Dermal FillersDermal fillers are gels that are injected into the skin to add volume to the soft tissues. Fillers can be used to emphasise contours and improve facial structure. With age, we can be often left looking tired, sad and saggy. Fillers help to restore what nature has taken away by adding lost volume and improving the appearance of lines and wrinkles resulting in a fresh, rested and happy appearance. Dermal fillers are usually used to treat the following areas:

  • To correct or enhance facial contours, cheeks, temples, jawline, nose, 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 improve the tone, texture, and hydration of the skin.

 

What is Hyaluronic Acid?

Hyaluronic AcidHyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring sugar chain molecule found in all skin and soft tissues throughout the body, identical across species. 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, each brand has a range of ‘tissue tailored’ products designed for specific results. One size does not fit all. At this clinic we use only tried and tested brands. If you have a particular brand you prefer, please let us know.

Leading and well-established brands include Restylane.

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Preparing for your Treatment

Please fully read the information below and let us know if you have any questions.

Make-up

  • Make up will need to be removed prior to treatment, so please come ‘fresh faced’ if possible.

Check medicines and supplements

  • Aspirin, Ibuprofen, and a range of dietary supplements including St. John’s Wort, fish oils, Gingko Biloba, Vitamins C and E may all contribute to bruising and are best avoided 24 hours before treatment.

Alcohol

  • Don’t drink alcohol the night before, it will increase your risk of bruising.

Healthy skin and feeling well? – Check with the clinic before attending if any of the following apply:

  • Cold sore brewing, active or recent and not quite healed.
  • Acne break-out
  • Feeling unwell- including colds, coughs, sore throats etc.
  • New diagnosis or medicines
  • New injury for which you are taking pain medicines
  • Appointments with the dentist; recent, or planned within 10 days of the treatment
  • Travel plans within 10 days of the treatment.

Bring your reading glasses with you

Jewellery

  • Leave jewellery at home, especially large earrings, or facial piercings. If you take them off in practice, please bring a purse to safely keep them.

 

Aftercare Advice

Most people can continue with normal activities with immediate improvement in their appearance. Some will have some redness, pin prick marks, possibly swelling- particularly in the lips. Possibly bruising. Any swelling and bruising may be more apparent the next day.

For one hour *following lip treatment

  • Avoid burning your lips – Do not have very hot drinks until the anaesthetic has worn-off

For six hours *following lip treatment – To avoid infection

  • Do not reapply make-up
  • Keep your hands clean and avoid touching your face
  • Avoid using your mobile phone against the treated area
  • Don’t let pets lick your face

Until any redness, swelling or bruising has settled

  • Avoid extremes of heat or cold or vigorous exercise, until any swelling, bruising or tenderness has settled.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any concerns. Some complications can be delayed and symptoms can present weeks or months later. If you develop symptoms you think may be related to the treatment, please do contact the clinic for a review.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hyaluronic Acid dermal fillers are a clear sterile gel in a syringe for injection into the skin providing instant correction. Hyaluronic acid attracts and binds water in the skin, providing volume and hydration, but also ‘cushioning’ and supporting collagen and elastin fibers and providing a medium, or carrier, for chemical messages between the cells.
This treatment is a medical procedure and though considered safe in safe hands, is not without risk. Your clinician will discuss all the risks and benefits with you at consultation and again prior to treatment. The majority of (rare) complications diagnosed and managed appropriately can be resolved without any permanent consequences. Hyaluronic acid dermal fillers are reversible should complications arise which lends an additional safety net.
The clinician will take a detailed medical history to ensure you have no conditions that might increase the risk of unwanted side effects, consultation and assessment is also important to discuss your expectations and whether this treatment is able to meet them.
Treatment need not be painful. Most leading brands also contain a local anaesthetic, and we can/will apply topical anaesthetic cream, or ice, prior to treatment to numb the skin.
HA dermal fillers slowly dissolve over time and are not permanent. Longevity does vary between products, and between individuals, but most will last, on average, between 6 months and sometimes even longer. Life-style factors can effect longevity. If you choose not to maintain the results with further treatment, your skin will return to its pre-treatment state over
Swelling may worsen in the first 24 hours, and then should settle within the first few days. Cold packs can be helpful in reducing swelling. Be sure not to apply ice directly to the skin or for too long. This can cause a ‘freeze burn’. Because of swelling, the product may feel harder or lumpy and you may notice some asymmetry. The final result may be judged at 2 weeks.

Bruising may take a few days to appear, bromelain or arnica can be helpful in clearing bruising. It is advisable to avoid aspirin and alcohol for 12-48 hours after treatment. Tenderness should settle as swelling goes down. If you have bruising which concerns you, do contact the clinic for further advice.

Please contact your clinician urgently if the skin appears pale, dusky, or mottled, these are symptoms which may indicate the filler is obstructing a blood vessel. These symptoms occur within hours rather than days.

Contact the clinic without delay if redness, tenderness, itching or swelling worsens after 3 days, rather than settling.
Yes, we do! At Barnet Smiles, we provide a range of dermal filler treatments to help enhance your facial features and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Our experienced team of professionals is dedicated to delivering safe and effective results.