Dermal Fillers
What are fillers?
These are substances injected into the skin to add volume.
What are they used for?
They are used to correct deep creases or wrinkles between your nose and the mouth (smile lines), on the forehead, crows feet, frown lines between your eyebrows e.t.c. Any wrinkling that persists after smiling, laughing or frowning may be suitable for a filler.
They can also be used to add fullness to the lips, cheeks e.t.c. to give a fuller and more youthful appearance.
What type of filler will be used?
Fillers which are made up of hyaluronic acid such as restylane, hydrafill e.t.c. will be used. This is because hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance in the skin which helps the skin to retain moisture. The use of this product has been shown to give both predictable long term results as well as reliable safety.
How is it performed?
The filler is injected into the skin with a very fine needle usually after applying an anaesthetic cream or spray to numb the area.
How much time off work can I take?
No time off work is required. However some patients may decide to take the day off work after the injection as they may feel conscious of any mild swelling or redness at site of injection.
When do I notice the effect?
Immediately!
How long does the correction last?
The effect usually lasts from about six months to two years depending on the filler used.
What are the risks?
There may be mild discomfort, bruising and minor swelling at site of injection which usually settles in a few days. As hyaluronic acid is not extracted from animals, there is usually no risk of a severe allergic reaction. However there is very rarely a mild allergic reaction to the product. There may be a minor lumpiness under the skin which settles over few weeks.