What are dermal fillers?
 

Dermal fillers are gels that are used for smoothing facial lines, wrinkles and folds, for lip enhancement and for shaping facial contours. Basically, when you look in the mirror if you can see wrinkles when your not expressing, then fillers might be for you.

Our  product is made by a Swedish biotechnology company whose products are based on its patented fromula. Since its launch in 1996, this product has been used in over 1,500,000 treatments and in over 60 countries worldwide. It is a prescription only medication and is therefore only available from a doctor.

Dermal fillers come in a variety of thicknesses for a variety of areas. The standard product is a clear, transparent and viscous gel and is used to correct wrinkles and lines and to enhance lips. We use a similar, but thicker and more viscous gel, for shaping facial contours, deeper folds and increasing the volume of the lips. We will advise you which dermal filler is the most suitable for you.

How do dermal fillers work?
The main ingredient, is based on a naturally occurring product and is identical in all species and all tissue types. Each of the products we use is based on this ingredient and thus can be used safely in many medical applications.  As a non-animal product, there is low risk of disease transmission or allergic reactions in patients who may be sensitive to common foods such as meat or eggs.

The dermal filler is injected directly into the lines, folds or lips. After injection, it attracts water molecules to the area and remains in place for many months. The dermal filler gives natural volume and smooths wrinkles or enhances the lips. As the main ingredient is based on a naturally occurring material in the body, the dermal filler integrates with surrounding tissues and allows oxygen and other vital nutrients to pass through freely.

How are dermal fillers used?
This is a non surgical procedure. No pre-testing is necessary and it often takes less than 30 minutes.

Prior to treatment, the area is cleaned and ice may be used to minimise discomfort. Additional pain relief is often not necessary when injecting wrinkles. A local anaesthetic is commonly used when enhancing the lips. Using a very fine needle, a small amount of the gel is injected directly into the wrinkle, fold or the lip.

Results are immediate. Wrinkles are instantly smoother and lips fuller.  After treatment swelling, redness and tenderness are common. This inconvenience is temporary and usually disappears within a few days for wrinkle treatment and up to a week for lips.
 
After treatment, patients are asked to avoid touching the area for 6 hours and to maintain an adequate fluid intake. The area can then be washed and light make-up can be applied. Extremes of heat (eg: solariums or sunbathing) or cold should be avoided until the local injection related reactions have resolved. Normal activity is resumed soon after treatment and social activity is not usually restricted.

The result obtained directly after the treatment may not be the final result, depending on the extent of injection-related localised swelling. This is especially important after lip treatment. We offer a free review appointment 1 to 2 weeks after treatment. If desired, further correction can be achieved with additional treatments.

How long does this dermal filler last?
This product is long lasting but not permanent. The gel particles are absorbed and eliminated from the body slowly. As the gel is absorbed, water molecules take its place. The less gel there is, the more water is able to bind. This is why this dermal filler lasts so long.

Most patients choose to have a follow-up treatment 6 to 12 months after the initial treatment for wrinkles and after approximately 6 months for lips.

If you choose not to have further treatments, the gel will be gradually absorbed and completely removed from the body. The treated areas will eventually return to their pre-treatment condition.

Are there any side effects?
Side effects are infrequent, temporary, short-term and are localised to the area of treatment. Common injection related reactions include swelling, redness, bruising, itching, discolouration and tenderness.  These usually heal quickly over 1 to 2 days. The lips may take up to 1 week to heal.

Who shouldn’t use this dermal filler
This product should not be used in people who have inflamed or infected skin at the proposed injection site, who are pregnant, or who are breast feeding.

This gel should not be used with other injectable implants or injected into an area containing a permanent implant.