FAQs: Dermal Fillers

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring sugar chain molecule found in all skin and soft tissues throughout our body.  It attracts and binds water in the skin, providing volume and hydration, but also ‘cushioning’ and supporting collagen and elastin fibres and providing a carrier, for chemical messages between the cells.

Hyaluronic acid dermal fillers are a clear sterile gel for injection into the skin providing instant correction.

Dermal fillers are manufactured, usually through fermentation and cross linking with proteins to produce a clear, sterile gel for injection into the skin. In the UK, there are over 160 brands on the market due in some part to weak regulation.

Not all hyaluronic acids are the same and legitimate brands are NOT available for general sale on the internet and should only be administered by trained clinicians.  Each brand has a range of ‘tissue tailored’ products designed for specific results. One size does not fit all.

Leading and well established brands include, but are not limited to;

• Juvederm™ 
• Aliaxin™ 
• Belotero™ 
• Teosyal™
• Restylane™

• To correct or enhance facial contours; cheeks, temples, jawline, nose, chin
• To define, correct or enhance lips
• To soften and correct facial wrinkles or folds
• To restore lost volume in hands to reduce the appearance of veins and tendons
• To correct hollows under the eyes (tear troughs)
• To improve the tone, texture and hydration of the skin

• It is important that you follow the post treatment advice carefully after dermal filler treatment. This will help you to gain maximum effect from the procedure and reduce the risk of complications
• Immediately after treatment, there may be slight redness, pin prick marks, possibly swelling – particularly in the lips and bruising. This is a normal result of the injection. The inconvenience is temporary and generally disappears in a few days. If it continues, or if other reactions occur, please call me.
• Swelling bruising tenderness may be more apparent the next day

• Make-up should not be worn for 12 hours

• If you are having lip treatment the initial swelling may last longer. Some patients experience swelling for about a week and the lips can look somewhat uneven during this time. This means that the results directly after the treatment should not be seen as the final result. Sleeping with an extra pillow can reduce swelling which tends to be more pronounced on waking.
• Following treatment you may use paracetamol, if required and for a few days after treatment.
• Bruising can be avoided or minimised by avoiding substances that thin the blood for 24 hours pre & post treatment these include: Alcohol, Aspirin, Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory drugs such as Nurofen/Ibuprofen, Vitamin E, Gingko Biloba, Ginger and the prescription drug Warfarin.
• However prescription medications must not be stopped without discussing the risks with your GP.
• Avoid drinking Alcohol avoid alcohol, vigorous exercise, sunbathing, and extremes of heat or cold for 14 days post treatment as this may increase the bruising and bleeding at the injection site.
• Arnica (a homeopathic remedy) cream or tablets are sometimes recommended a few days before and a few days after treatment as there is some evidence that this can reduce bruising;
• Avoid touching the treatment area 6 hours after the treatment. After that the area can be gently washed with soap and water and light make-up can be applied. Avoid prodding or playing with the filler treated area following treatment unless specifically directed by your practitioner. Product has been carefully placed and there is a risk of shifting the product.
• Until the initial swelling and redness have resolved, do not expose the treated area to intense heat (e.g. solarium and sunbathing) or extreme cold.
• If you have previously suffered from facial cold sores, there is a risk that the needle punctures could contribute to another eruption of cold sores.
• A touch-up treatment within 4 weeks after the initial treatment may be necessary to achieve an optimal correction.
• Dermal fillers are long lasting but not permanent. You always have a choice to continue or change the combination of treatments – and the procedure can be repeated as often as you like.
• Most patients choose to have a follow-up treatment 6 – 12 months after an initial treatment of wrinkles. When the lips have been treated a follow-up is normally needed after about 6 months.
• Your practitioner will have offered you a review appointment 1-2 weeks following treatment, please attend this appointment.

If you experience extreme swelling or itching at the site of injection following treatment, or if you have any concerns, at all please contact Clare McLoughlin RGN  INP  on 01628 303020

A full medical history and assessment of your expectations is necessary in advance of any decision to treat. As there are a number of medical conditions and or medicines that may affect the decision to treat or the treatment plan.

With any injectable treatment;

• Treatment is not recommended if you are suffering from any skin infection in or near the treatment area or are unwell in any way (even a cold).
• If you have previously experienced allergic reactions to any dermal filler or local anaesthetic.
• If you are taking any medicines which affect bleeding, such as aspirin or warfarin.
• If you are taking steroids or have autoimmune disease.
• If you have any bleeding disorders.
•  If you suffer from a poorly controlled medical condition.
• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding. If you are currently or have recently completed a course of Roacutane (Isotretinoin acne treatment) in the last 18 months.
• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Caution

• Injections on the face can trigger the cold sore virus. If you are a sufferer, you must advise your clinician in advance of treatment.
• If you have recently had treatment with any other dermal filler please advise your clinician
• If you are planning to attend a special event when a bruise, should it occur, would be unacceptable to you. Some over the counter medicines and supplements can also affect bleeding (make you more prone to bruising) as can alcohol- which should be avoided the day before and after treatment.
• Vigorous exercise, sun exposure, sun beds, sauna should be avoided for 48 hours, or as advised by your clinician, after treatment. Safety has not been established for those skins susceptible to keloid scarring.

If, having had treatment, you are at all concerned about symptoms you were not expecting or not happy with, please contact please contact Clare McLoughlin RGN  INP  on 01628 303020 for advice. If necessary, an appointment will be made for you to be seen. 

All treatments carry a degree of risk.

All risks and complications will be discussed with you at consultation and prior to any treatment being agreed. Dermal fillers should be administered by a healthcare professional with specialist training. Side effects include, but are not limited to;

• Redness
• Swelling
• Bruising
• Itching
• Tenderness

The above are temporary and usually resolve within the first few days, swelling is often marked the next morning but settles within hours, bruising can take a week to 10 days to resolve and can sometimes persist for longer.

Most leading brands also contain a local anaesthetic and topical anaesthetic cream, or ice, prior to treatment may be used to numb the skin. Treatment need not be painful.

Longevity does vary between products, and between individuals, but most will last between 6 months and 18 months.