Dermal fillers are suitable for most people, but it’s important to discuss your medical history during your initial consultation. We advise postponing treatment if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, as dermal fillers are not recommended during this time. Treatment may also not be suitable if you’re undergoing immune therapy or cancer treatments.
There are two main types of dermal filler, made from hyaluronic acid or a collagen stimulator.
- Hyaluronic acid fillers are a versatile treatment that smooths fine lines and wrinkles, restoring volume and contours to the face. Hyaluronic acid lives in all living organisms and also encourages collagen and elastin stimulation. Treatment results are seen immediately after injection and last until your body breaks down the hyaluronic acid product.
- Collagen stimulators are not made from hyaluronic acid, but products that stimulate in a different way. Collagen is a naturally occurring protein found in your skin and body where it plays a key role, providing support and structure. As we age, we produce less collagen, leading to visible signs of ageing. Ellansé is a collagen stimulating filler that provides immediate volumisation followed by long-term collagen stimulation. The volumisation and correction of wrinkles is seen immediately after treatment, following which gradual stimulation of your own collagen production gives natural-looking and long-lasting result.
Are Dermal Fillers Suitable for Me?
How Safe are Dermal Fillers?
Dermal fillers are considered a safe treatment when carried out by a qualified professional. All dermal filler treatments at Thames Skin Clinic are performed by Dr Anna Hemming, who is a highly experienced practitioner in aesthetic injectable techniques. Dr Hemming ensures that each treatment is performed safely, with the focus on delivering the best results for your individual needs.
Will I Feel Any Pain or Discomfort During My Dermal Filler Treatment?
You may experience some minor discomfort or tenderness initially, but this will settle quickly. We use local anaesthetic to numb the treatment areas, making the process as comfortable as possible. Most of our patients report only mild sensations during the treatment.
Are There Any Risks Associated with Dermal Fillers?
While the risks associated with dermal filler treatments are typically minimal, we make sure to inform all patients about the potential side effects. These may include:
- Injection site tenderness
- Mild bruising and redness
- Dry skin or itching, particularly around the lips
Swelling can occur, but it usually subsides within 7 to 14 days as your body adjusts to the filler.
Dermal fillers should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding due to a lack of research on their safety for your baby. Additionally, if you are dealing with a skin infection, allergy or taking certain medications, dermal fillers may not be suitable. Please let the doctor know if you suffer from cold sores as treatment can sometimes trigger the virus.
It’s important to inform Dr Hemming about any conditions or concerns prior to your treatment.
How Much Downtime is Needed After Dermal Fillers?
After your dermal filler treatment at Thames Skin Clinic, you may experience some redness, swelling or bruising around the treatment area. This is common and should last between a few days to two weeks, depending on the area treated. Most patients resume normal activities quickly, with minimal downtime.
Procedure
Fillers are made from a clear non animal based hyaluronic acid gel injected under the skin to bind water and encourage collaged regrowth. These have low allergy rates and means your treatment can go ahead without a patch test on your first visit.
The filler is injected through a fine sterile needle or cannula into the area where volume loss has occurred.
Treatment can cause mild discomfort over a few seconds. I prefer fillers to contain a local anaesthetic as it ensures a more comfortable procedure.
Effects can be seen immediately and the complete effect in 2 weeks.
Treatment lasts for 6-18 months.
Your comfort levels and expectations are important factors which are considered in your consultation.
Treatment areas
Treatment is a safe and effective way of replacing lost volume, lifting and hydrating tired lined skin. Treatments enhance, define, lift and recontour areas where bone and fat changes have altered the facial structure. A combination approach gives the best natural results.
Suitable treatment areas:
- Deep cheek enhancement to lift nose to mouth lines, jowls and hollows in the cheeks
- Jaw definition, enhancement, strengthening
- Chin definition
- Temple hollows
- Nose to mouth lines (nasolabial) to smooth out deeper folds
- Down turn mouth (marionette) supports the corners of the mouth and smooths the ventriloquist line
- Vertical lip lines or bar code lines, especially prominent in smokers
- Lip enhancement to improve shape and definition
- Tear trough enhancement works well with cheek enhancement
- Deep frown lines (glabella lines) following anti wrinkle treatment or if muscle injections are not suitable
- Combination treatments
Side effects
Side effects are minimal if any. Injection site tenderness and mild bruising as well as redness, dry skin and itching to the treatment area may occur.
Dermal fillers should not be used if pregnant or breast feeding as we have no research to prove it is safe for your foetus or child.
Care must be taken if you are currently suffering with a skin infection or allergy or taking particular medication. Your specialist will be able to advise you further if you have recently had a skin peel or resurfacing procedure.
More serious complications can occur which is why all of our dermal filler treatments are performed by a medically qualified practitioner who is trained in complication management.
Aftercare
Do not touch, rub or massage the area or apply makeup for at least 6 hours.
Immediately you may have redness, swelling, bruising, discomfort or itching these should settle over 7-14 days.
Ask your doctor to advise a pre and post skin care regime to rejuvenate the skin and maintain maximum effects.
If you suffer from cold sores these may be activated by treatment and your doctor may prescribe you some antiviral cream or tablets.
AVOID skin peels, sunbeds and laser treatments for up to 2 weeks.
Dermal filler treatments vary by both volume and type of filler used to give the best results. We often get asked about the cost of treatment. At Thames Skin Clinic we pride ourselves on results rather than focus on the price of a treatment, it is more important that we get the correct quality of product rather than offer cut price treatments, products and services (especially when it comes to medical treatments). You will never see Thames Skin Clinic advertising services on social coupon sites such as Groupon as we believe they have a negative impact on our customer safety, results and satisfaction. We also wish to abide by the advertising regulator and work in a safe ethical manor.
Our prices reflect the skill, training and premier product choices we have made as well as the true reflection of the beautiful bespoke clinic surroundings.
To discuss dermal filler treatment and for a detailed consultation regarding the best options for your treatment please call us today and book an initial consultation with our specialist practitioners. There is a charge for appointments with Dr Hemming.
Dermal filler prices start from £495
