Safely Enhance Specific Areas of Your Face Dermal Fillers

Hyaluronic acid has also been used for more than 20 years for injection into arthritic joints to aid movement as well as for eye surgeries and wound repair. Clients who are allergic to gram positive bacteria should not be injected with hyaluronic acid based fillers. These fillers should not be used on people with a known potential for anaphylactic reactions, keloid formation, hypertrophic scarring or pigmentation disorders. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should not use dermal fillers.

Risks include hematoma or blood pooling beneath the skin, and although rare, infection and necrosis or skin loss is possible. An unsatisfactory outcome is also a risk. The greatest risk occurs when dermal fillers are injected by someone who is not properly qualified to perform injections. Semi-permanent and permanent fillers may carry a risk of clumping (the particles form a granuloma or lump that can be felt or seen beneath the skin). Particles may also migrate or displace from the injection site. Injection of an anti-inflammatory may help to improve minor clumps or swelling.

Generally, only dermal fillers derived from animal sources have a risk of allergy. The fillers we use are not derived from animal sources.  Fillers such as Zyderm, Zyplast and ArteFill are derived from bovine (cow) sources and a pre-treatment allergy test is part of the standard of care.

One advantage of most injectable treatments is that they are temporary. If you don’t like the results they will diminish in time. A hyaluronic acid based filler be more rapidly diminished (in weeks rather than months) with the injection of a substance called hyaluronodase in the treatment region.

Dermal fillers for cosmetic purposes should not be administered to anyone under 18 years of age.

Dermal fillers are generally appropriate for skin of color as these are colorless gels that should not be visible under the skin or alter the skin color.

In the first few days after injection, the treated area may feel a little firm; however, this should rapidly improve. In general, a dermal filler should not be felt under the skin. However, there is the risk with semi-permanent or permanent fillers of particles clumping together and forming a granuloma that may be felt or seen under the skin.

Approximately 30-60 minutes, depending on the treatment area(s).

Hyaluronic Acid fillers generally last from nine months to over a year, usually last longer after multiple injections. Having a follow-up treatment before the product has fully dissipated may enhance the lasting effect.  Consult your practitioner about recommendations for follow-up treatments.

Many clients will feel comfortable resuming their normal activities following treatment. However, with some fillers there will be temporary bruising, swelling or redness. This will normally last less than a week. Avoid the sun and cold outdoor activities until side effects disappear.