Face Fillers
Filler is the treatment we are all so grateful for so that we can age with grace.
A filler treatment will strengthen and emphasize your natural features. It is also used to restore or maintain beauty that has slowly been lost with time.
For example, we can strengthen the chin or nose to create a more balanced profile, volumize the cheekbones which is usually one of the first facial features we lose volume in.
Fillers can also sculpt the lips or rejuvenate the skin.
What are Fillers?
Fillers is a collective name for volumizing injections, based on hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is found naturally in the skin. It binds moisture and gives a youthful appearance. As we age, the skin loses not only collagen but also hyaluronic acid. This causes the skin to sag and one loses the “Glow” of their youth.
How long does a fillers treatment last?
Since hyaluronic acid is found naturally in our skin, our bodies recognize it and break it down, just like naturally occurring hyaluronic acid. Therefore, the treatment is not permanent. However, the more often an area is treated with fillers, the longer and more durable the treatment lasts. There are many factors that determine how long fillers last but a main factor is your body’s metabolism. Typical duration of fillers can last anywhere from a few months up to 1-3 years.
Does it hurt to get a filler treatment?
The most sensitive area of the face are the lips, because of the nerve innervation in that area. Before treating the lips we always add a strong anesthetic ointment. For the remaining areas, there is a small amount of “dental anesthesia” (Lidocaine) inside the syringe, which numbs the area being treated.
When do you see the results of the treatment?
The results are visible immediately after the treatment. However, we usually say that the final result is achieved after 2 weeks. The hyaluronic acid has then been nicely integrated into the skin and all the swelling has subsided.
Can I go straight to work after my filler treatment?
Yes. Generally speaking most fillers do not require any downtime and you may go back to your daily activities if you wish so.
What side effects can you expect after filler's treatment?
The most common side effect of facial fillers is a mild swelling in the area being treated. Bruising can also occur but can be hidden easily with a little makeup.
The area treated can be tender for a few days after treatment, and is nothing to be concerned with.
Very rare complications include infections at the injection site or occlusion of blood vessels. It is therefore very important to be treated by an experienced doctor that knows how to handle complications.
Can I remove the fillers if I wouldn't like the result?
Yes, fillers based on hyaluronic acid can be removed with an enzyme called Hyaluronidase. The hyaluronidase breaks down most of the fillers in 24 hours. Your appearance is restored to its previous state before the procedure.
What should I consider after receiving a filler treatment?
After the treatment, you should not exercise for at least 24 to 48 hours. You should also sleep on your back for a few days so as not to flatten the treated area. Makeup and all various creams should be avoided for the first few hours after treatment in order to reduce the risk of infection. Direct sun, solarium, and saunas should also be avoided the first few days after treatment.
When can I make a facial or other form of treatment after fillers?
If you plan on any other form of treatment, such as facial, laser or the like, you should schedule it 2 weeks after your fillers’ treatment.
Which fillers brands do you use in your clinic and why?
We use different brands depending on which area is being treated. The brands we have chosen are the best in the market for each area. Some of the filler brands we use are Restylane, Teosyal, Belotero, Revaness and Juvuderm.
The most important factors we consider when we choose a brand of fillers, is that it provides natural results, does not cause any complications and does not migrate outside the treated area.
I have previously been treated with another brand. Is it OK to mix different fillers?
As long as the fillers are hyaluronic acid based, it is ok to be treated with different brands. It is best to wait 3 months before being processed with a new brand. That being said, permanent fillers shouldn’t be mixed with temporary fillers.
Are there permanent fillers?
In the past, silicone based fillers were often used which were / are permanent. We do not recommend being treated with them, as they often migrate outside the treated area. This is both becauae the law of gravity, and also because the structure of the skin changing with age.
Silicone-based fillers are not integrated into the skin in the same manner as hyaluronic acid (since it is not occurring naturally). Silicone based fillers can potentially form hard lumps. In case of any complications, it is not possible to break it down, and patients must undergo surgery to remove the material.
When should you not use Fillers?
If you have any form of autoimmune disease, it is good to consult with your doctor before administering fillers.
If you have any kind of infection that requires treatment, such as herpes or acne, it is best for them to have healed before filler treatment.
Is it possible to be treated with fillers when you are pregnant or breastfeeding?
Currently there aren’t any conclusive studies on fillers while nursing or during pregnancy. Therefore, doctors cannot give any guarantees. Dr. Nina advises patients to wait until after nursing to consider filler treatment.
Can one smoke after a filler treatment?
The best thing is if you avoid tobacco for 3 hours after treatment. If a patient is having the lips treated, then patients should not smoke for 1 day. This is to make sure the shape of the lips do not change.
I have heard that skin will sag if you do not continue with the filler's treatment. Is this is true?
False. Your skin does not sag more if you stop administering fillers treatment. Your appearance will return to its original look. It has also been shown that fillers increase collagen production in the skin and act as an anti-aging treatment.
