Dermal Filler

How it works

The gel is placed with a fine needle or a blunt-tipped cannula at a depth chosen for the area. Firmer gels may be used for structure, such as the chin or jaw, and softer ones for finer areas. The gel adds volume and holds water. It is slowly broken down by the body over many months, and the length of effect varies by product, area and person. Hyaluronic acid filler can be dissolved with an enzyme called hyaluronidase if there is a problem or you are unhappy with the result.

Who it may suit

• Loss of volume in the cheeks or mid-face
• Deep lines such as smile lines
• Softening or adding definition to the chin or jawline
• People who want adjustable results that are not surgical

The treatment day

1. Consultation and photos. The doctor assesses your face from several angles and discusses what you want to change.
2. Planning the product and amount. The product, the areas and the amount are explained before any injection.
3. Injection. After numbing, the filler is placed gradually, with checks as the shape develops.
4. Review and aftercare. The doctor checks symmetry, and you receive written aftercare and the product details.

Aftercare

• Leave the treated spot alone, with no pressing or massage, unless the doctor advises it.
• Give hard exercise, saunas and hot environments a rest for a day or two.
• Use cold compresses gently if advised, and sleep on your back with your head slightly raised.
• Avoid dental work and facial treatments for the period the doctor suggests.
• Contact the clinic urgently if you see severe pain, blanching, a mottled color or vision changes.

Things to know first

• Swelling, bruising, lumps and tenderness are common and usually settle over days to weeks.
• Serious but rare risks include vascular occlusion, where filler blocks a blood vessel, which can lead to skin damage or, near the eye, vision loss.
• Infection, allergic reaction and lumps that need dissolving are possible.
• Not usually recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or with active infection or skin disease at the site.
• Results are temporary and vary by person, and overfilling can look unnatural.

Talking through dermal filler in English

Ask five plain questions and note the answers. What is the product name? How much will you use, in milliliters or syringes? How deep will it go? Who will inject? What do you do if there is a problem? Ask to see the packaging, and for the product name and lot number in writing. This record helps any future doctor.

Tell the doctor about past fillers, where, what product and when, as mixing different gels in one area is not always wise. Mention blood thinners, aspirin, fish oil and cold sores, and any allergies, especially to lidocaine. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, say so.

Terms you may hear: HA (hyaluronic acid), cannula, volumizing, bolus, hyaluronidase and vascular occlusion. Ask which warning signs to watch for and how to reach the clinic in an emergency. If you will fly soon, ask whether swelling could be an issue.