Dermal fillers comprise a gel-like substance containing hyaluronic acid (HA). HA is a naturally occurring sugar found in the body that provides lubrication and cushioning for areas such as the joints, connective tissues, eyes, and skin. As we age, HA levels diminish, leading to a loss of collagen and compromise of the skin. The gradual depletion of essential substances within the skin can also result in lines, wrinkles, folds, hollows, and volume loss. When a medical professional skilfully injects dermal fillers into the skin, the HA that has diminished over the years can be replenished. Certain dermal fillers can also assist in restructuring facial contours and serve as supportive material, augmenting skin tissues and restoring lost volume. 

Dermal fillers come in a wide range of viscosities, and all have their own role in rejuvenating the skin and facial features. Some popular treatments include: 

• Cheek enhancement (volume and lifting)
• Non-surgical nose reshaping (rhinoplasty)
• Deeper wrinkle correction (marionette lines, glabellar lines, nasolabial folds)
• Chin and jawline contouring
• Lip augmentation (reshaping and volume enhancement)
• Non-surgical facelift
• Hand rejuvenation

Most patients experiencing facial ageing can benefit from dermal filler treatment in various ways, whether to address the initial signs of ageing, reshape a specific facial feature, or rejuvenate the skin. However, as with any injectable procedure, contraindications must be considered before the treatment is carried out. Therefore, we will always require you to attend a preliminary consultation, facial analysis, and medical history check to ensure that dermal filler treatment is not only effective in achieving the desired results but also safe for you to undergo.

Before your dermal filler treatment, you may need a topical anaesthetic to ensure your comfort throughout the procedure. It typically takes around 30 minutes to numb the area. Following this, your skin will be thoroughly cleansed and sterilised. We will likely use a cannula to inject the chosen dermal filler product. This method is preferred by most medical practitioners as it minimises the risk of bruising; however, in some cases, a traditional needle may be used. The process should not cause pain, as most dermal fillers now contain lidocaine, an injectable anaesthetic, and your skin will have been numbed initially. You might feel your skin being gently tugged if a cannula is used, but this should not be uncomfortable. Once the filler has been injected, we may mould and shape your facial contours to ensure that the product integrates well with the skin’s tissues and achieves a natural appearance. After the treatment is complete, you can resume your daily activities while following any aftercare advice provided by your practitioner.

There is no clinical downtime following dermal filler treatment, meaning a period of recovery at home. However, you may experience some side effects immediately afterwards or in the subsequent hours. These can include slight swelling, mild bruising, tenderness, and redness. All of these reactions are perfectly natural and should subside within a few hours to a few days. We will provide you with comprehensive aftercare advice following your dermal filler treatment to minimise the risk of any complications or adverse side effects.

As dermal fillers sit within and physically enhance the skin tissues, you can expect to see some results immediately after your treatment. However, it is important to consider any side effects, such as swelling, and allow them to subside and for the dermal filler to fully integrate into the skin before observing optimal results. We generally advise that this process can take up to two weeks. At this stage, we will invite you back to the clinic for your follow-up appointment to discuss your results and administer any additional product if necessary.

The longevity of results from a dermal filler treatment depends on many physical and environmental factors. They include:

• The type of product used (more viscous dermal fillers will usually last longer than  fluid ones)
• Your individual physical response to the HA (how quickly your body metabolises it)
• The specific area that has been treated. For example, the lips, which move regularly, may require more frequent treatments than perhaps the cheekbones. 
• Certain lifestyle choices can affect the longevity of your results (excessive sun exposure, smoking and extreme exercise)
• External factors – pollution and UV radiation can affect the longevity of your results.
• Other cosmetic treatments may affect the HA within the dermal filler and cause faster metabolisation.