facial features. Temporary dermal fillers are made of Hyaluronic Acid, a naturally occurring sugar chain molecule found in your skin and soft tissues throughout the body. This is injected under the skin as a sterile gel at targeted points and depths to achieve the desired result.

How dermal fillers work

Hyaluronic acid provides instant volume at the time of treatment. Over the next 48 hours, it attracts and binds water molecules (1000 water molecules to each HA molecule), so that the treated area develops further volume through hydration and integrates smoothly with your tissues. This is why you are advised to drink plenty of water after your treatment. It also stimulates your body to produce more of your own collagen! So, this treatment works both immediately and in the long term.

Where do dermal fillers go?

Dermal fillers can be used to treat the following areas:

• Forehead
• Temples
• Eyebrows
• Cheeks
• Nose
• Nasolabial folds (nose to mouth)
• Lips
• Lip lines
• Marionette lines + Smile lines
• Chin
• Jawline

What to expect

1. Consultation

At consultation, we will discuss your main skin concerns and the treatment options available, including common side effects and possible complications. After checking your medical health history, if treatment is safe for you, we will sign a consent form and go ahead with planned treatment.

2. Treatment

At treatment, a topical anaesthetic cream may be used to numb the skin. A fine needle is used to inject the gel, which also contains a local anaesthetic to reduce discomfort. Finally the treated area is massaged to make sure the gel is evenly distributed.

3. Review two weeks later (optional)

Assessment is advised at 2 weeks to allow for any mild swelling which may occur, to subside.

Are dermal filler results instant?

Results will be seen instantly and further develop over the following days with plenty of water to drink.

Are dermal fillers permanent?

We only use a temporary dermal filler called Juvederm (Vycross range by Allergan). Results usually last between 6 to 18 months, depending on area treated.

You may wish to repeat treatment when the effect diminishes.
If you choose not to have further treatment, your skin will simply return to its previous state.

Are dermal fillers safe?

Dermal fillers are safe but not risk free. Temporary dermal fillers made of non-animal, stabilised hyaluronic acid are safest, as they have low risk for causing allergic reactions and can be reversed with Hyaluronidase.

TREATMENT SHOULD BE POSTPONED IF YOU HAVE:

• Current bacterial skin infection
• Recent dental treatment
• Active cold sores / herpes simplex virus

TREATMENT SHOULD BE AVOIDED IF:

• Pregnancy or breast-feeding
• Blood-thinning medication (such as Warfarin or Clopidogrel) or bleeding disorder
• Keloid scarring
• Previous permanent dermal fillers or facial surgery
• Previous known allergy to dermal filler or local anaesthetic

IF TREATMENT WITH DERMAL FILLER IS NOT SAFE FOR YOU, OTHER OPTIONS INCLUDE:

• Cosmetic Acupuncture
• Dermarolling
• Light Therapy

Possible side effects

• Asymmetry of facial features present before the treatment can be improved but may not be fully corrected.
• Common side effects include redness, swelling, bruising, tenderness
• Uncommon side effects include inflammation, infection, allergy or hypersensitivity reactions, persistent lumps.
• Rare but serious side effects include interruption of blood supply causing skin damage or blindness.

Precare advice

• Remove make-up before coming to clinic to reduce risk of infection.
• If you become unwell or develop an active skin infection, such as acne or cold sores, please contact the clinic as your treatment may need to be postponed for your safety.
• Be aware some medications or supplements can increase your risk of bruising and it may be advisable to stop taking these 1 week before treatment:
  • Ginkgo Biloba, Omega-3, Ginseng, St john’s wort, Vitamin A, C, or E
  • Consider stopping Aspirin, Ibuprofen (other NSAIDs)
• If you have any questions, please contact the clinic.

Aftercare advice

• Keep the treated area clean and dry to prevent infection.
• Avoid alcohol, vigorous exercise, extremes of temperature, and facial massage for 14 days after treatment to reduce swelling risk.
• Avoid non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (such as ibuprofen) for 24 hours to reduce the risk of bruising. Take paracetamol for any discomfort.
• Be cautious with facials using radio frequency, ultrasound, galvanic, and electric elements. It is not clear how this affects filler, it may cause it to dissolve quicker.
• Reactions are usually mild and last up to 1 week (see side-effects).
• Bruising can be improved by applying arnica cream, eating pineapple cores (containing bromelain), and avoiding blood-thinning medications.
• Contact the clinic if any unexpected side effects occur.
• Severe allergic reactions need immediate medical attention at your nearest Emergency Department by calling 999 for an ambulance.
• Symptoms can include shortness of breath, wheezing, difficulty in swallowing, swelling of the tongue, eyelids, lips.