Dermal Fillers

Overview

As we age, we start to lose volume as our face and muscle mass reduce and our bony structures resorb. This loss of volume can lead to a sunken and sagging appearance, as well as fine lines and deep wrinkles. HA dermal fillers are a brilliant way to restore volume to the areas where it has been lost, and to hydrate the skin. This volume restoration and hydration helps to reduce or eliminate fine lines and wrinkles and other signs of ageing.

Hyaluronic acid (Restylane, Juvederm, others). This natural component of the skin’s connective tissue is the most common filler used for wrinkles.

What you can expect?

The effects of dermal fillers are seen immediately, however there is often swelling and redness that accompanies this for the first few days. In some people, swelling can even last for 1 – 2 weeks. When the filler is first placed you can often feel it underneath the surface, so you may feel some small lumps or bumps in the short term after treatment. However, over the 2 – 4 weeks post-treatment, the filler will start to settle under the surface and these feelings will disappear.

Depending on the thickness of the filler used and the brand of filler, dermal filler treatments can last anywhere between 3 months and 2 + years. Not all fillers are created equally, and cheaper products will often lead to poor aesthetic outcomes or poor longevity of treatments. That is why Dr Ivan always uses Juvéderm Dermal Fillers; the market leader.

Dermal fillers aren’t permanent, so if you want to maintain the effects, you will need to return to the clinic for top-up treatments. It is important to be aware of the longer-term costs of maintaining your fillers so that you can make an informed choice about the treatment.

How long the dermal fillers last and how often you need top-ups will depend on:

The type of filler that was used
Where the filler was injected
How quickly your body breaks the filler down

In order to maintain the best results, you should arrange a top-up treatment before the effects have disappeared completely. As a general rule, it is a good idea to time your top-up treatment for halfway through the maximum lifetime of the product. For example, if the filler can last for up to 12 months then you should have top-up treatments every six months to maintain the effects. If the filler can last for 18 months, then you will only need top-up treatments every nine months.

Fillers sometimes have a bad reputation for producing unrealistic and unnatural results. However, in the right hands, dermal filler can be used to create the most subtle and natural results, where no one will be able to tell you have had treatment.

Before the procedure

Don’t consume alcoholic beverages at least 24 hours prior to your treatment as alcohol may thin the blood and increase your risk of bruising.
Avoid anti-inflammatory/blood thinning medications for a period of at least 2 weeks before treatment as they can increase the risk of bruising and swelling after injections.
Scheduled your Anti-wrinkle or Dermal Filler appointment at least 2 weeks prior to a special event you may be attending, such as a wedding or vacation, since the results can take up to 4-7 days to appear.
Discontinue Retin-A 2 days before and 2 days after your treatment.
Reschedule your appointment at least 24 hours in advance if you have a rash, cold sore, or blemish on the treatment area. (If you have a history of cold sores, talk to your provider as they may put you on antiviral medication prior to treatment.)
Be sure to have a good breakfast, including food and drink, before your cosmetic treatment. This will decrease your chances of light-headedness during the treatment.
You are not a suitable candidate if you’re breastfeeding or pregnant.

During the procedure

A dermal fillers procedure includes the following steps:

Step 1 – Facial assessment & mapping

If you choose to utilize packaged soft tissue fillers, the doctor will evaluate your facial appearance and skin tone and examine the areas of your face to be augmented.

Strategic points on your face may be marked as the appropriate injection sites for the filler. Photographs may be taken of the areas to be treated.

Step 2 – Cleansing & anesthetizing

The injection sites will be cleansed with an antibacterial agent.

Pain at the injection site may be ameliorated by use of a very cold instrument to chill the skin, anesthetic ointment to numb the skin.

Step 3 – Clean up & recovery

Once the results are deemed satisfactory, any markings will be cleansed off.

You may be offered an ice pack to reduce swelling and alleviate discomfort. Although the area may feel a bit tender for a day or two, it is usually not painful enough to require any medication.

Why it’s done

Dermal fillers can be used for a wide range of treatments, including:

Lip Fillers: Add volume and/or definition to the lips
Chin / Jawline Fillers: Reshape or define the chin and jawline to improve your profile
Nasolabial Folds: Reduce the deep creases that run from the sides of your nose to the corners of your mouth
Profile Balancing: Treat areas like the lips, chin, cheeks and jawline to balance your profile
Tear Trough Fillers: Reduce the deep creases and dark circles under the eyes to look refreshed and less tired
Masculinisation: Create a more masculine appearance by widening the jaw and creating a stronger jawline and chin area
Feminisation: Help to create a more feminine appearance by treating certain key points in the face, often including the cheeks, temples & chin
General Ageing: A combination of treatments to your temple, cheeks, tear troughs, chin and jawline can help to drastically reduce the signs of ageing in a subtle and natural-looking way

Whilst there may be a specific area or certain lines that bother you most, often injecting straight into those lines is not the best and most natural solution to the problem. A combination of treatment in key areas of the face will help to reduce the signs of ageing in the most subtle and natural-looking way.

Risks

As with any treatment, injecting facial filler for wrinkles has risks, including:

Allergic reaction at the injection site or throughout the body
Bleeding or bruising at the injection site
Infection
Irregularities in the surface, contours and firmness of the skin
Rarely, damage to blood vessels
Facial fillers generally aren’t used for people whose immune systems are suppressed or who take blood-thinning medications (anticoagulants).

How much do dermal fller injections cost?

The cost of your wrinkle filler treatment will be affected by:

The type of dermal filler that is used
How much dermal filler needs to be injected
Which part of your face or body is being treated
The clinic that you choose for the treatment
The amount of filler that is required for your treatment will depend on how many wrinkles you want to have filled and how deep the lines are.

You may also be offered a discount on the fillers when you are using more than one syringe. You’ll get a more accurate quote during your initial consultation at the clinic.

After the procedure

In order to reduce the amount of bruising and/or swelling you might get from the injection sites following your Dermal Filler treatment, please follow the instructions below:

Avoid significant movement or massage of the treated area, unless instructed by the provider.
Avoid strenuous exercise for 24 hours.
Avoid extensive sun or heat for at least 72 hours after your treatment. When out in the sun, remember to wear sunblock (SPF 30 or higher) and a hat.
Avoid consuming excess amounts of alcohol or salts to avoid excess swelling.
If you have swelling you may apply a cool compress for 15 minutes each hour.
Use Tylenol for discomfort.
Try to sleep face up and slightly elevated if you experience swelling.
Take Arnica to help the bruising and swelling and start at least 2 days prior to injections.
Until the swelling and redness have resolved, avoid intense heat in the treated area(s). This includes sunbathing, tanning, saunas, hot tubs, or hot wax. Also, avoid extreme colds such as skiing or other winter sports.