Stafford Skincare
providing specialist dermatology care
Dermal Fillers: Juvederm Ultra, Restylane
Dermal Fillers are injections that are used to fill out wrinkles and lines, plump out sunken cheeks and reshape lips. Nowadays, there is a huge choice in the different types of Dermal Fillers available such as collagen fillers, non-animal hyaluronic acid (NaHA) fillers, temporary or permanent fillers.
Stafford Skincare uses non-animal hyaluronic acid (NaHA) Dermal Fillers such as Juvederm Ultra and Restylane (Touch, Vital Light, Lipp and Perlane), as these have been studied extensively and have a good safety profile and a low risk of side-effects. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring product found in skin, but it is produced in smaller quantities as we get older. Injecting hyaluronic acid into a wrinkle helps to plump it out, giving an instantly younger, smoother look which will last for about 6 – 9 months.
Dermal Fillers can be used to soften wrinkles and lines, restore face volume, augment lips and restore skin hydration. The commoner areas treated include:
• Nasolabial folds (nose to mouth lines)
• Marionette lines (sad lines, drooping mouth corners)
• Fine lines around the mouth (smoker’s lines, bleeding lipstick lines)
• Lips (lip border or making lips plumper)
• Frown lines (worry lines)Dermal Fillers such as Restylane Vital Light can also be used to treat the wrinkled, crepey appearance on the back of hands and upper chest (décolletage) or to improve the texture of the facial skin making it look smoother and more hydrated.
Improvement in laughter lines after Dermal Filler
Dermal Fillers are given by injection using a sterile disposable syringe with a very fine needle. A local anaesthetic cream is rubbed into the area to be treated so most people feel no discomfort during treatment. Juvederm Ultra, and the new range of Restylane Dermal Fillers both contain a local anaesthetic which makes the procedure relatively pain-free. Although the treatment itself takes less than 15 minutes, the first visit will take up to an hour, as a full and detailed medical history will need to be taken prior to any course of treatment.
Side effects of NaHA dermal fillers are very rare. Most people have some redness, tenderness and swelling after treatment which usually clears in 1 -2 days. Some people may get bruising at the site of injection, especially if the lips are treated, which may last for 1 – 2 weeks. Hypersensitivity reactions are very rare, and a skin pre-test is not necessary with NaHA Dermal Fillers.
As studies have not been carried out in pregnant or breast-feeding women, it is best to avoid Dermal Fillers until later. Other cautions include recent laser treatment, active herpes infection (cold sores), acne or other skin conditions, and previous permanent implants at the treatment site.
FAQsQ. Does it hurt – I’m frightened of injections?
A. Juvederm Ultra and the new range of Restylane Dermal Fillers both contain a local anaesthetic which makes the procedure relatively pain-free. Stafford Skincare also uses a local anaesthetic cream to ensure that treatments are comfortable. Sometimes an injection of local anaesthetic will need to be given prior to treating the lips as these are more sensitive.Q. Which treatment is best for my wrinkles - Botox®, Dermal Fillers or surgery?
A. As a general rule of thumb, if your skin is saggy and baggy – surgery will be best. Botox® works best as a treatment for dynamic wrinkles (wrinkles that are made worse by using muscles such as frowning). Dermal Fillers will help to correct deeper lines that are visible at rest. Sometimes a combination of treatments will be necessary for different parts of the face.Q. Can treatments be combined?
A. Yes - Nowadays people want to have less wrinkles, but they also want to look natural with fresh vibrant skin. Younger people often need only Botox® to treat early wrinkles. More mature skin may need a Dermal Filler as well as Botox® as wrinkles become deeper and more fixed. Skin hydration can be improved by a Dermal Filler such as Restylane Vital Light. The complexion can be brightened by Chemical Peels, Laser or Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) Skin Rejuvenation making it look fresher and younger.Q. How long does a Dermal Filler last?
A. It depends on the area treated, but usually between 6 – 9 months before the effects begin to wear off.Q. What happens at my first visit?
A. You will have a thorough medical assessment during which your concerns will be discussed. If I am able to help you, we will fully discuss each treatment option, possible side-effects, how often you would have to return for more treatments and the costs involved before you decide if you wish to proceed.Q. What can and can’t I do after treatment?
A. Life carries on as normal after treatment with a Dermal Filler, except that you are asked not to take part in vigorous exercise or apply make-up for 4 – 6 hours. You should not rub the area after the treatment. It is best to avoid sunbathing, solariums and exposure to extreme cold until the initial redness and swelling has settled.Q. What happens if I don’t repeat the treatment?
A. Your skin will gradually go back to the way it looked prior to you having any treatment.Q. What are the side-effects of Dermal Fillers?
A. It is rare to have any side-effects from one of the range of NaHA Dermal Fillers but occasionally problems will happen. Most people have some redness, tenderness and swelling at the site of treatment lasting a few days. Some people may have bruising, especially if they have been taking Aspirin, Vitamin E, St Johns Wort or Ibuprofen. It is rare for any of these effects to last longer than 1 – 2 weeks. Hypersensitivity reactions are very rare with this range of product – these include redness and swelling lasting longer than 3 weeks, sterile abscesses and granuloma formation.
© K.A.Ward 2009
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