Dermal fillers plump the skin from the inside out by replacing lost fat and proteins to smooth lines and wrinkles.  

Dermal fillers replace lost volume so are used on static lines which remain visible on the face even when it’s relaxed and expressionless. Dynamic lines are visable on expression and are generally best treated with Botox.

Hyaluronic acid dermal fillers also have the advantage of being hydrophilic, that means they attract and retain water.  This internal moisturiser attracts water and holds it in the tissues, helping fill out the skin, creating the perfect plumping effect.

Dermal fillers can be made of various materials.  The dermal fillers I use in my clinic are all made of hyaluronic acid.  

This means they are closely matched to your own tissues and can be removed by dissolving if required.  As hyaluronic acid is present in your own body the safety profile is high.

I only use premium brand hyaluronic acid dermal fillers that I order through registered pharmacies in the UK.  

The brands I use include Teoxane, Merz and Croma, nothing I wouldn’t have in my own face as a rule.   

Dermal fillers made from hyaluronic acid vary in strength and the choice of product depends on your anatomy, the goal and technique I am using. I will use a different product for lip filler than chin filler or cheek filler, the injection techniques will also differ.

As a rough guide fillers will last between six and eighteen months, but that can vary between patients.  

Everyday your body will carry out its own housekeeping of your tissues, this includes dissolving of your own hyaluronic acid.  This same process will dissolve the dermal filler over time.  In mobile areas of the face, the mechanical movement of the tissues will help speed up this breaking down process.

The dermal fillers I use in my clinic are hyaluronic acid based, they are therefore not permanent. While it is disappointing that treatment needs to be maintained, its actually a good thing!

Should anything to wrong, I have the ability to reverse the hyaluronic acid dermal fillers using an enzyme prescription only medication, called Hyaluronidase. This is ensures your safety during the treatment.

Dermal fillers are generally safe, but they are best carried out by an experience medical professional.  You should check that the professional doing thetreatment is on a medical register, experienced and insured.  Prescribing medical professionals will have access to reversal prescription only medication, hyaluronidase should they need it.

The most common side effects are short lived and include redness at the site of the injections from the needle or cannula entry.  Bruising is also possible and resolves after a few days.

Serious problems are thankfully very rare, but can include infection, poor result, blockage of a blood vessel causing tissue death and extremely blindness. Dr Janice has undertaken many complication courses and is supported by medical colleagues should assistance be required.

The procedures of dermal fillers is a little bit uncomfortable, but they are worth it!  

I used the safest techniques to ensure minimal pain.  Topical numbing cream is applied to numb the skin prior to injection and most of the products include a local anaesthesia agent, Lidocaine to ensure the placement is comfortable.

Lip fillers are the most sensitive, due to the sensory nature of the lips. Cheek filler and chin filler is very well tolerated.  Most people are surprised how comfortable and quick dermal filler is.

Dermal fillers can be placed in various areas of the face including:

• Lip filler. The lips to restore or augment them
• Peri oral filler. Lipstick lines or smokers lines that form around the lips
• Cheeks filler to replace lost volume
• Nasio labial fold filler to reduce how deep this fold appears
• Chin filler to create the ideal facial profile and disguise a weak chin
• Marionette filler. Filler to the mouth corners to reduce the downturned appearance
• Jaw line filler to sharpen the angle of the jaw and soften the jowls
• Nose filler to smooth out bumps
• Tear trough filler to lift the hollows under the eyes in suitable cases.  This is often combined with cheek filler for excellent results
• Smile lines filler to reduce the creasing that appears beside the mouth when you smile

As we age collagen and elastin is lost from our skin, our facial fat pads loose volume and the bony skeleton of the face starts to resorb resulting in less support to the facial tissues.  All great news!

These changes will happen at different rates depending on genetic and lifestyle factors.

Therefore the time to consider dermal fillers will vary.

Younger patients are inclined to be open to the idea of lip filler, but you must bear in mind not to go to far, the facial profile might not be suitable for a larger lip.  Mature patients are quite often apprehensive about lip filler, but the results can be very natural with the right product and technique.

Dermal fillers are suitable for anyone who is in good health.

There are some conditions that may exclude you from the procedure. These include active infection in the area of concern, pregnancy, breastfeeding, allergy to any of the product contents or reversal medication.  They should be used with caution in those with autoimmune conditions such as Lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.

I wouldn’t say that dermal fillers are better than Botox injections.  Their purpose is different and they compliment each other.

Dermal fillers replace lost volume so are used on static lines which remain visible on the face even when it’s relaxed and expressionless. Dynamic lines are visable on expression and are generally best treated with Botox.

Dermal fillers can be removed and your body will resorb them over time as it carries out its own housekeeping of your tissues.  

If the amount of dermal filler is not excessive then your tissues will return to their normal, non filled shape. That said, if you have been having dermal fillers for a while and decide to have filler dissolved you may feel that the loss of volume is greater as it is difficult to remember your starting point.

It will usually take a few days to weeks after dermal filler for the treatment to fully settle. You should expect redness, swelling and tenderness in the treated area. This is usually due to the needle or cannula insertion.  If you are worried it is best to contact me directly.

There are a few precautions you should take following treatment:

• Avoid any heat inducing activities for 24-48 hours such as strenuous exercise, spas, saunas and hot showers.
• Avoid pressure on the area for the first 48 hours (no face down massages).
• Avoid alcohol for 24 hours
• Avoid active cosmeceutical products (AHAs, retinols, vitamin C) and oil-based makeup for 24 hours.
• Avoid touching the face too to avoid infection.
• Avoid facials, waxing, chemical peels, skin needling, microdermabrasion, IPL or laser treatments for 2 weeks after treatment.
• Do not massage the treatment area unless instructed to do so.
• Avoid any excessive kissing with fresh lip filler for the first 5 days, after that is up to you!