Dermal fillers are sterile hypo allergic gel like materials, supplied in a syringe (generally a 1 ml syringe) that can be injected at various depths in the skin.
Since their introduction nearly 20 years back dermal fillers have revolutionised cosmetic surgery. The have largely replaced the need for cheek or chin implants, fat transfers and in some instances are an alternative to facelifting.
Dermal fillers come in two broad types absorbable and non-absorbable, the later are not very popular as if things go wrong there is no way of reversing the effects.
In the absorbable type of dermal fillers there are two subtypes we use at Reforme Medical, HA (Hyaluronic Acid) Dermal Fillers and Biostimulatory Dermal Fillers (Radiesse).
The HA fillers are essentially a complex sugar molecule similar to the HA we have inside our skin; the only difference is that the synthetic HA is designed in such a way that the tissues can’t break it down as well as natural HA. The HA fillers have many different applications like:
The class of Biostimulatory Dermal Fillers used at Reforme is Radiesse, this is essentially Calcium Hydroxyapatite microspheres suspended in Methyl Cellulose. Radiesse can be used both for volumizing the cheeks, jawline or chin, but can also be used to stimulate the skin into making new collagen this being its biostimulatory application.
This collagen stimulation activity of Radiesse is harnessed by a special technique called Hyperdilute Calcium Hydroxyapatite Injection.
An accurate estimate of the costs is only possible after an in-clinic consultation with Dr Prashant. We charge a £50 deposit to secure your consultation with Dr Prashant, this amount will be deducted from the costs of the treatment you go on to have at our clinic.
Disclaimer – Prices mentioned are just indicative of current average price ranges for the treatment. You will need an in-clinic consultation for a quote applicable to you. Also note that prices are subject to change, please contact a member of the team to confirm the current price range.
What is involved in a dermal filler treatment?
Once you have had a detailed consultation and understood the nature of treatment, you will have to sign a consent, have photos of the area to be treated and proceed to the treatment. We advise all our patients to apply numbing cream to the area about 1 hour before the treatment. After cleansing with a powerful disinfectant, the dermal filler is placed into the area to be treated by either a needle or a cannula ( a blunt tube with a side hole, this needs to be introduced through a needle puncture).
The average treatment takes 35 – 60 minutes, after which you are ready to go home.
What is the care I need to take before having dermal fillers?
To reduce the chances of bruising we will ask you to stop taking supplements like Garlic, Fish Oil, Vit E, 2 weeks before your treatment. We also encourage people to start Arnica Pills a day before the treatment. If you suffer from cold sores and are having dermal fillers around your lips or mouth, you need to be started on oral antiviral tablets day before your treatment.
What aftercare is needed after dermal fillers?
We recommend that you stay upright as much as possible and that you sleep with a few extra pillows to keep the head elevated. We advise you not to massage or sleep on the treated side and not to engage in any form of exercise for a minimum of 2 days following treatment.
Are dermal fillers painful?
We ask all our patients to apply numbing cream to reduce the discomfort, the fillers we use also have local anesthesia properties making them bearable.
How many sessions of dermal fillers will I need?
The number of times you will need to have the treatment will vary with the area treated, filler used and volume used.
What are the side effects of dermal fillers?
The commonest side effect is pain and bruising. Rarely the dermal filler molecule can disrupt blood flow to an area of the face and cause necrosis of skin or even blindness. While it seems like a simple treatment, you should have it done with an expert injector who has got a good grasp of the vascular anatomy of the face.
How much downtime is needed after dermal fillers?
If you don’t develop any bruising after the treatment, and most patients don’t, there is no downtime following the treatment.
How long before I see the results of dermal fillers and how long do they last?
You can see the results of dermal fillers immediately in the case of volumizing HA fillers, in case of the biostimulatory fillers like hyperdilute Radiesse it takes a month or two to start seeing the difference. the duration of their effect varies from application to type of filler used.
What are the alternatives to dermal fillers?
The use of autologous fat transfer (AFT) can be used to volumise depleted areas in the face, this is a surgical treatment with much longer downtime compared to HA dermal fillers. Cheek, Jaw or Chin Implants are also available for use in the face.
Book a consultation for personalised cosmetic surgery or aesthetic treatment recommendations.
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