Dermal fillers

An appointment for injectable fillers normally takes from 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the number of areas being treated. It starts with a consultation with the doctor, after which a medical history is taken and a written informed consent is signed by the client. The procedure is well tolerated by most people and not considered painful.

A topical anaesthetic can be applied to make the injections more comfortable. Some of the filler brands we use have a built-in 0.3% lidocaine to provide local anaesthesia. Based on the areas to be treated, additional injections of lidocaine may be administered for full local anaesthesia.

To achieve  maximum satisfaction, fillers are often combined with other treatments. Your aesthetics doctor will advise you on the best course of treatment to suit your needs.

Hyaluronic acid is naturally present in the human body, and when we are young, large amounts are present in the dermis. It has a great capacity to bind water molecules – up to 1000 times its volume. This water binding capacity contributes to skin volume and good hydration.

As a result of the normal ageing process, the amount of HA in the skin decreases over time, contributing to  loss of volume of the skin and the appearance of lines, wrinkles and sagging.

Fortunately, modern aesthetic medicine can restore HA in the skin. Dermal fillers are made of synthetic hyaluronic acid. Treatment gives an immediate visual improvement in the appearance of lines, folds and wrinkles, as well as restoration of lost volume.

Shortly after the treatment, clients can appreciate an improvement in skin hydration and texture (smooth skin, smaller pores) and a more radiant complexion. Injectable HA fillers have minimal or no downtime.

Similar to skins, natural hyaluronic acid, HA fillers will slowly degrade. Depending on the thickness of the fillers, they generally last up to 36 months with just two maintenance treatments. Injectable fillers will last longer in younger patients, and in patients that lead a healthy lifestyle.

As our body metabolises out the HA fillers, it simultaneously produces new collagen and elastin. Thus, fillers also have a long term rejuvenating effect on the skin.

Because the fillers stimulate collagen synthesis, the patient will notice that a year later, when most fillers may be gone, the skin is in much better condition than initially, before the treatment.

Immediately after the treatment with injectable fillers, the appearance of lines, wrinkles and volume loss is visibly improved.

During the next two weeks post procedure, the injected fillers absorb water and expand in volume, so the maximum effect will be achieved in 3 weeks’ time.

It is normal to have mild redness and swelling at the injection points, which usually subsides within a few hours and is easy to camouflage with makeup. More sensitive areas of the face, like lips and the area under the eyes, may retain swelling for longer.

In most patients, a follow–up appointment is scheduled 2 to 4 weeks from the initial treatment with the purpose to correct/optimise the results and extend the life span of the fillers.

One of the most common side effects of injectable fillers, is bruising. It is temporary and usually clears within 4 to 14 days.

To minimise chances of bruising, it is advisable to avoid alcohol, aspirin and other blood-thinning substances a week prior to filler injections.

Allergic reactions to fillers may occur, but they are rare. If during the consultation the doctor suspects the possibility of an allergic reaction, a small test injection will be done first in the hidden area of the body.

There are some very rare complications that have been described: abscess formation, granulomas (small bumps), discoloration at injection sites, and necrosis (tissue death).

Should any painful hardening develop after filler injections it must be reported to your medical aesthetician as soon as possible.

48 hours prior to filler injections, it is advisable to refrain from alcohol, garlic, lidocaine and aspirin, or any other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Taking these precautions will significantly reduce the risk of bruising or bleeding at the point of injection.

There is minimal recovery time for filler injections. For the first 24 hours following the treatment please avoid strenuous exercise and alcohol consumption. It is advisable not to apply make up for 12 hours. Avoid extreme sun and/or heat exposure, UV light, freezing temperatures and saunas for 2 weeks after the treatment.