Are dermal fillers the right choice for you?

As we age our face may become etched with deep lines and wrinkles. If you have unwanted facial lines and wrinkles then dermal fillers might be the answer you’re looking for. Dermal fillers are a rapid and effective way of enhancing your appearance – perfect if you have a special event coming up. One of the most popular uses of dermal fillers is for lip enhancement, giving you fuller and more luscious lips. Dermal fillers are also an excellent treatment choice for nasolabial lines, marionette lines, frown lines and acne pitting.

What are dermal fillers?

Dermal fillers (such as juvederm ultra) consist of a sterile gel of hyaluronic acid for injection into the skin. Hyaluronic acid is a natural component of the skin. Dermal fillers made of hyaluronic acid break down slowly within the skin over the course of several months. The hyaluronic acid fillers we use (normally juvederm ultra) are synthetic and prepared from non-animal sources. Hyaluronic acid fillers add volume to the skin and hydrate the skin by binding water, giving your skin a smoother and more supple texture.

What results can I expect?

The results of injection of dermal fillers are immediate and pleasing. Dermal fillers act by plumping up the skin, smoothing away unwanted lines and wrinkles. The results typically last for several months before fading, after which deep wrinkle fillers can be administered again. Dermal fillers are very popular for lip enhancement. Deep wrinkle fillers are effective in the treatment of nasolabial lines (mouth to nose lines), deep glabellar lines (frown lines) and marionette lines (mouth to chin lines). Dermal fillers are also used to improve the appearance of crow’s feet around the eyes and smoker’s lines around the mouth. Virtually any unwanted deep facial lines or wrinkles can be treated. The effects of dermal fillers, especially when used for frown lines, can be significantly improved if muscle-relaxing injections (such as Botox) are used at the same time.

How are dermal fillers administered?

The first step is to come for a consultation with a doctor to discuss the result you would like and how best this can be achieved. Sometimes a combination of dermal fillers may be needed to achieve the best results. You may be advised to discontinue any aspirin-type medication before treatment or be prescribed anti-viral medication if you are prone to cold sores.

Nobody likes injections, so to make things more comfortable we prepare your skin by using a local anaesthetic cream to numb it. Not only that, we use juvederm ultra as our dermal filler of choice because this preparation actually contains local anaesthetic. For lip enhancement we routinely numb the lips using a dental injection. A treatment session typically lasts thirty minutes; there is little downtime.

Are there any special aftercare instructions?

Usually you can get straight back on with your life. If you are having a number of hyaluronic acid injections it is sensible to apply ice packs to the area for a short while and take a mild pain killer – you may also use arnica cream if you wish. Any bruising and swelling usually disappears after a few days. You can wear makeup immediately if you wish.

If you are having dermal filler injections for lip enhancement you will need to apply cold compresses and rest with your head elevated for a few hours afterwards – the swelling immediately after this procedure can be dramatic for a day or two.

Are dermal fillers safe?

Hyaluronic acid fillers are generally well-tolerated. The incidence of adverse reactions to hyaluronic acid fillers is quoted at 1 per 5,000 – 8,000 treatments. Allergic reactions to synthetic hyaluronic acid fillers are rare and allergy testing is not required.

As with all medical interventions, sometimes minor problems arise. After treatment with dermal fillers some common reactions to the injection may occur. These include redness, swelling, discomfort, itching, bruising and tenderness at the treatment site. These are generally mild to moderate in severity and typically resolve spontaneously within a few days.

Other types of reaction are rare, but may include swelling and firmness at the injection site, sometimes affecting the surrounding tissues. Acne-like swellings have been described after dermal filler injections, which are usually self-limiting.

Very rarely, prolonged firmness, abscess formation or grey discolouration at injection sites have been reported. These can develop weeks to months following treatment with dermal fillers but normally resolve with time. Even more rarely, the formation of a scab has been observed, which may result in a shallow scar.

Hyaluronic acid fillers can be ‘reversed’ by the injection of the enzyme hyaluronidase in the unlikely event that significant complications arise.

How much do dermal fillers cost?

A single syringe of juvederm ultra costs £250. Discounts are available for multiple syringes.

You may also be interested in: Sculptra treatment

To see if dermal fillers are the right choice for you, phone 0117 3250325 to arrange a free consultation with one of our doctors.