Dermal Fillers For Lips and Face

The infamous and undesirable frown lines are an everyday complaint at our clinics.
Botox effectively treats such lines, thereby relaxing the muscles responsible for these ‘dynamic’ lines. However, ‘static’ frown creases, which are visible at rest, respond well to combination treatment with dermal fillers.

Treatment of frown lines using dermal fillers is not an easy procedure because it needs to be performed by experienced and skilled practitioners.
Dermal fillers can successfully treat frown lines in addition to Botox.

These frown lines were previously treated by botox to relax the muscles. Further treated successfully by dermal filler injections.

One of the early signs of ageing occurs in the under-eye area, giving the impression of tiredness & fatigue.
The puffiness can be hereditary or a result of an unhealthy lifestyle. However, tear trough fillers work very well for the under-eye areas. MORE DETAIL

The nose is one of the most prominent features of the face. It plays a significant role in defining overall facial appearance.

A non-surgical nose job using dermal fillers is ideal for those who wish for an improvement without surgery.

Using very fine needles, we inject face fillers under the nose skin. Only experienced hands can safely perform such a procedure.

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The ‘triangle of beauty’ of our face ideally comprises well-defined cheekbones, a fine jawline and a nicely pointed chin.

Dermal fillers enhance cheeks, chin, and jawline and help restore balance and proportion. Moreover, dermal fillers in these areas last more than a year, sometimes up to two years. MORE DETAIL

The ‘nasolabial folds’ are deep lines that form at the bottom of the nose and move to the mouth’s corners.

Our board-certified dermatologist, plastic surgeon and cosmetic doctors are vigilant of facial proportions and balance.

They use the ‘Liquid Facelift’ method, which uses dermal fillers to provide volume and lift the skin.

The Smoker’s lines are the vertical lines that appear around the mouth. Women can find it frustrating when their lipstick bleeds into these lines, thus, blurring any lip definition.

However, soft Juvederm fillers can reduce the appearance of these lines. Botox may be advisable to relax some of the lip muscles.

Dermal fillers are can either reduce the vertical lines or injected into the vermilion border to define lips.

Also, resurfacing treatments such as peels and lasers help to smoothen the lines.

‘Marionette lines’ are skin creases that appear near the mouth and reach out towards the jaw.
Face fillers can significantly lift the ‘downturned’ corners of the mouth. Botox and dermal fillers combination is also advised if the underlying muscle activity is strong.

The lips lose volume from the age of 18 onwards. The use of lip balms, chapsticks and other similar products temporarily hydrate the lip surface.

To achieve fuller lips for a long-lasting period, hyaluronic fillers may be the solution.

Therefore, lip fillers result in plumper, soft, naturally hydrated lips for a long period of time. MORE DETAIL

The most popular fillers in the UK are Hyaluronic Acid (HA). They vary in concentration of hyaluronic acid differs in various dermal fillers. This affects the duration.

Radiesse®, a longer acting filler, is also popular for particular concerns and gives great structural support. Furthermore, they help to stimulate fibroblasts which in turn help to synthesise new collagen.

The society of plastic surgeons recommend dermal fillers for improving facial features standalone or as part of a facial plastic surgery procedure.

In most cases face fillers cause mild swelling afterwards which is hardly noticable. With lip fillers the swelling maybe more significant for upto two to three days.

Certain medications and supplements thin the blood making bruising more likely. When possible, stop taking aspirin, vitamin E, St John’s wort, gingkgo, evening primrose oil, garlic, feverfew and ginseng 2 weeks before treatment. Moreover, is best to avoid alcohol and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication, such as ibuprofen and diclofenac, 2 days before.

Arnica tablets or gel may be used 2 days prior to treatment and continued afterwards for 2-3 days.

Cold compression just after the procedure will reduce swelling and constrict blood vessels, reducing any further bruising.

Warm compression for a couple of days after if bruising develops. This helps speed up the healing process.

Pineapple and papaya both contain bromelain which helps to break down proteins releasing trapped blood from the tissues. Topical and dietary vitamin C will also aid the healing process as it helps to build collagen around vessels.

Camouflage make-up may be worn, although it is best to avoid application on the day of treatment if possible. Take advice on makeup from our therapists.

The vast majority of dermal filler treatments have no complications. Initial swelling, redness and tenderness usually settles within a couple of days. If bruising does occur it can take up to 14 days to heal so procedures should be planned well in advance of important events.

Any asymmetry that may occur can usually be managed by correction with additional face filler. Bumps or lumpiness can be improved with massage during and after the treatment. If they persist, HA fillers may be broken down using the enzyme hyaluronidase.

Below is a list of rare but more serious complications:

Tissue Necrosis: Injected face fillers can obstruct skin blood supply. Understanding facial blood supply and avoiding major vessels is pertinent to avoid this complication. Our practitioners are not only trained by train practitioners globally in handling this complication.

Granulomas: These are nodules that may appear months or years after a treatment. This is more common with permanent dermal fillers. They can be treated with corticosteroid injections or excision.

Infection: As the skin is breached, there is a small possibility of infection. To reduce this risk, your practitioner ensures the area is adequately cleaned.

Scarring: Although rare, it is possible for a scar to form if there has been any infection of if an individual has a history of hypertrophic or keloidal scarring. This information will be gathered whilst taking a medical history.

Dermal filler treatments are tolerated very well with mild discomfort. The fillers usually contain an anaesthetic which helps to minimise pain and a topical cream anaesthetic can also be applied if required. As the procedure uses different injection techniques and generally takes slightly longer than a botox treatment it may seem more uncomfortable.

Hyaluronic acid fillers normally come in 0.5 and 1ml syringes. The volume used will be decided on the area to be treated and the best possible filler for that indication.

Radiesse® or Calcium Hydroxylapatite is available in 0.3, 0.8 and 1.5ml and would be used for a semi-permanent result lasting long term. The volume required is decided after your facial assessment.

After the procedure the practitioner will massage the area to smooth any obvious lumps. At home a firm massage with the tips of fingers will spread a palpable lump. If it persists the practitioner can correct dissolving using a product known as hyalase.

Although rare, it is possible to be allergic to filler material. This may be a mild allergy which could result in prolonged swelling or a severe hypersensitivity with swelling, redness, bumpiness and a rash. Treatment for these rare reactions usually requires antihistamines and steroids.

If the area is aggressively massaged after treatment, the product can move. Therefore it is best for individuals not to touch the area after treatment unless they feel any lumps; firm pressure is recommended.

It is very rare to be able to ‘see’ the filler. Face fillers are colourless gels. They are not visible when injected correctly. If a filler is injected superficially, the product may be seen as a bluish discolouration of the skin. This improves with massaging and rarely is dissolving the product required.

Once the swelling subsides, the filler takes 2-3 weeks to settle and feel more like the surrounding skin/lips.

Usually people ‘look better’ without obvious changes in their appearance. Experienced practitioners will only replace volume that has been lost over the years obtaining natural results.

Prior to dermal filler injections a numbing cream is applied to the area. They also contain a local anaesthetic to decrease discomfort.

Usually, this is fine. The Dermal Fillers practitioner will want to know when the treatment was carried out.