Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers can be injected at various tissue depths ranging from within the skin itself to deep and next to bone. They work by having a volumising effect. This effect can be used to smooth the appearance of wrinkles and deep tissue folds, replace lost volume in areas like the cheek and even plump thinning lips.

Dermal fillers are particularly useful for treating lines, wrinkles and folds in the lower half of the face. They can also be used to add volume to areas, such as the cheek, that tend to sag with age. Some of the more common uses include:

1. tear troughs
2. cheek volumisation
3. nasolabial lines
4. marionette lines
5. perioral (smoker’s) lines
6. lip augmentation

At Remedy Plus, we use dermal fillers made up of hyaluronic acid. This is a substance which is naturally found in the tissues of all living organisms. Its structure is the same whether it is found in a human being or in bacteria. Because of this there is no chance of any allergic reaction to it, unlike older dermal fillers such as collagen.

There is very little risk of any serious complications due to the dermal filler itself, but the use of a needle always carries a very slight chance of tenderness, swelling, bruising, minor bleeding or infection. These minor problems, even if they occur, generally disappear within a few days.

The hyaluronic acid used in dermal fillers is slightly modified to make it longer lasting, and is produced in varying thicknesses. The thicker the dermal filler, the deeper it needs to be injected. Occasionally dermal filler can move from the intended injection site to adjacent tissues. This can sometimes be felt as lumpiness. Often a simple massage will disperse the lump, but very occasionally persistent lumps might need to be removed using a needle, or by injecting a substance which dissolves them.

The number of injections required varies depending on the site and the problem being treated. The injections can be mildly painful but local anaesthetic is usually added to the dermal fillers we use. If extra pain relief is required this can be achieved through the use of anaesthetic creams, cooling or occasionally local anaesthetic injections.

The result of treatment is apparent immediately. As the result is dependent on volumisation, an adequate change will only be achieved if sufficient volumes of dermal filler are used. The result should last for at least twelve months, but after an initial treatment, a top-up might be recommended after six months.

It is important not to put excessive pressure on the areas treated for a few days after treatment. For instance if treatment involves the lips it would be best to avoid passionate kissing.

Hyaluronic acid maintains its volume by binding water to itself. It is therefore important to stay well hydrated after treatment. Not drinking enough liquid can lead to quicker degradation of dermal fillers. This would mean a less effective treatment which doesn’t last as long.

There is no downtime after an injection, with most people returning to work or normal activities immediately following treatment.