Dermal Fillers

How Do Dermal Fillers Work?

Dermal fillers are made up of hyaluronic acid, a substance that occurs naturally in the human body, and which gradually breaks down over a period of months. There are different types of fillers, and we’ll choose one that best suits your needs.

We stock only the highest quality dermal fillers – those that are totally safe and long-lasting.

They work by plumping the skin back to its fresher, more youthful appearance, giving a firmer definition (to your jaw or chin, for example), restoring volume and/or reducing the appearance of wrinkles through collagen replacement.

The results are immediate; but not permanent.

What's the difference between Skin Boosters and Dermal Fillers?

Filler injections have come a long way over the past decade. Once used to primarily enhance your features while restoring lost volume, today they can now also improve skin texture and boost hydration. So, what exactly are the two different types of filler and how do they differ from one another?  The main difference is the way the two types of filler are injected. Skin Boosters are injected into the skin to hydrate and improve overall quality while Dermal Fillers are injected underneath the skin's surface to add volume. The product itself is also slightly different. It’s a less complex combination that only includes the hyaluronic acid (water) of dermal filler without the binding compound that provides volume, fullness and lift. When injecting into the skin, the filler is formulated with antioxidants and vitamins causing new collagen and elastin to be produced that result in healthy-looking, glowing and plump skin.

Benefits of Skin Boosters include:  

• Boosting skin hydration
• Improving skin quality (texture, elasticity and firmness)
• Lessening the appearance of acne scarring  
• Reducing fine lines  
• Complimenting other treatments
• Improving imperfections of the skin  

Benefits of Dermal Fillers include:

• Restoring volume
• Reducing wrinkles
• Contouring or reshaping facial features  
• Filling volume under the eyes
• Rejuvenating hands  

Immediately after dermal filler injections the treatment area may be red, tender or swollen. The redness and tenderness should improve after 48 hours. Swelling is often worse on days 2-3 after injection, improved by day 5 and resolved by 2 weeks. • For significant swelling contact your practitioner for advice. Swelling may be reduced by regular cold compress, anti-inflammatory medicines such as Ibuprofen (after 24 hours, if safe for you to take), antihistamines and sleeping with your head propped up on 3 pillows to help drainage of fluid overnight. • Bruising is common following treatment; this will resolve naturally but may take up to 2 weeks to settle. • Regular application of Arnica cream may be helpful for bruising. • Tenderness is normal when the injected area is touched afterwards but active pain at rest is not normal. If you experience pain, you must contact your practitioner as soon as possible. • Avoid any makeup for 24 hours after treatment as this will reduce the risk of infection. • You may require a top up appointment if there is some mild unevenness or discrepancies noticed once the initial swelling has resolved. Top ups should not be done until 2 weeks, this is when all post-injection swelling would have resolved. • Drink plenty of water after treatment to keep well hydrated. • Avoid alcohol, caffeine, hot drinks and spicy food for 24 hours. • Avoid medications such as aspirin or Ibuprofen for 24 hours as they are blood thinning agents and may worsen bruising (if these medications have been advised by your GP you must check with your GP before stopping them) • Avoid supplements such as multivitamins, fish oils, glucosamine and Vitamin B or Vitamin E, which are blood thinning agents and may exacerbate bruising for 24 hours (if these supplements have been advised by your GP please check with your GP before stopping them) • Avoid any excess sun exposure, extremes of hot/cold, saunas, swimming or strenuous exercise until the redness and swelling has settled. • A rare complication of dermal fillers is vascular occlusion in which a blood vessel is accidentally blocked with filler. Signs and symptoms include throbbing and aching pain which can be severe, paleness, a cold feeling to the tissue and purple streaky mottling tissue changes. If you notice any of these symptoms you must contact your practitioner as soon as possible, they will guide you through how to perform a capillary refill test and then assess you fully and advise further action if required. • You must seek medical attention and contact your practitioner if you experience any signs or symptoms of infection after treatment. Infection can present as hot, red shiny skin, there may be pus formation and you may have a fever or feel generally unwell. • You must seek emergency medical attention if you experience any severe allergy symptoms after treatment. Symptoms may include rash, facial swelling and breathing difficulties. • You must contact your practitioner as an emergency if you notice any visual disturbance or loss of vision after the filler injections. • Contact your practitioner as soon as possible if you notice any other unwanted side effects. • Results can be assessed at 2 weeks, by which point any residual swelling should have settled. 

‍