Dermal fillers are used to restore volume and contour to the face, lost during the normal ageing process.
Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers are used to restore volume and contour to the face which has been lost during the ageing process.
As we age, we experience changes in all tissue layers of the face including bone, fat pads and skin which leads to the general appearance of shadowing, line formation and laxity.
Dermal fillers are used to restore and revolumise these areas using a gel-like material which is injected carefully into the face after a thorough assessment.
In my clinic, I use only the safest reversible hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers including those by the Swiss brand Teoxane. Their brand of RHA dermal fillers are FDA approved and were awarded the Best Injectable Product UK, Europe and Worldwide in the Diamond Awards for Safety in Beauty (2022). This superb range of fillers is designed to work dynamically with the movement of the face and can be used to recreate extremely natural results in the most mobile areas of the face.
HA is a large sugar molecule found naturally in the body- the main difference being that the HA molecules in fillers are joined together by a process called “cross- linking” to stop them being broken down immediately and flushed out of the body. As such, they are gradually resorbed by the body over a period of time and may be dissolved in an emergency if necessary, giving them an excellent safety profile.
The whole process is tailored carefully to your individual concerns after a thorough assessment and discussion. This is why it is important that you receive a full consultation prior to any treatment where everything can be explained in detail before you decide to proceed.
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Prices
Staging treatment with dermal fillers for gradual enhancement
Aliya’s approach is “less is more”. The effect of filler is a “buildable” one so she usually only starts with 2-3 vials. This is for a number of reasons; the results evolve more subtly, there is less down-time and as the filler absorbs water, there will be further enhancement.
For example, for a full face treatment, Aliya would usually begin with the midface. As you can see from the image below, the young face is triangular with few hollows and shadows. As ageing progresses, there is a loss of support in the midface due to both bony and soft tissue changes. This lack of support leads to sagging of the tissues in the lower face.
Clients often come for treatment complaining of jowelling and asking for filler in the lower face and most particularly in the cheek to nose folds (nasolabial folds) and the mouth to chin folds (marionettes). Injecting filler into these areas first would only increase the width of the lower face, creating an unflattering heaviness here.
Treating the midface, however recreates the scaffolding that has been lost, lifting the sagging tissues in the lower face and reducing the quantity of filler that is eventually needed to treat this area.
The whole process is tailored carefully to your individual concerns after careful assessment and discussion. This is why it is important that you receive a full consultation prior to any treatment where everything can be explained in detail and you can ask any questions before you decide to proceed.
Get in touch today to find out how I can help, or book your free consultation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly are dermal fillers?
Dermal filler injections are administered using a small needle or a cannula (a blunt ended tube) or both. They are pre-packaged in a box containing sterile needles, product labels and a preloaded syringe. The syringe contains a clear gel-like substance which consists of a water-based carrier gel, hyaluronic acid (HA) and may contain lidocaine, a local anaesthetic to make the treatment more comfortable.
HA is a naturally occurring substance which is a major component if skin and has a function in wound healing, hydration and cell to cell communication. One of its main characteristics is that it effectively binds water like a sponge, making it effective tissue filler.
What should I expect during treatment?
As discussed you should have a full consultation with the taking of a full medical history and offered a cooling off period to allow informed consent with full disclosure of risks and side effects. Costs should be discussed and a consent form signed with the opportunity to ask further questions given.
Photographs should be taken pre-post treatment.
The practitioner should discuss the treatment with you; giving you a realistic expectation of what they feel is achievable.
A topical cream may be applied prior to treatment and the area disinfected. If a needle is used, you should expect to feel several pin pricks and a scratching sensation, possibly with some mild burning as the product is injected.
If a cannula is used, the practitioner again numb up the insertion site, which can in itself feel like a mild burning or stinging sensation. Cannulas create an odd pulling and tugging sensation as they are positioned under the skin.
Treatment itself usually takes around 30 minutes depending on the extent of treatment.
The practitioner may disinfect or massage the skin after treatment and give advice on any aftercare advice (see earlier).
Is it safe?
HA is a naturally occurring sugar found in skin so HA fillers are considered very safe when treatment is received from a reputable practitioner .
Complications may arise if post-operative advice isn’t followed . Other factors may include poor skin condition, underlying medical conditions/medications as well as practitioner training and experience
Is it painful?
Dermal filler treatment is not always pain free and it is generally wise to expect some degree of discomfort during the procedure.
Numbing cream can be applied and many products do contain local anaesthetic but individual pain tolerance can vary as can the sensitivity of different areas of the face.
The lips are a particularly tender area and generally not treated without topical anaesthetic. However, local anaesthetic can distort the anatomy of the tissues and to some degree; perception of pain allows a greater degree of safety to be maintained as pain is often a “warning” sign.
How soon will I see the results?
Unlike wrinkle-smoothing injections, the effect of dermal fillers can be seen instantly. However, they do take some time to “integrate” and smooth into the face which again depends upon the thickness of the product and the skin/ area of the face. It is important not to panic about an initial lumpiness or bumpiness as this will settle within a few days to a month following treatment.
Very thick products may be felt for even longer over superficial bony areas although will not be visible to the naked eye.
How long does the effect last?
The duration of dermal fillers shows some variation depending on a number of factors but is now believed to be longer than previously thought due to integration of the product into the tissues of the face.
Generally as a rule of thumb, thinner products used in more mobile areas of the face (like the lips), last for shorter periods than thicker products used more deeply in static areas of the face.
However, this might not always seem to be the cases as the products that are more superficially placed tend to be more visible so noticed more.
What advice should I follow afterwards?
After treatment we advise you to avoid alcohol as it can result in fluid retention, something you don’t really need after having the injections. Aim to drink water instead which can help to combat bruising and excess water retention.
Take care not to touch your skin for the first 24 hours to reduce infection risk . Try where possible to avoid any other skin treatments or dental work for a week or so after.
As far as exercise goes it is best to delay any strenuous activity for at least 24 hours .
If you need to take anything for pain relief then paracetamol is recommended instead of blood thinning medications like aspirin and ibuprofen.
How long does the treatment take to work?
Unlike wrinkle-smoothing injections, the effect of dermal fillers can be seen instantly. However, they do take some time to “integrate” and smooth into the face which again depends upon the thickness of the product and the skin/ area of the face. It is important not to panic about an initial lumpiness or bumpiness as this will settle within a few days to a month following treatment.
Very thick products may be felt for even longer over superficial bony areas although will not be visible to the naked eye.
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