Dermal Filler
We are passionate about ensuring you know absolutely everything there is to know about any treatment you have at ORA. After all, knowledge is power and we want to work collaboratively with you to meet and exceed your skin goals.
Ahead of treatment, please follow these steps:
Step 1: Read our pre-care information here
Step 2: Read our after-care information here
Step 3: Check out the information below to understand more about your proposed treatment
Have a question? Please don't hesitate to contact us.
Dermal filler 101 guide.
Do you know that the best dermal fillers are undetectable?
As we age, we lose the structural support upon which our faces are built. This creates shadows and concavities where we once had smooth convexities. The science of ageing tells us that the mid face (cheek) ages first and part of its ageing involves the sinking and shrinking of fat pads. This causes the characteristic heaviness in the nasolabial and jowl areas. By understanding the science of ageing, we can understand that replacing what age has taken away, will help restore our look rather than reinvent it. Of course, we can also use dermal fillers to enhance and reshape but again, even in this context the best results are subtle and should always aim to achieve harmony.
Introduction to Hyaluronic Acid Dermal Fillers:
Hyaluronic acid (HA) dermal fillers are made of a hyaluronic acid gel. They includes premium branded products such as Juvederm, Restylane, Belotero, Teoxane, Vivacy. Each of these contain: hyaluronic acid (more information below),lidocaine anaesthetic and stabilising molecules such as BDDE (1,4- Butanediol Diglycidyl Ether).
By now you will have read your guide to the ageing process and you will understand that we age through all the layers of the face. We use dermal fillers to slow down the visible signs of ageing in the fat and bony layers of the face. Ageing in these layers can cause significant visual changes on the surface of the skin including flattening of the apples of the cheeks resulting in a more tired under eye appearance, hollowing of temples resulting in a lower brow position and a down turned corner of the mouth and thinning of the lips due to loss of bony support.
When should I consider dermal filler? Is it useful in prevention?
It is better not to wait for ageing to progress too far before considering subtle volume replacement. with dermal filler. If ageing is significant, we will need a great deal more product which in turn increases the cost and associated down-time. A good rule of thumb is 1ml for every decade such that if you attend for your first dermal filler appointment at age 50, you are likely to require up to 5ml of product to reverse the age related changes. Of course there are exceptions to this but it is a useful guide. If you are unsure whether you are a candidate for dermal fillers please discuss with your YUVÄ practitioner and we will guide you as to whether or not you should consider them as part of your routine.
Is filler treatment noticeable?
Yes and no! It is better not to wait for ageing to progress too far before considering subtle volume replacement. with dermal filler. If ageing is significant, we will need a great deal more product which in turn increases the cost and associated down-time. A good rule of thumb is 1ml for every decade such that if you attend for your first dermal filler appointment at age 50, you are likely to require up to 5ml of product to reverse the age related changes. Of course there are exceptions to this but it is a useful guide. If you are unsure whether you are a candidate for dermal fillers please discuss with your YUVÄ doctor and we will guide you as to whether or not you should consider them as part of your routine.
How often should I have dermal filler treatment?
We don't advocate a specific timeline to repeat treatment but we do advocate that clients budget 1-3 syringes of dermal filler every 18-24 months as maintenance. Ageing continues despite treatment and for this reason we believe that our clients should be assessed for their need for structural support every 18-24 months rather than simply repeating the same treatments time and time again which surely leads to over-treatment in some areas and under- treatment in others. Keep in mind too that you can of course have treatment once and never have it again.
Can I have a skin booster or wrinkle relaxers instead of dermal filler?
Unfortunately, these treatments are not interchangeable. Take a look back at the guide to ageing and you will see that skin boosters and skin care products help to reverse and slow ageing in the skin. Wrinkle relaxers help to work on the muscle layer and dermal fillers work on the visible signs of ageing in the deeper layers (bone/fat). These deeper layers, though not directly visible, are reflected on the surface of our skin by way of concavities in some areas and heaviness in other areas this in turn changes how light reflects and can make us look tired, sad, angry or just not quite like ourselves.
When will I see results?
Results are visible immediately but there will be swelling. Final results are usually seen within 3 weeks of treatment.
Is there any downtime?
Yes. You can be bruised and swollen post treatment. Bruising can be covered with make-up after the first 24 hours. Depending on the extent of swelling you can feel lumps/bumps in the initial weeks post treatment and you may also notice asymmetries caused due to swelling. These will resolve given time. These things are all a normal part of the healing process and will vary between patients. Some people tend to bruise or swell even after the most minor injury while others do not.
What does the treatment involve?
Step 1: All dermal filler clients are requested not wear any make-up to the clinic if possible. Why no Make-Up? Of course we can remove the make up in clinic but this risks micro-tears on the skin which can increase the risk of infection. Bugs love HA filler because it is made of a long sugar molecule so keeping the treatment area very clean is vital. Please also remember that you cannot apply make up for a minimum of 24 hours post treatment and when you do apply makeup it’s very important you that use freshly washed brushes.
Step 2: Application of topical local anaesthetic cream. Either LMX (Lidocaine) or BLT (Benzocaine Tetracaine, lidocaine). On occasion we can use injected local anaesthetic (lidocaine + adrenaline) if patients are particularly sensitive.
Step 3: Injection of the selected dermal filler using needles, cannula or a combination of both.
Does the procedure hurt?
Every patient has a different perception of pain but all of the products used at ORA contain Lidocaine (a local anaesthetic) which helps reduce discomfort. Lip fillers are the most uncomfortable of the filler treatments because of the delicate nature of the lips however we use a strong numbing cream before treatment (either LMX or BLT) and can also provide a dental injection to fully anaesthetise the area if you wish. There is a small additional fee for this. For female patients it is good to remember that the perception of pain/discomfort can be heightened during your menstrual period.
Who is not suitable for HA Filler treatment?
- Pregnant
- Breast Feeding
- Have had dental treatment in the 2 weeks leading up to your appointment
- Wearing braces (‘train-tracks’)
- If you have coughs/colds or any illness including flu or sore throat at the time of appointment or in the 10 days leading up to your appointment
- History of allergy to local anaesthetic or hyaluronic acid
- Multiple allergies
- History of permanent fillers
- Suppressed immune system due to disease
- Suppressed immune system due to medications (EG: Autoimmune medications/medications for pre & post-transplant patients/ some cancer medications)
- Diabetes
- Roaccutane (Must have completed course at least 6 months before having filler)
- Blood Thinners
- Infection including acne at the site of injection
- Presence of cold sores anywhere on the face
What about coldsores?
And the biggest question of all: Will I look dramatically different?
Absolutely not! Our only goal is to help you look and feel like yourself. It can be daunting when we recommend multiple syringes but keep in mind that we are a natural-results driven clinic. We will only ever recommend what we believe you require and when our clients invest we want them to see.