Dermal fillers
Dermal fillers are injections used to fill out wrinkles and creases in the skin.
They can also be used to increase the volume and definition of the lips and cheeks.
The fillers are made from a variety of materials and the effects can be either temporary or permanent, depending on the type of filler:
collagen – effects last three to four months
hyaluronic acid – lasts about four to six months
calcium hydroxylapatite – lasts about 18 months
poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) – effects of injections given over several months may last up to two years
polymethylmethacrylate beads (PMMA) – permanent, but most risky
Before you go ahead
If you’re considering dermal fillers, be certain about why you want to have them.
The procedure can be expensive and has its limitations.
Cost: In the UK, facial fillers cost about £150 to £300 per session, depending on the amount of product used.
Limitations:
Fillers aren’t permanent.
There’s no guarantee the desired effect will be achieved. The ageing process will still happen elsewhere – fillers will not, for example, fix a sagging jawline.
Safety: Take time to find a reputable practitioner who is properly qualified and practices in a clean, safe and appropriate environment. Ask the practitioner what you should do if something were to go wrong.
What it involves
You will be offered a local anesthetic cream or injection. The practitioner injects the filler in a series of small injections and may massage the area.
The treatment time can vary from 30 minutes to an hour. It may be uncomfortable, but should not be very painful.
Possible Risks, Complications & Side Effects to Dermal Fillers
- Hypersensitivity, Allergic response, Anaphylactic reaction (rare but can occur)
- Formation of nodules (lumps) around the treated area
- Slight visibility/palpability of the product under the skin
- Persistent bruising which may last up to several weeks
- Infection/abscess formation following treatment, eruption of cold sores
- Small/Rare possibility of filler being injected into a blood vessel which could lead to blockage of the blood flow to the area supplied by the blood vessel causing skin soreness, coldness, numbing and discoloration. Please contact the clinic as soon as possible in this instance.
- Perfect symmetry may not be achievable.
- Limited or non-response to treatment
- Extremely rare risk of blindness if filler is injected into certain anatomical sites, such as the Glabella, Nasolabial folds and the Nose.
Possible general Complications
- Stinging/tingling/burning/bruising/swelling
- Injection site bleeding/skin redness around treatment area
General Aftercare Post treatment with Dermal Fillers
- Avoid touching and rubbing and make-up to the treated areas for 4 hours
- Avoid extreme heat/cold for up to 1 week post treatment
- Abstain from Alcohol, heavy exercise for 24 hours
- Stay out of Sunlight/UV radiation until redness and swelling has resolved.
After Dermal Filler Treatment
- You may find it helpful to apply iced gauze to the treated area
- Treatment is immediate but can take up to 14 days to settle
- Do not rub, massage, apply make-up the treated areas for at least 4 hours after treatment
- Dermal fillers can last anything between 6 -18 months
What to do if you have problems
If you’ve had fillers and are not happy with the results or are experiencing problems such as lumpiness, take up the matter with your practitioner through the clinic where you were treated.
If there are any complications that require medical attention, it is best that you go back to the practitioner who treated you. If this is not possible, you can go to your GP or local accident and emergency (A&E) department.
You can also report any side effects directly through the Yellow Card Scheme website. By reporting side effects, you are helping to provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cosmetic-treatments/dermal-fillers/
