Fillers Hyaluronic acid

Filler Injections has been the biggest cosmetic trend over the last decade. We cannot escape the images of celebrities and reality stars plumping lips and faces to sometimes ridiculous levels. Patients are often afraid when fillers are mentioned that they will look overdone, puffy with "duck lips" . This artificial, weird look is often due to "too much, too often" or to the "wrong filler, wrong place". Let me reassure you that judicious use of the right filler can result in a natural, youthful and fresher look!

Filler is a clear synthetic gel of stabilized, non-animal hyaluronic acid (HA) and water. The filler substance closely resembles the hyaluronic acid that occurs naturally in skin, giving elasticity and volume. It is cross-linked like a lattice and attracts water under the skin. It is eventually broken down to glucose and water , absorbed by the body. Well known brands of HA fillers are Juvederm, Restylane, Teosyal and Belotero. Each brand has HAs with different density and this affects how long it lasts and where it should be placed on the face. HA fillers are not permanent. This is good because the face undergoes considerable change over time. The results are fully reversible within 48-72 hrs with the injection of an enzyme called Hyalase. - Fillers are totally different to Botox but are often combined for a natural and longer lasting effect.

Fillers are so versatile that can be used literally anywhere , in most facial lines and folds, in the forehead, around the eyes, dark circles(tear trough), nose (non surgical rhinoplasty), nose to mouth lines, corners of the mouth, lips, cheeks, chin, jawline, neck and chest. Using multiple injection locations creates a lifting effect hence the term “liquid facelift”, “8 Point lift” and “Y lift”.

We recommend the use of fillers from the age of 30-35. Lip fillers may be used for patients in their 20’s in small amounts( 0.5ml).

Filler is injected with a fine needle or even a blunt cannula, to prevent injuring blood vessels and avoid bruising. It is placed in small amounts and in precise locations under the skin . We use anaesthetic cream or ice pack but there is also lidocaine in the gel. Gentle massage of the area helps for a smooth result. The patient may hold a mirror and review the results of one side before moving to the other side. Follow-up treatment or top-up is usually needed after approximately 6-9 months. However after 2 or 3 treatments the interval between injections can increase as some collagen build up starts to occur .Longevity depends on skin type, lifestyle, age, the density of the product and the facial area injected.

Filler reactions are mild and include bruising ,swelling, redness and tenderness of the injection site. These resolve spontaneously in a day or two after injections into the skin and within one week after injection into the lips. Rarely injection into a blood vessel can cause tissue necrosis and scarring. Symmetry is checked a week later. Pea size nodules may be felt at the injection site and respond to massage.

20 Mins

Mild

24-48 Hours

From £380