Injectable dermal fillers
Dermal fillers are very effective for treating fine lines and wrinkles and for lip and cheek augmentation. My approach is to gradually build up the result over a few sessions and soften lines with an appropriate volume of filler rather than rush to eliminate the lines completely.
I also use this approach for augmentation and find a natural look can be easily achieved by placing the correct volume of filler in the right place.
Juvederm Ultra and Juvederm Voluma™
These are gel compounds containing Hyaluronic Acid (HA), which is a natural material found in skin, but manufactured using biotechnology.
HA is very effective for the correction of lines and wrinkles and for lip enhancement. HA restores a youthful appearance and natural resilience to your skin by simply adding to its natural supply. After injection, the HA binds to water and generally remains for months as it is slowly re-absorbed by the body over this time.
This is a revolutionary lip filler created by Allergan, the makers of Botox®, Juvederm Ultra and Voluma. It is designed specifically for the lips and provides a longer lasting and more plump effect than the Juvederm Ultra range of lip fillers. Results are seen to maintain improvement in lip fullness for up to a year.
The formula is more like a silky serum than a thick syrup or gel which gives it an ultra smooth feel. The unique composition of Juvederm Volbella means that it can be administered with the thinnest needles in the industry. It is combined with a built-in painkilling anesthetic, ensuring patients have the most comfortable experience possible. All these features help to dramatically reduce bruising and recovery time. Choose Juvederm Volbella to have smoother, softer, and longer lasting results with your filler.
The different versions are designed so they can be injected at different depths of the skin. Depending on the formulation used and the area treated, the effects of HA last from 6 to 12 months.
Juvederm Ultra is injected more superficially and is used for wrinkle correction and lip enhancement.
Juvederm Voluma is injected more deeply and is used for correcting deep folds, cheek enhancement and subtle shaping of facial features.
Fillers are a safe and long-lasting solution with a proven track record as more than 700,000 treatments have been carried out in more than 60 countries around the world.
No animal products are used in their manufacture and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States of America have approved them.
No pre-testing is required for this treatment and Juverderm Ultra also contains local anaesthetic to make the injection of the gel a comfortable procedure.
Juvederm Voluma is injected into the skin using a very fine needle under the comfort of local anaesthetic. The gel provides and creates a natural volume that is instantly visible.
There may be bruising, swelling, redness, pain, itching, discolouration and tenderness around the treated areas, immediately after the injections.
These symptoms usually subside within a few days, though it may take up to a week in the case of the lips. Application of a cool pack will help reduce any swelling and arnica will help with the bruising.
If you are prone to cold sores at the injection site, treatment may bring out another eruption.
Occasionally, lumpy nodules may occur a few days to weeks after the treatment, however, regular firm massaging of the treated area during the first 2 weeks after treatment will minimise the risk of this occurring.
Local allergic reactions in the treated area are very rare, but have occurred in about 1 in 2,000 patients.
The treatment is not recommended if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
Use with other treatments
Treatment with fillers can also be combined with other treatments, such as Botox® and chemical peels.
After Botox®, it is best to wait 2 weeks before treatment with fillers.
After fillers, it is best to wait 4-6 weeks before a chemical peel.
