DERMAL FILLER TREATMENT
What are HA dermal fillers?
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Hyaluronic Acid Dermal fillers are a soft injectable gel made up of stabilised, non-animal Hyaluronic Acid. The gel works well within the tissue as it resembles the Hyaluronic Acid naturally occurring within the skin. As we age our natural Hyaluronic Acid diminishes contributing to facial volume loss. Dermal fillers work by adding volume to specific areas to either increase their size for example in the lips, cheeks and chin. Dermal fillers are also great for reducing the appearance of fine lines, filling deep wrinkles, lifting the skin to reduce the appearance of drooping and defining or softening facial contours.
Which areas can be treated?
The most common areas treated are nasolabial folds (nose to mouth lines), the lips, cheeks, chin and marionette lines (deep wrinkles located just under the corners of the mouth). In recent years increasingly larger numbers of patients are seeking fillers to treat tear trough lines (under eye lines) and jawline to achieve a more youthful and/or contoured look.
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What will happen at my initial consultation?
During your initial consultation your Aesthetic Practitioner will firstly listen to what you would like from the treatment and discuss what you are trying to achieve. Following this assessment recommendations will be made based on your specific desired outcome. This will include the areas that can be treated, the amount of product needed and the technique that is most suitable to achieve your desired look. Dermal filler products vary in thickness, anesthetic content and longevity, so the brand of filler which is most likely to result in the most appealing outcome will be discussed and agreed upon. Once you and the Aesthetic Practitioner have agreed on the treatment you would like to receive, you will then receive a personalized treatment plan based upon your concerns and objectives, facial anatomy and medical history.
The procedure
Once the Aesthetic Practitioner has taken pre-treatment pictures and you have signed your consent form the treatment will begin. The Aesthetic Practitioner will apply a local anesthetic cream to the injection sites and wait for this to take effect. Once you are adequately numbed the Aesthetic Practitioner will then begin injecting small amounts of dermal filler using a very fine needle or cannula until the desired look has been achieved. Throughout the treatment, the Aesthetic Practitioner will ensure that you are comfortable and support you through the procedure. Once the desired effect has been achieved the dermal filler will then be massaged tactfully by the Aesthetic Practitioner and your post-treatment pictures will be taken. Treatment with dermal fillers typically lasts between 20-30 minutes.
Will the treatment be painful?
Generally dermal fillers are well tolerated by clients. The injections themselves feel like a slight pinch and/or ‘stinging’ sensation as the product is being injected. Depending on the area being treated and/or your preferences the Aesthetic Practitioner may decide to use a Dermal filler containing local anesthetic (Lidocaine) which makes the treatment more tolerable.
Down time/ Aftercare
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The great thing about dermal fillers is that treatment does not require any downtime and clients are able to resume their normal daily activities immediately.
After dermal filler treatment, some reactions are relatively common for example slight redness, swelling, itching, bruising and/or tenderness. The reactions are generally mild to moderate and typically resolve 48- 72 hours after treatment, this can take up to 2 weeks for some individuals. See our patient information aftercare advice leaflet below.
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How long will my results last?
Results typically last 6-12 months. However for some individuals dermal fillers can last for up to 18 months. Longevity will depend on how your body reacts to and breaks down the dermal filler, the area treated, the dermal filler product used, the volume of product used and certain environmental factors.
Are dermal fillers safe?
Whilst the Dermal Fillers we use have been rigorously tested and have a very good safety record, no injectable treatment is risk free. We recommend that you always seek an appropriately trained and skilled Medical Professional to administer any injectable treatment. At Refresh London Medical Aesthetics only fully registered, NHS practicing health care professionals carry out our Dermal Filler treatments.
Who can have dermal fillers?
Most individuals over the age of 18 years of age who do not have an allergy to any of the active ingredients in the dermal filler being used can have this treatment. Dermal Fillers should not be used near to or on areas of the skin where there is active inflammation or infection. Also pregnant or breastfeeding women should not use Dermal Fillers. Prior to any procedure your Aesthetic Practitioner will discuss any allergies and/or medical conditions that you have thoroughly and decide on the best treatment options available to you.
