WHAT IS DERMAL FILLER?
There are two categories of dermal filler – temporary and permanent.
Fillers are soft injectable products used to smooth out lines and wrinkles, treat acne scars and depressions, reshape the nose and also restore lost volume to the face.
Dermal filler is also used to increase volume of the lips to give the face a younger looking appearance. More on lip enhancement
HOW DOES DERMAL FILLER WORK?
Temporary Dermal Filler
The temporary dermal fillers used by our doctors are made from hyaluronic acid, a non-allergenic substance that is naturally found in the skin. A variety of gel-like injectable products are available to plump out lines and wrinkles which have varying properties and durability. (Your doctor will advise which is the appropriate filler to achieve your desired look.)
Permanent Dermal Filler
Made from polyacrylamide hydrogel, this dermal filler forms a soft and permanent implant under the skin once injected.
Polyacrymides are widely used in medicine in the production of contact lenses and prosthetics. They are non-toxic due to their resistance to biodegradation and inability to pass into body membranes.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Dermal filler costs are quoted dependant on the amount required. Filler is priced per 0.5ml or 1ml and the cost varies between temporary and permanent fillers.
To receive an accurate quote, a free consultation with the Doctor is required to determine how much will be used and which type of filler will be suitable.
THE CONSULTATION – WHAT TO EXPECT.
Consultation is free and there is no obligation to go through with treatment.
With any new treatment that you are considering at Cosmetic Image Clinics, the Doctor will discuss your requirements with you and ensure all your questions are answered prior to the procedure taking place.
At consultation stage the Doctor will:
- Tailor the treatment to suit your individual needs
- Discuss costs
- Discuss the use of local anaesthetic
- Discuss the risks of treatment
- Discuss any medical concerns you may have
HOW LONG DOES THE PROCEDURE TAKE, WHEN WILL I SEE THE RESULTS?
Treatment with dermal filler takes around 20-30 minutes and with most patients a topical anaesthetic cream or a dental block injection is used to numb area before treatment.
The Doctor will be able to advise you at consultation stage whether you will require numbing cream. If you are required to numb the area prior to the procedure, your appointment will be made half an hour before your dermal filler treatment to ensure you are comfortable during the procedure.
A very fine needle is used to ‘fill’ the wrinkle, line or skin depression with dermal filler. The results are instant and some swelling may occur.
Temporary filler results are instant and can last from 3-9 months. There are newer products which can last up to 18 months or 2 years. With temporary fillers, repeat treatments are required regularly before the effect wears off, in order to maintain your look.
Permanent filler is administered with a fine needle. This type of filler takes the form of a soft and permanent implant under the skin once injected. After your first treatment with permanent filler, you may require a 2nd top up treatment to ensure that you achieve the look you desire. The Doctor will be able to advise you of this at consultation stage.
If you are considering permanent filler, we recommend you ‘test drive’ the look with a temporary filler before opting for a permanent solution.
If you do decide you would like to upgrade to a permanent product, there must be a 6 month gap between your last temporary filler treatment and your treatment with permanent filler before the doctor can administer a permanent solution to the treated area.
It is essential that you follow the post and pre treatment instructions for dermal filler that include avoiding fish oils, smoking and blood thinning products 7 days prior to treatment to reduce the risk of swelling and bruising.
We strongly recommend if you are preparing for a special event such as a wedding or work function that you have treatment 14 days prior to the event.
WHICH LINES & WRINKLES CAN BE TREATED WITH DERMAL FILLER?
WHAT OTHER AREAS CAN BE TREATED WITH DERMAL FILLERS?
- Marionette lines (lines from corners of mouth to chin)
- Oral commissures (downturned corners of mouth)
- Perioral lines (smokers lines, lipstick bleed)
- Lip border and volume
- Correcting a hair-lip
- Facial Contouring
- Jaw shaping (eg. softening square jaw)
- Chin enhancement
- Cheek enhancement and adding volume to face
- Nose reshaping (nose tip, crooked nose, build up bridge)
- Depressed scars, acne pits
- Revitalisation of the, hands, neck and decolletage
TREATMENT OF THE HANDS, NECK AND DÉCOLLETAGE
Dermal filler can also be used to restore a youthful appearance to the hands, neck and décolletage by smoothing out lines and wrinkles.
Images supplied by Q-Med (Sweden) Australia Pty Ltd
WILL I LIKE THE LOOK?
The look created with filler can reduce the depths of lines and wrinkles and produce a younger, fresher look. Many patients have reported the positive effect that this type of facial rejuvenation has had on their daily lives.
If you do not like the look your treatment has given you, there is the option of reversing the treatment with a hyalase injection which dissolves and removes temporary filler. As permanent fillers are not reversible, we strongly recommend test driving the look with temporary filler before opting for a permanent solution.