Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers fill lines and wrinkles and add volume to areas such as your lips or cheeks. Fillers are not permanent.

What is hyaluronic acid?

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring sugar chain molecule found in all skin and soft tissues throughout the body, identical across species. It attracts and binds water in the skin, providing volume and hydration, but also ‘cushioning’ and supporting collagen and elastin fibres and providing a medium, or carrier, for chemical messages between the cells. Dermal fillers are manufactured, usually through fermentation and cross linking with proteins to produce a clear, sterile gel for injection into the skin.

In the UK, there are over 160 brands on the market due in some part to weak regulation. Not all hyaluronic acids are the same and legitimate brands are NOT available for general sale on the internet and should only be administered by trained clinicians. Each brand has a range of ‘tissue tailored’ products designed for specific results. One size does not fit all.

Leading and well established brands include, but are not limited to:

Juvederm™ (FDA 2006)

Restylane™ (FDA 2003)

Belotero™ (FDA 2011)

Teosyal™

Emervel™

How does it work?

Hyaluronic acid dermal fillers are a clear sterile gel in a syringe for injection into the skin providing instant correction. It is used to:

-To correct or enhance facial contours; cheeks, temples, jawline, nose and chin.

-To define, correct or enhance lips.

-To soften and correct facial wrinkles or folds.

-To improve the tone, texture and hydration of the skin

Does it hurt?

Most leading brands also contain a local anaesthetic and most clinicians will apply topical anaesthetic cream, prior to treatment to numb the skin. Treatment need not be painful. After treatment your practitioner will provide aftercare advice designed to minimise risk and promote speedy recovery from any expected side effects.

Most people are able to continue with normal activities with immediate improvement in their appearance. Some will have redness, pin prick marks, possibly swelling – particularly in the lips. Possibly bruising. Any swelling and bruising may be more apparent the next day. Make up should not be worn for 12 hours.

You will advised to avoid alcohol, vigorous exercise, sunbathing, and extremes of heat or cold for 14 days post treatment.

What to expect from your treatment?

Longevity does vary between products, and between individuals, but most will last between 6 months and 18 months.

All treatments carry a degree of risk. All risks and complications will be discussed with you at consultation and prior to any treatment being agreed. Dermal fillers should be administered by a healthcare professional with specialist training.

Side effects include, but are not limited to;

-Bruising

-Swelling

-Redness

-Itching

-Tenderness

The above are temporary and usually resolve within the first few days. Swelling is often marked the next morning but settles within hours. Bruising can take a week to 10 days to resolve and can sometimes persist longer.

Am I suitable for treatment?

For anti-ageing treatments, all skin types and tones from ages 28 and up will benefit the most from The SkinBase™ Facial. HoweveraThere are a number of medical conditions and/or medications that may affect the decision to treat or carry out the treatment plan. A full medical history and assessment of your expectations is necessary in advance of any decision making.

With any injectable treatment Please be aware:….

-Treatment is not recommended if you are suffering from any skin infection in or near the treatment area or are unwell in any way. (even a cold)

-If you have previously experienced allergic reactions to any dermal filler or local anaesthetic.

-If you are taking any mediations which affect bleeding, such as aspirin or warfarin.

-If you are taking steroids or have autoimmune disease.

-If you have any bleeding disorders.

-If you suffer from a poorly controlled medical condition.

-If you are currently pregnant or breastfeeding.

-If you currently or have recently completed a course of Roacutane (Isotretinoin acne treatment) in the last 18 months.