It’s unavoidable: we all age. No matter how well we look after ourselves, our bodies and our skin, eventually time will catch up with us.
Thankfully, we live in a miraculous age of science and technology. Both of which have provided us with some amazing solutions to keep us looking and feeling as good as can be for as long as possible.
Whether you’re looking to reduce the signs of aging or simply change up your look, dermal fillers are an inspired solution. Sagging cheeks? Dermal fillers can give you some lift. Thin lips? Fillers can plump them right up. In fact, dermal fillers can have uses you’d never have dreamed of, from shaping the jawline to straightening out your profile.
But with all cosmetic procedures come the horror stories of treatments gone wrong and dodgy practitioners. Though you might be desperate to try dermal fillers out for yourself, it’s possible you’ve been put off by the scare stories online and in the media.
As ever, we’re here to reassure you. At The Body Work Clinic, our professionals are highly trained and experienced, and they will talk you through every step of the treatment to ensure you’re as comfortable as can be. But if you want a little more information before your consultation, we can give you that too.
So, let’s start at the beginning.
1. What are dermal fillers?
Before we get into it, let’s begin with clearing one thing up: dermal fillers are not Botox. They will not “freeze” your face and leave you looking botched and unable to express emotion.
Quite the contrary. Dermal fillers are injectables, but most of the time they’re made up of natural chemicals that your body already produces.
According to the FDA, there are four types of filler. These are:
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is found in the skin and cartilage of your body (and you’ve probably already heard us rave about its many benefits). These kinds of fillers, such as Juvederm, usually last between 6 and 12 months.
Calcium Hydroxylapatite
Calcium hydroxylapatite is naturally found in our bones, and when used as a filler is a bit longer lasting than hyaluronic acid. On average, these kinds of fillers can last up to 18 months.
Poly-L-lactic Acid
Poly-L-lactic acid is a different kind of filler, as it’s made of a biodegradable synthetic material, and is also used to make such medical products as self-dissolving stitches. This kind of dermal filler lasts longer, too, usually up to 24 months.
Polymethylmethacrylate Beads
This is the only type of filler that has permanent results, as your body can’t absorb polymethylmethacrylate beads. This means that they’re not suitable for use in most places and are only used around the mouth area.
2. How do I choose the right dermal filler?
Knowing what you want and how you want to look is a good place to start, but during your consultation, your professional will talk you through the best products for your needs.
For the most natural-looking results, you’ll likely need more than one type of filler, and within each type there are further subtypes. Each subtype varies in concentration depending on its intended use, so the filler you’d use for your cheeks isn’t the same as the filler you’d use for your lips.
3. What are dermal fillers used for?
We commonly use dermal fillers for smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles, and adding volume to different areas of the face. They’re particularly popular because the effects are instant – you’ll see results before you even leave the clinic.
4. What should I know before I book in?
The first thing you should consider before booking your dermal fillers, is that it is a medical procedure, whether or not you consider it to be cosmetic. This should always be your top priority, and we think you should give serious thought to it before you go ahead.
Once you’ve apprised yourself of the facts, then you need to check that the clinic you’re visiting is suitably registered.
At The Body Work Clinic, our professionals are certified and trained to make sure you’re in the best hands possible for your treatment. We’re performed thousands of cosmetic procedures and pride ourselves on delivering high quality, natural-looking results.
5. What should I be asking at my consultation?
At your initial consultation, it helps to know exactly what you want before you arrive so we can talk to you about the best way to achieve your goals.
If you’ve done your research, you’ll probably come to the clinic with an idea of which fillers will work for you. However, our experts are well-versed not just in dermal fillers, but in a variety of other non-invasive cosmetic procedures. We might have alternative suggestions that give you room for thought.
No matter where you go for your fillers, it’s important to speak to your professional about their qualifications and certifications if you’re uncertain. Don’t be afraid to ask!
It also helps to go to your consultation with realistic expectations and make sure you talk through what you want with your professional as honestly as possible.
6. Are there any side effects?
Although dermal fillers are non-surgical, there are still some slight risks. Common side effects include redness and bruising around the treated area and occasional swelling. Any swelling should disappear on its own within two weeks of your treatment.
More rarely, some patients find raised bumps under the skin. If this occurs, you experience any other symptoms, or have any concerns at all, you should contact your professional for further advice.
7. Are dermal fillers suitable for me?
There are a couple of scenarios in which it might be best to avoid dermal fillers, but it’s likely they’re suitable, yes.
No studies have been done on fillers in breastfeeding or pregnant women, so it’s possible you should avoid getting fillers around this time. Similarly, since many dental procedures require stretching the face and the application of pressure, you might want to avoid having fillers around the time or any serious dental treatment to avoid the risk of your fillers being misplaced.
If you have any doubts, ask your professional during your consultation.
8. How permanent are dermal fillers?
As we mentioned earlier, there are some types of permanent dermal fillers. However, in most cases, they’re not permanent.
If you’re not happy with the way your fillers look, there’s no need to worry. More often than not, you can have your dermal fillers adjusted with extra filler for balance or using a product that dissolved the filler.
However, when done correctly, dermal fillers should look subtle and natural, and we’ll talk you through everything before, during and after to make sure you’re satisfied with the results.
9. How long will my fillers last?
If you’ve fallen in love with the results of dermal fillers, this is probably a big question!
Since most fillers are permanent, if you want to keep your results, you’ll have to return to the clinic. Hyaluronic acid dermal fillers break down naturally in the body after around six months, so you’ll need them touching up once or twice a year.
However, if you just wanted to try out fillers and you’re not interested in keeping up the look, then there’s no need to do anything else. The effects of the fillers will disappear with no side-effects or risks.