Filler Guide
What are dermal fillers?
Dermal fillers are injectable synthetic or natural products used to help restore volume or fill in various lines around the face. They are injected under the skin to give a more youthful or enhanced look.How are they applied?
Dermal fillers are administered by a trained medical practitioner and are injected around the face using various techniques.What happens during the treatment?
Dermal fillers generally takes 30–45 minutes to administer. Firstly, your medical practitioner will discuss your thoughts and assess your face to decide on the best treatment plan. They will then determine the injection site to achieve your best results. A topical anaesthetic is generally applied 30 minutes before the treatment. Your practitioner will then administer the dermal fillers through several injections. You can usually feel the initial injection, but the procedure shouldn’t be painful as most dermal fillers contain lidocaine products. You can return to work or day-to-day activities immediately.Are there any side effects?
The side effects are temporary, and mild to moderate. They are most typically slight bruising and swelling from the injection sites. A detailed list of side effects can be obtained from the practitioner at your consultation.When can you see the results?
Dermal fillers work instantly. Following treatment, the area should be left alone to settle.How long does it last?
Dermal fillers, on average, last around 4-8 months, but this can differ for each individual.How much does it cost?
Dermal fillers are generally charged per syringe and vary depending on the strength and longevity of the filler.Filler Aftercare
Please follow the advice below if you have not been offered any additional or different instructions.- The effect of your treatment is immediate. Filler can be slightly mobile for a few hours following the procedure, so it is vital that you keep facial movements minimal and do not rub or massage the area for the rest of the day.
- Immediately after treatment, it is normal for sight redness, swelling and tenderness around the treated area. These signs will gradually disappear in a few days. Wash and dry your face with gentle patting movements.
- It is possible that you may be able to feel or see where the product has been placed for about two weeks following treatment. As the filler gradually incorporates into the matrix of your skin, these signs will lessen. If you have had stronger, more uplifting filler, the filler may be palpable for longer.
- Please avoid the use of makeup for the rest of the day to prevent the introduction of infection to the injection sites.
- Do not have facial beauty treatments or massage for two weeks following treatment.
- Avoid exposure to strong sunlight, very cold temperatures, saunas and solariums for the same length of time.
- If there is discomfort following treatment, you may take Paracetamol. Avoid using aspirin, ibuprofen or other anti-inflammatory drugs as these may increase the risk of bruising.
- Lip treatment generally takes a little longer to settle and may feel tender and appear uneven – this will gradually resolve itself within the first week and should not affect the final result.
- There is a chance of bruising with filler treatments, caused both through the injection and sometimes through the pressure of the product on capillaries under the skin. Bruising may be apparent at the time of treatment or may develop later and may be anything from more likely mild to moderate or occasionally heavy. This is an unfortunate side effect of filler treatments. Bruising will subside in time, and using arnica cream can sometimes be helpful. Cool compresses for two days following treatment can help. After two days, warm compresses will encourage blood supply to remove traces of the bruise.
- Although your treatment result is immediate, the overall result will look much better in about two weeks when any trauma has subsided and the plumping effect of the product has started to take effect.
48 hours before Treatment Advice
It is strongly recommended you do not take any blood thinners 48 hours before treatment. This includes uncle relaxants, some pain killers, anticoagulants and some vitamins. Here are some examples of some common ones:- Aspirin.
- Warfarin.
- Diclofenac.
- Naproxen.
- Nurofen.
- Alka seltzer.
- Ibuprofen.
- Vitamin B.
- Ginko biloba.
- Lodine.
- St John’s Wort.
- Alcohol.
- Steroids®.