Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers are injections used to fill out and smooth wrinkles, creases and deep lines in your skin. They are a popular non-surgical anti-ageing treatment that offer instant results and no down-time.

Most often dermal fillers are used to help reshape your face but they can also be used to enhance the appearance of other areas of your body including: hands, upper breast, chest, neck and shoulder area, earlobes and feet.

Dermal fillers are used to treat the following facial areas:

• Deep smile or laughter lines which run from the side of your nose to the corners of your mouth
• Crow’s feet at the corner of your eyes
• Frown lines between your eyebrows
• Worry lines which run across your forehead
• Vertical lines on your top lip, known as smokers’ lines
• Acne scars
• Pockmarks caused by injury or disease, such as chickenpox marks
• Uneven skin after surgery or skin grafting
• Lips lacking volume or definition
• Tear troughs
• Drooping mouth corners
• Marionette lines that run between the corners of your lips down towards the chin and jaw
• Sunken cheeks
• Chin area that would benefit from reshaping
• Bumps in the bridge of your nose or a crooked line of your nose

There are several different types of dermal fillers and their effects can be temporary or permanent depending on the type of filler.

The most common facial filler is hyaluronic acid injections. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance within your body in the deep layers of your skin called the dermis that keeps your skin smooth, shapely and hydrated. As you age, your body produces less hyaluronic acid.

Your surgeon will discuss with you the best type and volume of filler needed for your particular areas of concern.

Having dermal filler treatment is straightforward and is usually performed on an outpatient basis, taking just 20 to 40 minutes.

You may be offered a local anaesthetic cream or an injection to numb the treatment area before having the filler injections.

The dermal filler is then inserted into your skin by a series of injections using a very fine needle. Your practitioner may massage the area to help mould the filler.

Dermal fillers are generally speaking safe. Naturally occurring dermal fillers, such as hyaluronic acid fillers are thought to be the safest.

The most common side effects include: bruising, redness, swelling, pain and itching and these normally pass over time. It is important that you choose a qualified and experienced practitioner to advise you of the risks of your dermal filler injections and to administer them to reduce your risk of complications.

The cost of dermal fillers will depend on how much of your face or body you would like treated, and which fillers you opt for.

During your consultation you will be advised of the price for your dermal filler treatment.

Dermal fillers are a walk-in walk out treatment with no downtime so you can return to your daily routine immediately after treatment.

For the first 24 hours following dermal filler injections the treated area may be a little tender, swollen and red. You may be advised to keep out of the sun during this time and to avoid alcohol and hot drinks.