What are dermal fillers and what are they made of?
✔ fill wrinkles and skin folds
✔ add volume
✔ contour facial features
✔ improve skin hydration.
The most commonly used type of dermal fillers are gel-like substances made of hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is a polysaccharide (sugar chain molecule) occurring naturally in the skin and soft tissues of the body. Its natural function in the skin is: to attract and bind water, provide volume, hydrate, support collagen and elastin fibers and act as a carrier for chemical messages between cells. Hyaluronic acid based dermal fillers are usually manufactured by fermentation and cross linking with proteins to produce a clear, sterile gel for injections into the skin layers. Hyaluronic acid fillers are popular because they have a long standing safety profile and can be reversed with Hyalase (medication containing an enzyme which breaks down hyaluronic acid).
Similar dermal filler type (Ageness®) has recently been introduced and contain agarose gel (type of sugar molecule extracted from particular seaweed) in addition to hyaluronic acid. Calcium hydroxyapatite based (Radiesse®) dermal filler is a different type, which has been used for many years for facial sculpting. Calcium hydroxyapatite is also a naturally occurring substance in the body found in the bones and teeth. Further types of dermal fillers include: polycaprolactone ( Ellanse®) and poly-L-lactic acid (Sculptra®). These dermal filler types have the advantage of lasting longer because they stimulate natural collagen production. However, a drawback is that they are not reversible should the need for this arise.
Permanent (non-biodegradable) fillers, commonly made of polymethylmethacrylaye, are associated with more side effects and are rarely used in aesthetics nowadays.
What is the difference between the hyaluronic acid based dermal filler brands?
In
UK there are over 160 different brands of dermal fillers available. Most brands are hyaluronic acid based fillers. However, not all of these brands are the same. The brands vary in the technologies they use for: cross linking of hyaluronic acid, the uniformity of the particle size, and the hyaluronic acid concentration. Each brand also has a range of
'tissue tailored' fillers for specific cosmetic indications, requiring
different injection techniques and depth of application. This means that the properties of the different filler brands may not be interchangeable even if they state that they have the
same indications (e.g. lip augmentation).
The manufactures of well established brands have invested substantially in development and research into the safety of their products, the cost of this is reflected in the price of their fillers. Legitimate brands are not available for general sale in the UK and should only be administered by trained healthcare practitioners.
The manufactures of well established brands have invested substantially in development and research into the safety of their products, the cost of this is reflected in the price of their fillers. Legitimate brands are not available for general sale in the UK and should only be administered by trained healthcare practitioners.
What brands are available at Aesthetics by Silvie?
Teosyal® (Teoxane)
Juvederm® (Allergan)
Belotero® (Merz)
Restylane® (Galdema)
Radiesse® (Merz)
What results can I expect and how long do they last?
When injected into the skin hyaluronic acid based dermal fillers provide
instant correction and rejuvenation, although full integration of dermal filler into the treated tissues may take up to two weeks. Hyaluronic acid fillers are
biodegradable and temporary. Depending on the type of filler and the area treated the effects can last up to 18 months. More specific predicted duration would be provided at the consultation appointment, based on your individual treatment.
Are the injections painful?
The treatment may be uncomfortable but it is not usually painful. Most dermal fillers contain local anaesthetic to provide pain relief during treatment.
In
addition, topical or regional analgesia is available to ensure
comfort. Some areas, such as the lips, are more painful that others.
That is why anaesthetic nerve block is available for lip
augmentation at Aesthetics by Silvie.
Are there any side effects and contraindications?
As with any treatment, dermal filler injections carry a degree of risk. Adverse effects are uncommon. Treatment suitability and all risks and complications will be discussed at your consultation.
Side effects are usually temporary and include, but are not limited to: redness, bruising, swelling, itchiness, tenderness, lumps, asymmetry.
Contraindications and cautions include: pregnancy & breastfeeding, previous adverse reactions or allergy to dermal fillers or local anaesthetic, if you take certain medications, if you suffer from a bleeding disorder, if there is any skin infection at the treatment area.
Side effects are usually temporary and include, but are not limited to: redness, bruising, swelling, itchiness, tenderness, lumps, asymmetry.
Contraindications and cautions include: pregnancy & breastfeeding, previous adverse reactions or allergy to dermal fillers or local anaesthetic, if you take certain medications, if you suffer from a bleeding disorder, if there is any skin infection at the treatment area.
What aftercare should I do?
Please see the video below for aftercare instructions:
What dermal filler treatments are available at Aesthetics by Silvie?
The following treatments are available:✔ Lip augmentation
✔ Cheek augmentation
✔ Jawline contouring
✔ Chin augmentation and contouring
✔ Marionette lines / Jowls filler
✔ Nasolabial lines
✔ Temples filler
✔ Perioral lines filler
✔ Hand rejuvenation
✔ Skin re-hydrating and skin booster treatment