Dermal Fillers

So, you want a little refresh or maybe a little enhancement, but you don’t want to look different and you certainly don’t want to look ‘done’. I get it. Wrinkles and lines aren’t the only issue when we feel that we look tired or not as fresh as we used to.

Over time, our cheeks flatten, and the skin may begin to sag. This is often caused by a natural loss of volume in the cheek area and certain dermal fillers are designed to add volume beneath the skin’s surface to lift and contour, to get back the plumpness that was once there.

What can be achieved with facial dermal fillers?

As I mentioned, with we age, we loose volume and shape from the fat-pads in our face and dermal fillers can;

• Replace lost facial volume
• Lift and add volume to your cheeks
• Obtain facial symmetry
• Obtain a fresh hydrated look
• Plump thin lips and soften the surrounding lines (read more on the oral area here)
• Contour your chin and jaw line
• Smooth out lines and wrinkles
• Restore moisture content

What is a dermal filler?

Dermal fillers are a clear smooth gel based on hyaluronic acid (HA), they come in single use syringes and are injected into the skin to Lift, Smooth, and Plump areas which are in need of a little support.  HA is a naturally occurring substance that delivers nutrients to the skin, helping the skin to retain moisture and softness whilst adding volume.

I mostly use a well known brand called Juvederm.  Juvederm happens to be the worlds #1 dermal filler range.  HA is extremely well tolerated by our bodies because we have it in our joints already.  Juvederm Dermal fillers have been used by millions of people across the world and I get beautiful natural looking results with them.

Watch this funky short video from Juvederm:
https://youtu.be/5u-uQMJxP0c

The prospect of injecting a gel into your face might well fill you with dread, but allow me to reassure you that natural looking results are possible and the difference some small tweaks can make to the way you look can make a immense difference to the way you feel.

We’ve all the seen the celebrities ‘gone wrong’ and these stories and images really upset me because only the bad stuff gets shared.  This reminds me of all the slack our wonderful NHS gets – constant reminders of human errors and mistakes but rarely do we hear about the positive actions which are taken every second of every day across the country, I love our NHS and am very grateful that we have it.

My educated guess is that your biggest concern with having dermal filler injections is that you’ll end up looking weird, and this doesn’t surprise me at all, you may even have a image of Lesley Ash in your minds eye right now (people still bring up her awful experience in conversations with me, but that was over 16 years ago now – crazy eh?  She had an allergic reaction to a permanent lip filler).

Let me reassure you now, that I never have and never will inject anything that is permanent, why any professional would, is beyond me.  My motto has always been ‘if I wouldn’t inject it into my Mums face, I wouldn’t inject it into anyone else’s.

Don’t get me wrong, there are risks associated with facial fillers and I take every step to avoid these and I have many, many happy clients.  With my medical training and background I am well experienced and trained and know my stuff!  It has honestly taken me a very long time to become as confident in my techniques as I am today.

There have been literally millions of dermal fillers used with positive results.

You are under a lot of social pressure (I know, because I am too) and I hate that there is this ridiculous false perception of ageing put on us by the media and celebrities which has left us all feeling like we look old and inadequate, but the truth is, we’re all perfectly imperfect and we’ve got to own it!

We can’t stop the ageing process but we can embrace what we’ve got and who we are, to be the best versions of ourselves. I totally want to ban the term ‘anti-ageing’ because it holds so much unfair negativity, you can read more on THAT here.
You want healthy natural looking results from your procedure. We can all too easily spot those that have ‘over done it’, you know the celebs and people who have had too much ‘work done’.  You rarely notice the people who have maintained their looks subtlety and ‘enhanced’ rather than disfigured themselves.  That’s what I want for my clients.

I want people to notice you look well, without knowing why.

Dermal fillers can instantly add volume to create a fresh healthy appearance, you do not have to change the way you look and why would you want to..?

You can book your consultation here to find out if you are suitable for dermal filler injections and discuss what can be achieved to help you look and feel your gorgeous and confident best self.

 

Here are the most common FAQ’s I hear about dermal fillers:

 

You can book your consultation here to find out if you are suitable for a dermal filler procedure and discuss what can be achieved to help you look and feel your gorgeous and confident best self.

Why should you choose The Skin Nurse for dermal filler treatments?

You can read more about me on the about page, where you will see I am highly qualified and trained.  I am a very experienced and sympathetic practitioner who has delivered many dermal filler treatments with outstanding results. Please also have a look at my social media profiles where you can see some of the results I’ve created for my clients, and what they have to say about me.

Who can prescribe and administer dermal fillers?

Currently (and unfortunately) dermal fillers do not have to be prescribed but this is likely to change in the near future for health and safety reasons.  However, they should always be administered by a practitioner with appropriate training, knowledge and experience to avoid the risks involved such as blood-vessel occlusion.  Yes, that is scary!

Who can have dermal filler injections?

Officially, any adult who is clinically healthy and deemed fit to make an informed decision about the treatment and its associated risks can have dermal fillers.  However, I follow at over thirty’s only policy.  A thorough health assessment and consultation is vital before we can proceed with any procedure.  We both need to agree that you are suitable before we can go ahead.

Who can’t have dermal filler injections?

There are contraindications to having dermal fillers.  For example anyone with a previous allergic reaction/sensitivity to a dermal filler or someone with an allergy to the local anaesthetic Lidocain (which is added to the dermal fillers I use here for your comfort). Pregnant or breast feeding-mothers are also contraindicated to treatment.  There are some acute (ie infections/skin disease) and chronic health concerns which I would consider to be contraindicated too – your health and well-being are always my priority, a thorough consultation is necessary for everyone.

What’s involved in the treatment?

After your consultation and assessment, and if you are suitable for treatment we can proceed and complete a consent form and discuss the aftercare advice you need to be aware of.  You will be treated in a clinically safe and hygienic environment.  You will be asked to sit/lie on a couch and made comfortable.  Your skin will be prepared with cleansing.  When the area is ready the dermal filler will be administered under the skin.  You may feel some discomfort but generally most people say it’s not painful.

Afterwards, you will be given all the after-care advice you need to follow and details of what to expect following treatment.  Then you can return to normal light activities.

What should I do after dermal fillers?

Following your treatment you can expect some local swelling and maybe (unlikely) bruising. A cold compress may help ease this, and Arnica cream may be recommended to encourage the bruise to come out.  You need to avoid any vigorous exercise, alcohol or sun exposure for 48hours.  Some medications may be better avoided to ensure optimum healing too.  All this information will be given to you in more detail both verbally and in writing before and during your treatment.

What areas can be treated with dermal fillers? 

Dermal fillers can be used to smooth away facial lines and wrinkles, re-volumise areas where fat has been lost or now sags.  Facial fillers can create (natural looking) fuller lips and shape facial contours, such as cheeks and chin.  HA is also used to revitalise the skin.  The most commonly treated areas are: nose to mouth lines (the nasolabial folds), down-turned lips, between the eyebrows (the glabella lines), lips (adding volume and shape) and cheeks.

When will I see results of facial fillers? 

You will see the results instantly; however there may be slight swelling due to the slight tissue trauma from the needle/injections.  I believe results are best after two weeks, once it has settled and the skin is super hydrated.

How long do dermal filler effects last?

Dermal fillers are long-lasting but not permanent, they usually last between 9-12 months but this can vary for different individuals.

Will I look unnatural after a dermal filler treatment?

My ethos here as is always ‘less is more’.  I will only inject what’s needed to achieve a natural look.  You don’t want to look different, just healthier.

Do dermal filler injections hurt?

Dermal filler injections can be slightly uncomfortable depending on the depth of injection needed.  However, I am regularly told I am a gentle injector, so please don’t worry.  Also, the products I use have some local anaesthetic mixed in with them, for your comfort, the idea is that this will numb the area whilst its being rejuvenated.

How long will a dermal filler procedure take?

After your consultation, you need a short time to complete your consent form and ask any further questions, we will take some photos and the actual procedure can take between 10-30 minutes depending on which area we are treating.

What do dermal fillers cost?

Dermal fillers are charged per syringe as they are single use only.

A single syringe costs €300.oo.  Further syringes, used at the same appointment, are then discounted to €250.oo each.

For example:

One syringe costs €300.00

Two syringes costs €550.00

Three syringes cost €800.00

What are the side effects of dermal fillers?

Short-term side effects can include redness, swelling, pain, itching, bruising and/or tenderness at the injection site.  These can be relieved with a cold compress and usually resolve very quickly.  Paracetamol and Arnica cream may be advised if you have no allergies.  Lips can be particularly sensitive and swelling may last for a few days.

There is no evidence to date of any long-term safety concerns associated with dermal filler procedures, as the body naturally metabolises the product over time.

Are dermal fillers safe?

There are many dermal fillers on the market, some of which are not safe.  Rest assured that I only use trusted and reputable dermal fillers with high-safety profiles.  These include the Restylane and Juvederm product ranges.

These are the most scientifically documented hyarulonic acid based dermal fillers in the world with comprehensive studies that support their safety and efficacy.  They have been used for more than 10 million treatments worldwide during the last 12 years.  As mentioned above, dermal filler’s resemble the body’s own hyaluronic acid, which reduces the risk of an allergic reaction.

What are the risks associated with dermal fillers?

If you have any history of cold sores, the likelihood of an outbreak is high.  An anti-herpes treatment (ie Zovirax) will be advised to use for two days prior to your treatment, during and after to hopefully stop an outbreak.

There is always a risk of an allergic reaction, but this is extremely rare.

There is also a risk of infection, this is why it is vital to be treated in a clinically safe environment where stringent sterile precautions can be taken, and it is absolutely necessary to follow the after-care instructions that will be given to you.

As I always say, when a needle is involved there is always a risk of bruising – never book injectable treatment the week before a important event and never trust a injector who tells you they’ve never bruised anyone…

All after-care advice will be given to you verbally and in writing before and after your procedure, along with direct contact details should you have any follow-up questions.

If you have any further questions, feel free to get in touch, or book in for a consultation today – Id love to see how I can help you.

Best Wishes

Louise