Dermal Fillers

The key to the majority of dermal fillers is their use of hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring sugar chain molecule found in all skin and soft tissues throughout the body, and is identical across all species. It attracts and binds water in the skin, providing volume and hydration, but also ‘cushioning’ and supporting collagen and elastin fibres, and providing a medium (or carrier) for chemical messages between the cells.

Hyaluronic acid dermal fillers are a clear sterile gel in a syringe for injection into the skin, providing instant correction by filling areas affected by wrinkles and sagging.

Dermal fillers are manufactured, usually through fermentation and cross linking with proteins, to produce a clear, sterile gel for injection into the skin. In the UK, there are over 160 brands on the market, due in some part to weak regulation.

Not all hyaluronic acids are the same. Legitimate brands are NOT available for general sale on the internet, and should only be administered by trained clinicians. Each brand has a range of ‘tissue tailored’ products designed for specific results: one size does not fit all.

Leading and well-established brands include, but are not limited to:

• Juvederm™ (FDA 2006)
• Restylane™ (FDA 2003)
• Belotero™ (FDA 2011)
• Teosyal™
• Emervel™

You can ensure you’re receiving your dermal filler treatment from a legitimate source by connecting with a practitioner through our search function at Save Face

There are several different popular target areas, typically around the face and hands, for dermal filler treatment. Some of the most common uses for this style of treatment are:

• To correct or enhance facial contours, such as cheeks dermal fillers, temple dermal fillers, jawline and jowls dermal fillers, nose dermal fillers, or dermal fillers in the chin.
• To define, correct or enhance lips.
• To soften and correct facial wrinkles or folds.
• To restore lost volume in hands to reduce the appearance of veins and tendons.
• To correct hollows under the eyes (tear troughs).
• To improve the tone, texture and hydration of the skin.

It’s important to consult with a trusted practitioner before receiving dermal fillers. They will discuss your desired outcomes with you, and help you decide which type of dermal filler is best suited to your ideal result, or whether a different treatment might be better suited to you.

Most people are able to continue with normal activities with immediate improvement in their appearance. Some will experience some redness, pin prick marks, and possibly swelling – particularly if your treatment area is the lips.

Your practitioner will provide thorough aftercare advice designed to minimise risk and promote speedy recovery from any expected side effects.

• You may also experience some bruising. Any swelling and bruising may be more apparent the day following your dermal filler treatment.
• Make-up should not be worn for 12 hours after treatment.
•  You will be advised to avoid alcohol, vigorous exercise, sunbathing, and extremes of heat or cold for 14 days post treatment.

There are a number of medical conditions and or medicines that may affect the decision to treat with dermal fillers, or affect the treatment plan. A full medical history by your practitioner and an assessment of your expectations is necessary in advance of any decision to treat.

With any injectable treatment, treatment is not recommended if:

• You are suffering from any skin infection in or near the treatment area or are unwell in any way (even a cold).
• You have previously experienced allergic reactions to any dermal filler or local anaesthetic.
• You are taking any medicines which affect bleeding, such as aspirin or warfarin.
• You are taking steroids or have autoimmune disease.
• You have any bleeding disorders.
• You suffer from a poorly controlled medical condition.
• You are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• You are currently on or have recently completed a course of Roacutane (Isotretinoin acne treatment) in the last 18 months.
• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Take Caution:

• Injections on the face can trigger the cold sore virus. If you are a sufferer, you must advise your clinician in advance of treatment.
• If you have recently had treatment with any other dermal filler.
• If you are planning to attend a special event when a bruise, should it occur, would be unacceptable to you.
• Some over the counter medicines and supplements can also affect bleeding (make you more prone to bruising), as can alcohol, which should be avoided the day before and after treatment.
• Vigorous exercise, sun exposure, sun beds, and saunas should be avoided for 48 hours, or as advised by your clinician, after treatment. Safety has not been established for those skins susceptible to keloid scarring.

If, having had a dermal filler treatment, you are at all concerned about symptoms you were not expecting or are not happy with, please contact the practitioner for advice. If necessary, an appointment will be made for you to be seen. 

All treatments carry a degree of risk, and therefore all risks and complications will be discussed with you at consultation and prior to any treatment being agreed. Dermal fillers should be administered by a healthcare professional with specialist training: you can find one by searching through Save Face. Side effects include, but are not limited to:

• Redness
• Swelling
• Bruising
• Itching
• Tenderness

The above are temporary and usually resolve within the first few days. Swelling is often noticed the next morning, but settles within hours. Bruising can take a week to 10 days to resolve, and can sometimes persist for longer.

Most leading brands of dermal filler contain a local anaesthetic, and most clinicians will apply topical anaesthetic cream, or ice, prior to treatment to numb the skin. Dermal filler injections are not an invasive procedure, and there is no reason for treatment to be painful.

Longevity of the effects does vary between products used, as well as between individuals receiving the treatment. However, most will find that the results of their dermal filler injections last between 6 months and 18 months.

At Save Face, we make finding a non-surgical cosmetic practitioner simple. It doesn’t need to be a daunting search. That’s why every practitioner you’ll find using the Save Face search engine has passed or rigorous 116-point assessment, proving that: 

• They are who they say they are.
• They are a registered nurse/midwife, doctor, dentist or prescribing pharmacist with specialist training and insurance in each treatment listed on their profile.
• They use licensed products sourced from reputable suppliers.
• They have all of the necessary paperwork in place to protect you from undue risk and harm.
• Their clinic is safe and hygienic.

Click here to find your nearest Save Face accredited dermal filler practitioner.