Dermal Fillers
What are dermal fillers?
As we age, skin loses elasticity and facial fat pads can migrate, causing sagging and defined wrinkles. Dermal fillers are gel substances used to contour, add volume or plump areas that have been affected in this way, due to age or scarring. Products such as Restylane and Juvederm are the main types of fillers used. These are non-animal based gels that are made from Hyaluronic acid which naturally occur in our skin and joints to increase hydration. Working with the body's own acid, these fillers smooth, fill and plump out lines and can instantly enhance lips. The final results depend on the type of filler you use and the initial problem area.
How do dermal fillers work?
Boosting the skin with additional Hyaluronic acid revitalises and adds volume to the skin, giving an instant boost to the appearance of lines and wrinkles and a healthy, natural look. The gel used in dermal fillers is tissue-friendly and represents the Hyaluronic acid that already exists in the body. It provides long lasting effects but they are not permanent.
What is involved in the dermal filler procedure?
Before the procedure you will go to an initial consultation. The doctor will discuss what you wish to achieve, assess your treatment needs and recommend which filler is most suitable. If you are comfortable with the options open to you, your practitioner will complete a medical history and consent form.
During the procedure, dermal fillers are injected into the skin in small amounts with a very fine needle. The treatment is quick and tends to take between 15-30 minutes. These injections do not affect facial expressions and results are usually seen instantly.
After the procedure, your practitioner will discuss a follow up appointment. As the products found in dermal fillers are biodegradable, they naturally disappear within the body. Long lasting results mean that a top up treatment may be advised after 6-12 months.
With any procedure, there may be some slight reactions. These include redness, swelling, itching, bruising and tenderness. However if any of these occur, they tend to disappear after one or two days after the injection.
Are dermal fillers safe?
Dermal fillers such as Restylane and Juvederm are the most documented treatments in the world, with many studies supporting their safety and efficacy. Restylane has been used in over 10 million treatments worldwide during the past 12 years with no major complications. Dermal fillers integrate with the skin tissue allowing the free passage of vital elements such as oxygen and hormones to produce healthy and natural skin and reduce in risk of an allergic reaction. Over time these are broken down by the body's normal biological process and removed. No long term problems have been recorded.
What are the benefits of dermal fillers?
Dermal filler injections are an easy solution to reducing the look of wrinkles, smoothing the skin and to give a more youthful appearance. After a single treatment, results can be seen instantly and can last from 6 to 12 months. Dermal fillers give a natural looking result that does not affect facial expressions. Your face changes over time and these injections allow you to control your looks subtly with age.
