Treatment Info

Dermal fillers have grown to be one of the most popular anti-ageing treatments because they provide an instant natural looking result with minimal or no down time.

What are Dermal Fillers?

Dermal fillers are sterile gels used to plump up areas of the skin, helping them look firmer and restoring the skin’s former youthful appearance.

Choosing which product to use

The distinguishing factor between different fillers is their composition, the gel-particle size and the length of time they last. During your consultation with the doctor, your expectations of the cosmetic effect of the treatment will be discussed and the correct product will be identified e.g. fillers with small particles are used for superficial lines and larger particle gels for deeper wrinkles and folds.

Different types of dermal fillers

There is a huge variety of fillers on the market however at The Hadleigh Clinic our priority is to only offer treatments with a high safety profile. All the dermal filler products we use have undergone years of rigorous independent research, they do not contain any animal derivatives and are proven to be safe and effective.

Hyaluronic acid based fillers e.g. Juvederm ULTRA and Restylane are the most favoured fillers by cosmetic experts in the U.K. because they are very safe with virtually no risks. Hyaluronic acid (HA), which is present in all living tissue, is a substance that binds water, hydrates the skin and promotes softness and fullness. Whilst hyaluronic acid is abundant in youthful skin, as we age our HA gradually becomes less efficient which leads to the loss of natural elasticity and youthful volume. Calcium hydroxylapatite is a component of another popular filler in the U.K known as Radiesse.

Different brands of fillers

There is a huge variety of fillers currently on the market and new products are launched all the time. At The Hadleigh Clinic we use the most popular brands however if there is a specific product you are familiar with and prefer please let us know and we will probably be able to use it for you.

Leading Brands in the UK

Juvederm ULTRA (Hyaluronic Acid filler from Allergan).

Juvederm ULTRA is a range of 5 products (Juvederm ULTRA 2, 3, 4, Juvederm Ultra Smile and Voluma) from Allergan the manufacturers of BOTOX^®. Juvederm ULTRA is a smooth gel and the first dermal filler to contain Lidocaine (local anaesthetic) to make the treatment virtually pain free.

Restylane (Hyaluronic Acid filler from Q-MED)

The Restylane range consists of 7 products; each tailored to your individual treatment needs (Restylane Vital Light, Restylane Vital, Restylane Touch, Restylane Lipp, Restylane Lidocaine, Perlane Lidocaine and Restylane SubQ). The Restylane Range uses the patented technology NASHA (Non-Animal Stabilised Hyaluronic Acid) which has been used in over 10 million treatments worldwide.

Radiesse (Calcium Hydroxylapatite filler from Bioform Medical)

Radiesse is made of very small, smooth calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) microspheres, which are suspended in a water-based gel carrier. As Radiesse is injected, the gel and Radiesse microspheres form a “scaffold”, stimulating collagen production and encouraging tissue growth in and around the injection area. This “partnership” between Radiesse and your own body creates a natural look, comprised of your own tissue and Radiesse microspheres.

Where can Dermal Fillers be used?

Dermal Fillers are used to lift lines, wrinkles and folds, contour and enhance certain facial areas and rejuvenate the skin.

Lines, wrinkles and folds treated with dermal fillers include:

Nose to Mouth Lines (Naso-labial lines)
Mouth to Chin Lines (Marionette lines)
Tear Troughs (under eye area)
Crow’s Feet (around the eye)
Frown Lines
Upper Lip Lines
Smile Lines

Contouring and enhancement include:

Cheeks
Chin
Lip

Skin Rejuvenation

Face
Neck
Décolletage
Back of hands

The Dermal Filler Treatment

Treatment with dermal fillers can be completed in as little as 15 minutes but it can be longer depending on the area being treated. Using a very fine needle your doctor will inject the filler under the surface of the skin. All of the dermal filler products used at our clinics contain pain-reducing lidocaine (local anaesthetic) for a comfortable treatment experience. The treatment benefits can be seen instantly and do not affect facial expression. After the treatment the treated area may be slightly red and/or slightly swollen, however you can resume normal activities, drive yourself home or return to work immediately after the treatment

To learn more about the process (including pre and post treatment information) click here.

How long will the effects last?

One of the great advantages of the products we use in our clinics is that the effects are long lasting but not permanent – therefore you are always in control of your looks and can change you treatment depending on how you are ageing. The duration of effect depends on the product used, a person’s age, how much filler is injected, the quality of the skin as well as general health and lifestyle.

With hyaluronic acid fillers e.g. Juvederm ULTRA and Restylane, the beneficial effects is typically up to one year (6-12 months) when treating facial lines and facial sculpting. For lip treatments the results can be expected to last up to 6 months. CaHA fillers e.g. Radiesse the results last approximately 12-18months. Repeat or touch up treatments can be performed at any time after the initial treatment.

Are there any side effects?

Today’s dermal fillers have come a long way since the first-generation of collagen injections. Advanced injection techniques and improved product safety means that side effects are extremely uncommon however should they occur they may include:

Injection-related reactions. These reactions may include swelling, redness, discomfort, itching and bruising at the injection site immediately after the treatment. Such reactions are typically mild and resolve within a few hours.
Allergic reaction. The risk of an allergic reaction is extremely rare and they are usually self-limiting. Allergic reactions can however be treated with oral or injectable corticosteroids or the product removed using an injectable enzyme (hyaluronidase).
Infection. As with all injections, this procedure carries a risk of infection. The syringe is sterile and standard precautions associated with injectable materials are taken.