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DERMAL FILLER FAQ'S

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WHAT IS DERMAL FILLER?

Dermal filler is a hyaluronic acid dermal filler, which is a sugar protein found naturally within our own skin. When this is injected into the skin, each molecule attracts it's own weight up to 1000X in water, providing immediate plumping and hydration.

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WHICH DERMAL FILLER DO YOU USE?

We use the Restylane line of products which includes:  Restylane®, Restylane-L®, Restylane® Lyft with Lidocaine, Restylane® Silk, Restylane® Refyne, and Restylane® Defyne. The Restylane® line smooths away facial wrinkles and folds (Restylane, Restylane Lyft, Restylane Refyne, Restylane Defyne) provides subtle lip enhancement (Restylane, Restylane Silk) smooths the lines around the mouth (Restylane Silk) adds lift and volume to the cheeks (Restylane Lyft) and helps reverse the signs of volume loss in the back of the hands (Restylane Lyft).

 

We also offer the Teoxane range of products. 

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ARE DERMAL FILLERS ANIMAL-BASED?

No. Restylane is non-animal based and is free from animal protein.

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DO I NEED AN ALLERGY TEST BEFOREHAND?

No. As hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring protein within our body, the risk of allergy is extremely low and testing is not needed.

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HOW LONG DO DERMAL FILLERS LAST?

It depends on the area being treated. In the lips and other superficial areas, dermal fillers last on average, between 6-9 months. In the cheeks and jaw, dermal fillers last on average 9 - 12 months.

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HOW LONG DOES THE TREATMENT TAKE?

Schedule an hour for your appointment. 

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IS THE PROCEDURE ITSELF PAINFUL?

No aesthetic treatment should not be 'painful'. Dermal fillers are injected in tiny amounts using ultra-fine needles. Nevertheless, we offer two different types of numbing agents, from topical cream to injectable anaesthetic (otherwise known as a 'dental block') if required.

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ARE THE RESULTS INSTANT?

Yes.

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WHAT AREAS CAN BE TREATED?

Dermal filler can be used almost anywhere on the face to lift, contour, fill, erase and soften fine lines and wrinkles.

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HOW MUCH FILLER DO I NEED? 1.0ML, OR MORE?

How 'much' filler you need depends on your individual factors and expectations. As a general rule, most 'areas' require 1.0ml - so, for example, marionette lines, nasolabial folds, turning up a downturned mouth, smokers lines. However, this is very dependent on you and what you are hoping to achieve - for example, a 20year old simply wanting to enhance their cheekbones may require less product than a 55year old wishing to improve loss of volume. Booking a free, in-depth consultation with our advanced medical practitioner can help guide you.

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IS THERE ANYTHING I SHOULD - OR SHOULDN'T DO - PRIOR TO THE TREATMENT?

We advise you not to drink alcohol or take Ibuprofen within the preceding 24hours of your appointment, as this can increase the risk of bruising.

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WHAT CAN I EXPECT AFTER MY TREATMENT?

Depending on the area(s) treated and individual factors, you may swell and / or bruise in the treated area(s). Rest assured many people do not swell or bruise at all, and if swelling and / or bruising does occur, it tends to be minimal and easily covered with make-up!

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IS THERE ANYTHING I SHOULD OR SHOULDN'T DO AFTER HAVING DERMAL FILLER?

Do not vigorously massage the treated areas in the days after the treatment.

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WHAT IF I DON'T LIKE IT?

All of our treatments are fully customised to YOU and only carried out following an in-depth discussion, so this is very unlikely! However, rest assured that all hyaluronic acid dermal fillers can be safely dissolved.

 

WHAT ABOUT ANY RISKS?

Dermal fillers are very safe when licensed products are injected by experienced medical professionals (we have undertaken hundreds of procedures and remember, no 'one day courses here!). The main risks associated with dermal  fillers are associated with the injections themselves - that is, pinprick redness and pinprick bleeding (both of which resolve during the treatment) and a small risk of pinprick bruising.  The use of Restylane in African-American patients can result in darkening of the skin colour which should resolve in several weeks. If you have previously had cold sores, the use of dermal filler around the mouth area can occasionally reactivate the virus - this can be overcome with either prophylaxis medication, or taking your own if you get the 'tell tale tingle' thereafter. There is a small risk of infection, but all products are one-time-use and prepared and administered in an aseptic environment. There is an extremely remote risk  (less than one in a million) of vascular / arterial occlusion, but rest assured that we are trained to recognise and treat this extremely rare complication. 

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IS THERE ANYBODY WHO CANNOT HAVE DERMAL FILLERS?

You cannot have dermal fillers if:

You are pregnant.

You are breastfeeding.

You are under 18 years of age.

You are highly allergic (e.g, gram positive bacteria).

You are prone to bleeding disorders.