Dermal Fillers
A natural sign of ageing is a reduction in the elasticity and collagen of our skin. Bony support structures of the face reduce and facial fat pads protrude. Dr Nadine likes to use the analogy, ‘as we age the table is reducing in size and therefore the tablecloth or overlying tissue is appearing larger and less supported in comparison’. This creates the appearance of eye bags, jowling, sunken cheeks and heaviness at the nasolabial fold area. Carefully placed dermal filler can replace lost volume and rejuvenate the face. From our late 20s or early 30s onwards, most individuals begin to notice subtle changes such as our skin looking less plump and defined than in the past, and that certain parts of the face, such as the cheeks, can begin to look quite hollow. This is because our skin starts to lose its natural supplies of hyaluronic acid – a hydrating and plumping agent that is found in the connective tissues of the skin – as well as collagen, elastin and subcutaneous fat cells, all of which are the building blocks of healthy, youthful skin. Over time, these structural changes contribute to the loss of facial volume and the formation of static lines and wrinkles.
Hyaluronic acid-based dermal fillers comprise a synthetic gel that closely resembles naturally-produced hyaluronic acid. By injecting small quantities of dermal fillers into targeted lines, wrinkles and/or other areas of your face or body, we can help to restore your facial balance and volume, and reverse the signs of ageing.
Dermal fillers are ideal for rejuvenating and treating the following areas:
- Tear trough/undereye: Improve the appearance of deep tear troughs, dark circles and a sunken eye appearance.
- Mid to lower face: Add volume and reduce the appearance of lower face jowling or heaviness.
- Smile lines and smokers’ lines: Smooth the appearance of lines around the mouth.
- Cheek contouring: Create symmetry and balance without surgery.
- Jaw and chin sculpting: Create a more youthful definition, plus create facial balancing.
- Lips: Shape, re-balance and plump.
- Skin boosters: Improve the hydration and texture in the face, neck, décolletage and hands.
Dr. Nadine is trained to place filler in the following areas of your face:
- Cheeks
- Tear trough
- Nasolabial folds
- Marionettes
- Chin
- Jawline
A thorough consultation is compulsory initially to discuss your complaints and create a bespoke treatment plan.
FAQs
What is filler composed of?
Dermal fillers can be composed of a variety of substances, some naturally occurring and some synthetic. One of the most common compounds used in dermal fillers is hyaluronic acid (HA). HA is a naturally occurring substance found in our skin, and it plays a major role in keeping skin hydrated and volumized.
How long should I expect my filler to last?
Filler should last for at least 6 months.
Will I require one treatment appointment only?
Dr Nadine prefers to assess the face as a whole and this may involve balancing the proportions of the face to create an ideal aesthetic. Remember your face is unique and Dr Nadine prefers to approach a slow and steady approach. This ensures a natural, subtle rejuvenation of the face. She will often suggest a two-stage filler treatment approach.
Can I request one area of filler only?
Please expect Dr. Nadine to advise what areas are firstly required based on necessary facial balancing. For example, your lips may look out of proportion if you have a very short chin. Likewise, a loss in midface or cheek volume can present as a lower face heaviness or jowling.
Will filler improve skin texture and quality?
If your concern is a rough skin texture or reduction in elasticity a skin hydrating treatment such as Restylane Skinboosters could possibly be a treatment option for you. Filler replaces lost volume and provides shape. It is unable to improve skin quality and elasticity.
Does filler have a lifting ability?
It is a misconception to consider filler capable of ‘lifting’ your sagging face or jowls. Instead if placed in the incorrect areas it could actually contribute to facial heaviness or puffiness. A small amount of filler strategically placed can refresh the face or have it appear less dropped. Filler is unable however to lift any jowling or heaviness.
What brands of filler are used by Dr Nadine?
Dr Nadine uses Restylane Kysse, Lyft, Refyne, Defyne and Volyme depending on what areas of the face are treated. Each filler type will have a different degree of stiffness. For example, a soft malleable filler is chosen for the lips.
How long should it take to observe results?
Filler results are instantly noticed. Best results are usually 2-3 weeks post-treatment as residual swelling and or bruising will at that stage have subsided. Usually, a bruise if present can last for up to seven days.
Are dermal fillers safe?
One of the main risks of dermal fillers is presenting with a vascular occlusion post-treatment. This means your filler is constricting normal blood flow and oxygenation to your tissues in the area of injection. This is seen as a medical emergency and immediately requires the dissolving of the filler. This is the importance of attending a medical professional for your filler treatment who is trained in dealing with filler complications. Filler and filler dissolver is a prescription-only medicine and should only be injected by a trained medical professional.
What are the expected side effects?
- Infection
- Bruising
- Tenderness
- Swelling
- Vascular occlusion/vessel obstruction.
- It is very uncommon to present with a delayed immune response to filler.
Is filler treatment painful?
Dr Nadine recommends receiving dental anesthesia injections to make your lip filler treatment pain-free. For other areas of treatment, Dr Nadine does not use a numbing agent as there is lidocaine present in your filler product. It therefore begins to numb the area of injection once treatment commences.
Pre-treatment advice
In order to recover quickly and minimise downtime post-treatment please adhere to the following advice.
- Avoid alcohol, caffeine and ibuprofens 48 hours pre-treatment.
- Avoid exercise 24 hours pre-treatment.
- Please notify Dr Nadine if you are feeling unwell or taking a course of steroids or antibiotics as she will most likely postpone your treatment.
- If you have an active cold sore or infection at the site of injection treatment must be deferred.
- Please advise Dr Nadine if you are prone to cold sores as a prophylaxis anti-viral can be prescribed and taken for a few days pre-treatment.
- Arnica tablets purchasable from a pharmacy can minimise the risk of bruising.
- Attend your appointment wearing no make-up or fake tan to reduce risk of infection.
- Attend at least two weeks before any special occasions or events.
Post-treatment advice
- After your treatment avoid excessive forms of heat.
- Avoid exercising for at least 24 hours post-injection.
- Avoid alcohol, caffeine and ibuprofens for 48 hours post-treatment.
- Arnica cream may be applied to reduce bruising.
- Avoid make-up on the injection site for a few days to reduce the risk of infection.
- Avoid face treatments or massage for 2 weeks.
