DERMAL FILLERS



What are Dermal Fillers?
Dermal fillers are HYALURONIC ACID. They do exactly what it says on the tin. They fill. We use them to plump and make things bigger and fuller, as well as to fill deep lines and creases. As we get older, lines form and we have volume loss in our faces.
The Lesley Ash lip is something you might have heard about. Lesley Ash did not have hyaluronic acid injected into her lips; it was SILICONE.
Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance within our bodies. Therefore, this is something you can't have an allergic reaction to. Naturally, hyaluronic acid attracts water, so when it mixes with water, it turns into a gel-like substance, which we then use for a filling and hydrating effect.
As we age, our hyaluronic acid and volume naturally deplete, resulting in sagging, drooping, and skin aging. Unfortunately, many factors contribute to aging, including smoking, drinking, food, and exposure to the sun.
Causes of wrinkles, fine lines, and skin folds
We are born with our shape and some folds in our skin, which become more noticeable and deeper with age. Other lines appear as we age and from other causes, such as:
Sun exposure damages the skin, causing wrinkles and changes in skin texture.
Loss of collagen due to age
Loss of fat gives the skin that sagging appearance.
Facial expressions such as frowning
Smoking
Drinking
Bad diet
Health conditions and medication
Weight change
Smokers' Lines and Upper Lip Rejuvenation
Smoker's lines are the fine horizontal lines above the lip area.
Causes of Smokers' Lines
Smoking
Puckering
Talking
Age
It is a proven fact that women have more smoker’s lines than men, and it is probably due to the fact that women talk and gossip much more than men :)
Reduction in our skin’s elasticity and loss of volume
Loss of teeth will cause more puckering and drooping of the upper lip area.
Loss of definition in the philtrum and vermillion border.
Injecting filler around the mouth helps with:
Minimising the fine lines around the mouth
Redefinition of the lip border
A younger appearance
Smoother skin texture
Plumpness
Common Side Effects of Filler in Smokers' Lines
Bruising is very common in this area.
Redness
Swelling
Mild lumpiness from droplets of filler
Asymmetry
Not enough treatment
Too much filler
An outbreak of herpes simplex
Infect
Granulomas
Vascular occlusion
Nasolabial folds:
By injecting in the nasolabial fold area, we would hope to achieve:
Widening of the mouth area
Elevating the cheek
Removing shadows
Creating a more youthful look
Common Side Effects of Injecting the Nasolabial Folds
Bruising
Asymmetry
Swelling
Redness
Lips:
Everyone wants the perfect pout nowadays, and dermal fillers for the lips are a hugely popular treatment.
Q&As
Which areas can have filler?
Cheeks
Lips
Tear trough (under eyes)
Nose
Jawline
Marionette lines
Nasolabial folds
Deep wrinkles
Chin
What are the complications and possible side effects?
Some side effects of dermal fillers are completely normal.
Redness
Very common and usually calms down over the next 12 hours.
Swelling
Again, this is a very normal side effect that will go away over the next few days. Using ice packs will help reduce swelling.
Bruising
Bruising occurs when blood vessels are pierced and is also very common. Some people bruise more easily, and bruises will heal over the next week or sometimes just 24 hours.
Herpes Simplex
If you suffer from cold sores, it isn’t uncommon for dermal fillers in the lips to trigger a cold sore. You should treat them as normal and, if their problem persists, visit your GP.
Allergic Reaction
Although uncommon, it's possible. Antihistamines or prescriptive steroids may be required.
Asymmetry
This can be easily treated with a little more filler on one side especially if the lips have swollen on one side more during the treatment.
Nodules and lumps
Most common in the lip area and can be massaged away. The little lump can also have a lance used on it or the filler can be dissolved using Hyaluronidase.
Infection
This is caused by dirt and/or bad hygiene. It is important to follow the aftercare that will be given to you to help avoid this. If an infection occurs then you would need to come in and have the filler dissolved using hyaluronidase and go to your GP for a possible course of steroids or antibiotics.
LATER COMPLICATIONS
Filler Migration
This is usually caused by an overfill of an area and can sometimes be resolved by forceful massage. If this doesn’t work, you can have the filler dissolved.
Before a cosmetic procedure, do not drink alcohol or take aspirin for 24 hours prior to the appointment, as this will thin the blood and make the skin more susceptible to bruising. It may also be more painful after a night of drinking.