Hyaluronic acid is a substance that is normally produced by the body and it is plentiful when we are born. It occurs naturally in the deeper layers of our skin (the dermis). It helps to keep skin smooth and “plump” because it is able to hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water. The ability to retain and hold moisture is the secret to youthful, healthy, vibrant skin. As we get older our bodies produce less and less hyaluronic acid. The drop starts at around the age of 18-20 years. But after the age of 40 the downward slide becomes much quicker.
Skin starts to lose its elasticity and lines and wrinkles appear on the skin. Hyaluronic acid also supports the formation and maintenance of collagen. So we need to replace the lost hyaluronic acid as we get older because the muscle movement from facial expression starts to form a visible wrinkle on the skin even after the muscle movement stops and this is called a ‘static’ wrinkle.
The areas where Dermal Fillers can be used:
Dermal Fillers are gels, which can be injected into the skin to fill out wrinkles & deep skin folds, correct depressed scars, enlarge or reshape the lips and enhance the size of the cheeks or chin. They are Non-Permanent/Temporary fillers composed of Non-Animal Stabilised Hyaluronic Acid (HA), which is a stable biodegradable substance that naturally metabolises out of the body over time.
There are several competing companies that produce Dermal Fillers. Each company also has different types of fillers available. There are soft, moderately thick fillers that can be injected in the most superficial layers of the skin i.e. just underneath the surface. There are firmer, thicker fillers that can be injected a little deeper for larger wrinkles and to enhance some features such as cheeks and the jawline. Then there are fillers that are specifically designed for use in certain areas of the face such as the lips and the tear troughs. Dermal Fillers can also vary in the amount of swelling and fluid attraction they produce once injected into the face.
The amount of Dermal Filler required for the treatment will depend upon your own expectations and the area to be treated. It is sometimes not possible or not advisable to get a full correction in the first treatment. Further treatments over a period of time to gradually fill up the area are often the best way to achieve optimum results. This ‘layering’ of filler in an area by repeating the treatment over a few weeks to achieve the final effect, has been shown to increase the longevity of the filler and therefore prolong the final result. Further injections of filler can be done at an additional treatment and also ‘correctional treatments’ can be done to further define an area such as lips and the jawline. In most cases only a small amount is required at a correctional treatment and often a residual amount of Dermal Filler is saved from your first treatment for use at these follow up treatments.
Yes, this treatment does involve the use of needles and there is a very small amount of discomfort involved with the injection. But trust me, it is worth it and the minimal discomfort is over in an instant!
Dermal Filler can also be injected into the lower cheeks if there is a loss of fat and the area looks ‘sunken’ or hollow after a loss of weight or just from a result of general aging – but in this area the Dermal Filler can be injected using a blunt needle or ‘cannula’ or more commonly using the revolutionary new V2 Injector which can inject a smaller overall amount of Dermal Filler into a larger area. The V2 Injector gives your cosmetic therapist the ability to inject ‘micro’ amounts of Dermal Filler into precise depths within the skin. Each injection consists of 9 tiny individual micro needles – so a large area on the lower cheeks can be treated using just 1 ml of Dermal Filler to gradually revolumise the area evenly without any lumps. Repeating the treatment every few months can create a beautifully naturally looking result to give a radiant youthful appearance.
Unfortunately, everything we put on, in or expose our body to has a potential side effect. Luckily, any side effects from this treatment are extremely rare. It is not possible to be allergic to the active ingredient in temporary dermal fillers but it is rarely possible to have an allergic reaction to the preservatives used to stabilize those fillers, which can lead to prolonged local swelling and redness. It is possible to get bruising from the injections so please make sure you plan the date of your treatment and avoid have a Dermal Filler treatment close to any special event or occasion. Of course any bruising will clear completely within 1-10 days with no long term effects (see Bruising for advice on what to do if you get bruising after a treatment). Immediately after a Dermal Filler treatment, most people look ‘puffy’ in the treated area because Dermal Fillers will naturally attract water and create swelling. This lasts for about 48 hours and is usually mild and only noticeable to you or friends who know you. Once the swelling has settled the Dermal Filler will give fullness to the area injected that will last for around 6 months
Local anaesthetic injections are used to numb the cheeks and chin before Dermal Filler is injected to enhance these features. In all other treatments, the area is numbed by applying an anaesthetic cream for 45-60 minutes before the treatment or the area is cooled with ice to reduce any feeling in the area to be injected and help reduce (but not prevent) the formation of bruises and swelling.
Dermal Filler Treatments are performed by Cosmetic Doctors and Cosmetic Nurses.
PURCHASE ANY FURTHER 1ml of DERMAL FILLER (SAME OR LESSER PRICE) AT THE SAME TREATMENT GET 10% OFF THAT EXTRA 1ml of DERMAL FILLER
PURCHASE ANY FURTHER 2ml+ of DERMAL FILLER (SAME OR LESSER PRICE) AT THE SAME TREATMENT GET 10% OFF THE ENTIRE TREATMENT
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