Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers are a popular cosmetic treatment designed to enhance and rejuvenate the face. Hyaluronic acid (HA) dermal fillers contain hyaluronic acid, a natural substance in our skin that maintains hydration and volume. They work by adding volume, improving contours, and softening lines, making them a versatile option for both men and women. Here's how they can enhance your appearance:


Restore Lost Volume:

As you age, your skin naturally loses collagen and fat, leading to sagging or a more hollowed appearance. Dermal fillers can restore this lost volume, especially in areas like the cheeks, temples, and under the eyes.


Smooth Fine Lines and Wrinkles:

Fillers are often used to soften the appearance of wrinkles, such as smile lines (nasolabial folds) or marionette lines around the mouth, giving you a smoother and more youthful look.


Enhance Facial Contours: Fillers can help define and enhance facial features, such as cheekbones, jawlines, and chins, adding structure and symmetry to your face.


Lip Enhancement:

Dermal fillers can be used to add volume and shape to the lips, giving them a fuller and more defined appearance.


Improve Skin Texture:

By boosting hydration and collagen production, dermal fillers can improve the overall texture of your skin, making it appear firmer and more radiant.


Non-Surgical and Quick Recovery:

Dermal fillers provide a non-surgical option for facial enhancement with minimal downtime, meaning you can often return to your routine shortly after the treatment.


These enhancements are temporary but can last from 6 months to over a year, depending on the filler used and the area treated.

BOOK CONSULTATION

Preparation and Aftercare

Advice

Dermal Filler Preparation Advice

1. Two Weeks Before Treatment:


Avoid Blood-Thinning Medications and Supplements:


Blood thinners like aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen, as well as anticoagulants, increase the risk of bruising. 


Supplements such as vitamin E, fish oil, ginkgo biloba, St John’s wort, and garlic pills can also have blood-thinning effects. 


*Consult your doctor if you’re taking prescribed blood thinners*


Protect Your Skin: 

Avoid overexposure to the sun, tanning beds, or any activity that might irritate or inflame the skin.


Delay Aggressive Skincare Treatments: Chemical peels, laser treatments, or microdermabrasion should be avoided to minimise irritation or risk of adverse reactions.


2. One Week Before Treatment:


Refrain from Alcohol: 

Alcohol can thin the blood, which increases the risk of bruising and swelling post-treatment.


Hydrate: 

Drink plenty of water throughout the week to ensure your skin is plump and hydrated, which helps enhance the effect of fillers.


Healthy Lifestyle Choices: 

Reduce smoking and limit caffeine, as both can dehydrate the skin and affect healing.


3. Two to Three Days Before Treatment:


Avoid Skincare Actives: 

Stop using products with retinoids, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, or any exfoliating agents that can increase skin sensitivity.


Minimise Vigorous Physical Activity: 

High-intensity workouts can increase blood flow, making you more prone to bruising or swelling.


Reduce Sodium Intake: 

A low-sodium diet can help minimise fluid retention and reduce post-treatment swelling.


4. On the Day of Treatment:


Keep Your Skin Clean: 

Wash your face with a gentle cleanser and avoid applying makeup, sunscreen, or heavy skincare products.


Have a Light Meal: 

Eating beforehand can help prevent light-headedness during the procedure.


Stay Relaxed: 

Anxiety and stress can elevate blood pressure, increasing the likelihood of bruising.


Wear Comfortable Clothing: 

If the filler is for areas like the face, wear clothes that do not need to be pulled over your head to avoid touching the treated area post-treatment.


5. Discuss with Your Practitioner:


Medical History: 

Inform your practitioner of any medications, allergies, or recent treatments. Be honest about any underlying health issues, including pregnancy or breastfeeding (dermal fillers are generally not recommended in these cases).


Avoid Infections: 

Reschedule your appointment if you have active cold sores, infections, or skin lesions in the treatment area, as these can spread during the procedure.

Dermal Filler Aftercare Advice

The following aftercare advice is essential to help reduce the risk of treatment complications, to improve your comfort/healing and to help achieve the best possible results from treatment. 


Please follow the aftercare advice for dermal filler injections. 


• Immediately after dermal filler injections the treatment area may be red, tender or swollen. The redness and tenderness should improve after 48 hours. Swelling is often worse on days 2-3 after injection, improved by day 5 and resolved by 2 weeks. 


• For significant swelling contact your practitioner for advice. Swelling may be reduced by regular cold compress, anti-inflammatory medicines such as Ibuprofen (after 24 hours, if safe for you to take), antihistamines and sleeping with your head propped up on 3 pillows to help drainage of fluid overnight. 


• Bruising is common following treatment; this will resolve naturally but may take up to 2 weeks to settle. 


• Regular application of Arnica cream may be helpful for bruising. 


• Tenderness is normal when the injected area is touched afterwards but active pain at rest is not normal. If you experience pain, you must contact your practitioner as soon as possible. 


• Avoid any makeup for 24 hours after treatment as this will reduce the risk of infection. 


• You may require a top up appointment if there is some mild unevenness or discrepancies noticed once the initial swelling has resolved. Top ups should not be done until 2 weeks, this is when all post-injection swelling would have resolved. 


• Drink plenty of water after treatment to keep well hydrated.


• Avoid alcohol, caffeine, hot drinks and spicy food for 24 hours.


• Avoid medications such as aspirin or Ibuprofen for 24 hours as they are blood 

thinning agents and may worsen bruising (if these medications have been advised by your GP you must check with your GP before stopping them) 


• Avoid supplements such as multivitamins, fish oils, glucosamine and Vitamin B or Vitamin E, which are blood thinning agents and may exacerbate bruising for 24 hours (if these supplements have been advised by your GP please check with your GP before stopping them) 


• Avoid any excess sun exposure, extremes of hot/cold, saunas, swimming or strenuous exercise until the redness and swelling has settled. 


• A rare complication of dermal fillers is vascular occlusion in which a blood vessel is accidentally blocked with filler. Signs and symptoms include throbbing and aching pain which can be severe, paleness, a cold feeling to the tissue and purple streaky mottling tissue changes. If you notice any of these symptoms you must contact your practitioner as soon as possible, they will guide you through how to perform a capillary refill test and then assess you fully and advise further action if required. 


• You must seek medical attention and contact your practitioner if you experience any signs or symptoms of infection after treatment. Infection can present as hot, red shiny skin, there may be pus formation and you may have a fever or feel generally unwell.

 

• You must seek emergency medical 

attention if you experience any severe allergy symptoms after treatment. Symptoms may include rash, facial swelling and breathing difficulties. 


• You must contact your practitioner as an emergency if you notice any visual disturbance or loss of vision after the filler injections. 


• Contact your practitioner as soon as possible if you notice any other unwanted side effects. 


• Results can be assessed at 2 weeks, by when any residual swelling will have settled. 


Please do let your practitioner know if you have any questions or if you do not understand any of the aftercare instructions.