Fillers

FAQs about Fillers

• What is dermal filler?

  Fillers are injections of gel (most commonly hyaluronic acid) in different parts of your face: cheeks, under your eyes, around your mouth and jawline and in your lips. It can be used in an artistic way to approach signs of ageing three-dimensionally, with the aim of achieving a softer, smoother face, without looking overdone.

• What does dermal filler do?

  Injectable fillers fill wrinkles, restore lost volume, add lift and improve contouring. In general, different types of filler can be used in different areas of the face to achieve different things.

  Around the eyes and in the tear trough
  Hollowing under the eyes (tear troughs) are caused by anatomical changes that cause loss of support structure (loss of the bony rim of the eye, laxity of ligaments and dropping down of soft tissue). This hollowing can cause shadows to be cast which can contribute to the appearance of darkening under the eyes. Filler is used to add volume and smoothen the contour.

  The deep lines around the mouth
  The folds around the mouth (known as the nasiolabial folds) don’t actually deepen as you age. They are in fact the result of the descent of fat and collagen from the upper part of the face. When a thick dermal filler is injected into the cheek, it fills the “hollow” and pulls the cheek up. A thinner filler can also be injected into and under the nasolabial fold to flatten it further

  Lips
  Lip fillers aren’t for everyone and the “duck lip” result has certainly put many people off. For the right candidates, and when done well, it draws a subtle interest and adds a youthful, appealing appearance.

• What can’t dermal filler do?

  It’s important to remember that dermal fillers are temporary solutions for facial ageing and that repeat treatments are needed for long-term results. For some people, it will not be possible to achieve their goals with this procedure alone, and surgery may be recommended.

• What are the side effects of dermal filler?

  There will be temporary side effects which should be seen as normal and include things like swelling, redness, sensitivity and some bruising. These side effects are usually mild to moderate, improve shortly after injection and are resolved after a few days.

  There are rare complications which can occur and relate to infection and blocked blood vessels which can cause tissue loss or even blindness. The face has critical structures like nerves and vessels. If you choose to have dermal filler, you should minimize the risk by choosing a doctor with a solid understanding of facial anatomy.

• Is it painful to have dermal filler?

  There is slight pain when having filler injected and some areas of the face are more sensitive than others. To help reduce this discomfort, we use a topical anaesthetic and ice the area. Dermal fillers also have local anaesthetic in them, which start becoming effective after the first injection.

• Is there a difference between filler and anti-wrinkle injections?

  Yes there is a BIG difference between filler and anti-wrinkle injections. Like anti-wrinkle injections, filler is used to prevent or eliminate signs of ageing in the face and this is why the two often get confused. The primary difference between the two is that anti-wrinkle injections reduces the activity of muscles in the face that cause wrinkles. Facial fillers, however, “treat” by plumping up skin below the wrinkle.

• How long does dermal filler last?

  Depending on the type of filler used anything from one to two years.

• How much does dermal filler cost?

  It depends on how much you have done – starting price is from R5000.