Treatment: Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers are sterile gels used to plump and lift areas of the skin, providing an instant result and restoring the skin’s former youthful appearance.

There are many different fillers on the market, however at The Aesthetic MediSpa our priority is to only offer treatments with the highest of safety profiles. The dermal filler products we use, such as Emervel, Restylane and Juvederm, are manufactured by major pharmaceutical companies and as such have undergone years of rigorous independent research, are FDA approved and are proven to be safe and effective.

Dermal fillers vary in their composition, but hyaluronic acid fillers such as Emervel, Restylane and Juvederm are the most favoured by aesthetic experts, because they are the safest. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance within the body that attracts water to it, hydrating our skin and promoting softness and fullness. As we age our own hyaluronic acid diminishes and therefore once injected, dermal fillers work by replacing your depleted hyaluronic acid.

Dermal fillers can be used anywhere on the body but typically they are used in the face to lift lines, soften wrinkles and contour and enhance certain facial features. The most popular areas to be treated are: nose to mouth (nasolabial folds), mouth to chin (marionette lines), cheeks, tear trough (semi circle under the eyes) and lips. Our doctor has over 15 years experience with injectables and their aesthetic eye and skill at facial sculpting allows us to achieve a natural look that is flattering, not false looking.

During your consultation with the doctor a full medical history will be taken to assess your suitability, and the benefits and potential side effects will be discussed in full. The treatment can take as little as 15 minutes, but it depends on the area being treated. All of our filler products contain local anaesthetic so discomfort is minimal allowing for a comfortable treatment experience.

Immediately after the treatment there may be some slight redness or mild swelling in the treated area. Lips tend to be more sensitive and swelling after lip fillers can last a few days. Delicate and experienced injecting skills means that the majority of our patients do not bruise after our filler treatments. If there is any residual redness after the treatment mineral make-up will be applied so you can return back to work or resume your normal daily activities immediately.

The treatment benefits can be seen instantly and will continue to improve over the next week as hyaluronic acid starts to attract moisture and plump out the lines, wrinkles or folds. The beauty of hyaluronic acid fillers is that whilst the results are long lasting they are not permanent, allowing you to control your looks as you age. On average fillers last 9-12 months (subdermal fillers such as those used in the cheek and chin can last 18 months) however the duration of the effect will depend on a person’s age, the quantity of filler used, quality of skin, as well as general health and lifestyle.

Advanced injection techniques and improved product safety means that side effects are extremely uncommon however they can include hypersensitivity and as with all injections the possibility of infection.

In the unlikely event that a patient is unhappy with the results or has a reaction to the product, hyaluronic acid fillers can be dissolved with the injectable enzyme, hyaluronidase (hyalase).

• Your initial visit to The Aesthetic MediSpa begins with a no obligation consultation, which typically last for around 30 minutes.
• Your consultation will be carried out by our highly experienced Aesthetic Doctor, who has been practicing Aesthetic Medicine exclusively for over 15 years.
• Your consultation will begin by listening to and understanding your concerns and requirements and discussing how best we can meet and exceed your expectations.
• The various treatment options, together with the benefits and any potential risks of the treatment will be discussed.
• You will have ample opportunity to ask questions during your consultation, which will be answered honestly and openly.
• There is no obligation to book the treatment with us after your consultation and you will not be rushed into making a decision.

• We appreciate that many of our patients have very busy schedules or travel a significant distance to attend our clinics. In addition, we often find that patients have done significant research regarding the treatment prior to their consultation. It is therefore possible to carry out a treatment such as dermal fillers immediately after the consultation.
• If you think you may wish to proceed with the treatment after the consultation then please advise our staff at the time of booking your consultation so we can adjust your appointment time accordingly.
• Please note that if you book an appointment for a consultation and treatment and you want to think about the treatment further after the consultation, then there is absolutely no obligation to proceed with the treatment.

• As with all needle based treatments there is always a small possibility of bruising after your treatment. To reduce this risk we advise that you do not take anti-inflammatory pain-killers (e.g. Aspirin, Ibruprofen Neurofen, Voltarol) or St Johns Wart or Vitamin E supplements, for at least a week before your treatment, as they all increase your tendency towards bleeding.
• Alcohol will also increase your tendency towards bleeding therefore we advise you to refrain from alcohol for 24 hours.
• Before your treatment you will be provided with a detailed consent form which you will be asked to read and sign.

• We are extremely careful to ensure that any risk of bruising or redness is kept to a minimum, however, if required we will apply mineral make-up, so you can return back to work or resume your normal daily activities immediately.
• You can drive yourself home or return to work immediately after the treatment.
• Depending on the volume of product used or the extent of the treatment some minor swelling can occur after your treatment. Cold packs can be applied to the area to reduce this.
• With lip treatments, swelling is to be expected. It is therefore wise to choose your treatment time appropriately, as there may be noticeable swelling or unevenness for a few days. The results directly after the treatment should therefore not be seen as the final results.
• Patients who suffer from cold sores and who are having treatment around the mouth area may be recommended to take antiviral medication for a few days prior to and a few days post treatment, as there is a risk that the treatment may precipitate recurrence of cold sores/herpes virus. This medication can be obtained from the clinic.
• For 2 weeks after the treatment you are advised to avoid extreme heat (solarium or sunbathing)

• Review appointments are not routinely required after dermal filler treatment however we are always happy to see you again (or liaise on the telephone or via email) to discuss your treatment or if you have any concerns.
• Occasionally, touch up procedures or additional treatment is requested by the patient in order to achieve optimal correction and maximise the duration of the results. Please note that dermal fillers are charged per syringe and therefore additional costs will be incurred if further product is required.

• One of the great advantages of the dermal fillers used at The Aesthetic MediSpa is that the effects are long lasting but not permanent. You are always in control of your looks-you can continue or change the treatment you have had or repeat the procedure as often as you like.
• For facial lines and facial sculpting most patients choose to have further treatment 6-12 months after the initial treatment .The aesthetic effects of the treatment vary from person to person depending on the condition of the skin, area treated, amount of product injected and lifestyle factors such as sun exposure and smoking.
• When the lips have been treated further treatment is normally required after 6 months as the average life of the treatment is less in the lips than in other areas because of the high vascularisation (blood supply) and the action of the lip area.
• For your convenience we have a text reminder service to let you know when your next treatment is due. Please inform our staff if you do not wish to receive reminder text messages.