Dermal Fillers: (Brand names include Restylane®, Hydrafill®, Hylaform®, Juvederm®, Radiesse™, Zyderm®, Zyplast®, Puragen®, Sculptra®, Bio-Alcamid®, Silskin®).

All of the above are trade names for dermal fillers. They are injected into the skin with the intention of plumping out fine lines or adding definition and volume to the lips.

What does the procedure involve?

Every time we laugh, smile or frown we crease our skin. After a time wrinkles or lines appear where the skin creases. In addition the skins elasticity reduces and some of its collagen and fat reserves diminish making the skin sag and become wrinkly. Fillers are injected into the areas where these lines and wrinkles have appeared plumping them out making them smoother and softer. Alternatively, fillers can be used to plump out thin lips.

Dermal fillers are administrated using a very fine needle, in some cases a local anaesthetic cream will be applied to the area first. When you go to see the doctor or person administrating the injection they should examine your face first to identify the main areas which need the work. Depending on the amount and thickness of the filler being injected and the size of the needle you may experience a small degree of pain in the form of stinging and burning.

Fillers can be made from a variety of substances. Collagen fillers are natural and can be made from human tissue, bovine or porcine. Other fillers are synthetic and are derived from hyaluronic ac a substance which occurs naturally in skin and cartilage.

In some instances a fat transplant (lipotransfer) can be used as a filler. In this instance, fat is taken from one part of the body such as the bottom, hips, inner thighs or abdomen, it is cleaned and filtered, and then injected into the area where it is needed.

Some fillers are classed as permanent and can last several years. These fillers can include liquid silicone and a variety of hybrid fillers.

What are the benefits and what are the risks?

Benefits

The main benefits of dermal fillers is that it is quick to administrate and patients can go about their daily activities straight away, there is only a small amount of pain and results are more or less instant. Wrinkles and lines will appear smoother and softer and if administrated into the lips they will appear plumper.

Risks

Temporary fillers are generally considered to be safe as they are made from natural substances which do not generally cause reactions and they do biodegrade and disperse through the body over time. Some people may experience a low grade allergy which will cause some redness and swelling, though this affects only a small proportion of people and the effects of the reaction should go down after a couple of weeks. In some rare instances lumps may occur but these can be treated with another injection or will break down over time. Permanent fillers are deemed to be more risky as these contain artificial chemicals and are more likely to cause an allergic reaction. Long-term effects may occur with permanent fillers if the filler is rejected by the body. If the filler moves to another area and causes lumping for instance it may need to be cut out.

As a result of the possible risks that may occur with fillers it is important to seek a professional and well experienced administrator. You should check that the filler being used has passed EU regulatory criteria and it may also be advisable to check that the filler has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration as they have stricter guidelines and criteria than Europe.

Is it the right procedure for me?

Dermal fillers are a good option for those people who want to eradicate the lines and wrinkles which have appeared on their face but do not want to undergo full surgery. They are also used by people who want fuller lips. The effects of temporary dermal fillers are not permanent because the substance biodegrades slowly over time, lasting between 6 and 12 months. As a result people who have temporary filler injections have to undergo regular treatments. The length of time it lasts depends on the filler used, the amount used and the individual person and how their body reacts to it. It is also worth noting that the results of a permanent filler cannot last forever as the skin will still age over time around the area that was originally treated.

How long does the procedure take?

The treatment is very quick and only takes between 30 minutes and an hour to administrate depending on the amount of work being done so it really can be a lunchtime fix-me-up and there is no need to take time off work.

What happens after the treatment?

Treatment is quick and no medical aftercare is required. As such you can go about your usual activities straightaway. Some people experience slight swelling and bruising at the site of the injection. You will however be advised to keep out of the sun for 24 hours and to avoid caffeine, alcohol and hot drinks for this time.

How much is it likely to cost?

Prices may vary between £150 and £750 depending on the type of filler used and the amount of work being carried out.