FACIAL FILLERS

Injectable fillers have been used in cosmetic medicine for a number of years. The popularity of this practice has soared recently leading to a proliferation of different filler products and an explosion in the number of practitioners. Dermal fillers are a highly effective treatment for the improvement of many facial lines and wrinkles. As with all medical treatments there are potential risks to be born in mind. Many practitioners of this technique have no training and no qualifications, this has lead to a number of high profile disasters. When used by the right practitioner with the right product for the right condition the results are predictable and dramatic and the risks negligible.

Fillers are injected in to the deeper layers of the skin to plump out lines and wrinkles. Not all lines and wrinkles are caused in the same way and therefore not all are suitable for this form of treatment.

The areas, which are most suitable for treatment with fillers, are those around the mouth (lipstick or smokers lines) and the nasolabial lines (those which run from the base of the nose to the corners of the mouth). Occasionally lines around the eyes may be suitable for treatment often in combination with Botox. (frown lines and crows feet)

There are approximately 50 different fillers on the market at the present time, many are simply copies of each other but the principle difference is whether the material is Permanent or non permanent.

Fillers, which are safe, are not permanent. Fillers, which are permanent, are not safe!

Permanent fillers are not used by Plastic Surgery Partners - Facial Aesthetics as they have an unacceptably high incidence of unwanted side effects, which can not be removed. Also if the aesthetic result is not what you want you are stuck with it for life.

The three fillers with the lowest incidence of problems, the highest levels of purity, the longest lasting results and the most research done on them are Collagen (Zyderm, Zyplast), Hyaluronic Acid (Restylane, Perlane, Restylane Fine Lines) and New Fill.

Restylane/Fine line/Perlane - Hyaluronic Acid

This is the gel filler most favoured by Plastic Surgery Partners - Facial Aesthetics Doctors for the treatment of lines and wrinkles around the mouth and for lip augmentation. It is manufactured from a non-animal source as distinct from many other forms of hyaluronic gel fillers. For this reason it has an extremely low incidence of allergic reaction (approx 1/5000) and therefore in contrast to collagen does not require a skin test.

The three products are all made of the same gel but the particles differ in size to give a tissue tailored approach.

Fine lines is injected more superficially for fine lines and wrinkles

Restylane is injected in to the middle layer of the dermis and is used for deeper lines and wrinkles and for lip augmentation

Perlane is injected in to the deeper dermis for nasolabial folds and lip augmentation

The effects of these fillers last for between 3 and 6 months

New Fill - Polylactic acid

Whilst hyaluronic acid consists to non-permanent filler, which gives a temporary improvement on skin-depressed scars, New Fill works slightly differently.

New fill in first instance corrects depressed scars adding volume as filler. However as it dissolves/gets absorbed, leaves a fine thread of collagen into the dermis, as it triggers fibroblasts to produce it when injected.
Permanent fillers are not recommended on acne scarring, as scars may be as dynamic as our normal skin. Moreover there are reports of granuloma formation several years after permanent filler injection, which could complicate the already compromised appearance of the skin.

Subcutaneous Fillers

Restylane SubQ - a new product exclusive to Plastic Surgery Partners - Facial Aesthetics

The recent launch of Restylane SubQ a brand new product brings a new treatment option for filling facial hollowing, cheekbone augmentation and chin enlargement. This product is made of the same gel as the other Restylane products, which have an unrivalled reputation for purity and low side effects. Restylane SubQ is injected into the deeper facial tissues under local anaesthesia to provide an instant improvement with a predictable degree of improvement and a short recovery time.

Plastic Surgery Partners - Facial Aesthetics is one of only four clinics selected by Q Med the manufacturers of Restylane products to launch this new treatment. Nick Percival is one of a handful of Doctors selected worldwide to be trained in Sweden as a trainer in the clinical use of Restylane SubQ.

To learn more about Restylane SubQ and to discover whether this exciting new treatment would be suitable for you book a consultation with one of our experts.

Here are some of the important facts you need to know regarding treatment with injectable fillers

You will require a consultation with our specialist aesthetician prior to treatment to determine if filler treatment is appropriate for you

You do not require any preparation prior to treatment unless you want Collagen and have never had it before (collagen has a small incidence of allergic reactions and you require a test injection in your forearm 6 weeks before facial treatment to reduce this risk)

Cold sores may be reactivated by injections around the mouth and you should inform the practitioner if you suffer with cold sores to take preventative medication prior to treatment

Nobody likes injections! Local anaesthetic cream can be applied prior to treatment to areas such as Nasolabial lies to reduce discomfort

Lip treatments are recommended to have a local anaesthetic block. There is a small additional charge and the block lasts about 4 hours (similar to the dentist)

There is minimal redness and swelling immediately after treatment except in lip treatments where the swelling may last for 2-3 days

There may be minor bruising but this risk can be reduced; by not taking Aspirin within 5 days of treatment

- Avoiding excessive alcohol intake
- Avoiding strenuous exercise for 2 days
- Informing the practitioner of any medication you may be taking

Makeup can be applied 6 hours after treatment

Following treatment of deep lines and wrinkles you may be advised to return 2 weeks after the initial treatment for a second or top up to enhance the final result

The filler will normally last up to 6 months for Restylane (slightly shorter for Collagen) and top up treatments are normally recommended after 3 months to maintain the effect

Fillers can occasionally produce lumpiness and unevenness this is dependant upon the skill of the practitioner, choose carefully who does it

If you are considering treatments prior to a special event allow at least a week to allow swelling and redness to settle completely