Facial fillers (otherwise known as dermal fillers) are injectable gels used to restore or add volume to the face. Fillers vary in density (thickness), which determines the area they can be used in, whether that is to provide lift or contouring, create symmetry, or enhance a particular feature such as the lips.

Facial fillers are a type of facial injectable. Facial fillers literally fill in a wrinkle5 using a synthetic or natural ingredient.

Fillers can also be permanent or temporary. A permanent filler can provide lasting results. Non-permanent fillers, can have durable long-lasting results (up to 24 months, depending on the particular filler) but your body is able to metabolise it and eventually the results will fade.

HA facial fillers are fillers that are injected directly into the skin to reduce the signs of aging and improve overall skin quality. They also add volume, to either restore volume lost over time or to provide a subtle enhancement.

HA is a naturally occurring sugar found in the body that maintains the moisture in our skin by binding water molecules. It’s found in our connective tissues, including our skin. In fact, about half of the HA in our body is found within the skin..

As we age, our skin renews itself more slowly and produces less HA, collagen and elastin, leaving us with thinner skin in which wrinkles and folds may start to appear. Adding moisturisers may provide a short-term effect; however, HA facial fillers can add moisture to the deeper layers of the skin.

Facial fillers have the range designed to treat different areas of the face, depending on the results you’d like to achieve. Your aesthetics practitioner will work with you to identify the right facial fillers for you and tell you more about how they can be used to smooth lines and wrinkles, add volume and enhance or define facial features.

REFRESH IT

Hyaluronic acid facial fillers are injectable treatments. Depending on the specific facial filler, they can be used to replace lost volume, lift cheeks and plump lips, smooth lines and wrinkles and restore moisture content

Results can last up to 24 months, depending on the treatment chosen.

• Softening the lines around your eyes
• Lifting and project your eyebrows
• Improving your under-eye area
• Adding volume to your temple
• Adding fullness to your cheeks
• Lifting and projecting, for a more defined look
• Softening any laugh lines and smoothing lines around the mouth
• Adding volume and definition to plump your lips
• Contouring your chin and jawline

The patented technology allows facial fillers to blend with the tissue under the skin to keep you looking like you, whether you’re smiling, laughing or frowning

During consultation, your aesthetics practitioner will look at your face whilst it’s still (static) and moving (dynamic) to make sure they’re able to give you a result you’ll be happy with.

A study showed that 96% of people reported being ‘delighted’ or ‘happy’ immediately after treatment with HA facial fillers 20 mg/ml.

*110 of the 115 people asked.

A personal treatment plan will be devised by your aesthetics practitioner, based on your individual goals, and you will be advised on the number of products required to achieve the best results. The optimal quantity of product will be defined by your aesthetics practitioner.

Facial fillers are made from hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring sugar that dissolves in your body over time. With over 32.7 million treatments performed to date, HA facial fillers has an established safety profile and is available in more than 100 countries around the world. Your aesthetics practitioner will help you understand the process and is the best person to reassure you on the safety profile of facial fillers range.

Your aesthetics practitioner will also ask about your medical history to determine
if HA facial fillers is appropriate for you. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or have:

Allergies to hyaluronic acid, other filler products, gram positive bacterial proteins, lidocaine or other local anaesthetics, severe allergies with a history of anaphylaxis or multiple severe allergies

A history of hypertrophic scarring, autoimmune disease, autoimmune deficiency, recurrent sore throats, rheumatic fever porphyria, taking anti-coagulation or immunosuppressive medication

Untreated epilepsy

If you've been wondering about facial fillers, talk to an expert to find out if they might be right for you. Remember, a consultation doesn't mean commitment; it’s just the first step to learn more. Find a clinic near you.

You may be focused on one particular area of your face, or you may just want to know more in general. Either way, your aesthetics practitioner will take the time to evaluate your face to come up with a personalised treatment plan.

The consultation may start with them discussing your specific area of interest. Don’t be too surprised if they take a couple of photos to use as tools to point out your unique face structure and how a dermal filler can be used for you. In addition, they may show you pictures of other people (or you can ask to see some!) to get a better idea of real life results.

If you decide you want the treatment, your aesthetics practitioner will come up with a tailored treatment plan just for you. They will walk you through the treatment to get the results you want, and if you are feeling ready, they may even give you your first treatment or will make sure you are booked in for the appropriate appointments.

Your appointment length will depend on your individual treatment plan and aesthetics practitioner, although as a guide they commonly last between 30 minutes and an hour. Your aesthetics practitioner will start by reviewing your treatment plan and giving you the ins and outs of what to expect that day. They will go over the number of injection points to show you how they will achieve the results you are after.

When you are ready, they will first sanitise your treatment areas to prepare them for the injections. HA facial fillers include the anaesthetic lidocaine, which can help reduce any discomfort you may feel during the treatment.

Each injection is short, lasting a few seconds, and the amount of facial fillers used will be dependent on your main treatment objective. The treatment technique will also vary depending on what you are looking to achieve. For example, they may be injecting an area of your face that isn’t necessarily your area of concern, because the effect it will create will give you the results you want.

After each injection, your aesthetics practitioner will massage the area to ensure that the facial fillers is placed properly and smoothed into your skin. You will be able to see your results shortly after the treatment. There may be some swelling and redness at the injection points, but most people can return to their normal routine on the same day, depending on the treatment received.

Your aesthetics practitioner may want to schedule a follow-up appointment in a couple of weeks, just to check in and make sure you are happy with the results. It’s a great opportunity to make sure you are completely satisfied with your treatment, or if you want a small touch-up to get the results you are after.

The cost of facial fillers is determined by the specific treatment recommended by an aesthetics practitioner; therefore, the cost can vary depending on the clinic. Be sure to discuss costs when determining a recommended treatment plan with your aesthetics practitioner to make sure you will achieve the results you want, within the budget you are looking to spend.

Treatment times are specific to each individual and will vary depending on the number of injections that are required for the results you want. Your aesthetics practitioner will discuss exact treatment times with you when you decide on a plan. However, most treatments take 30 minutes to an hour.

HA facial fillers include the anaesthetic lidocaine, which can help reduce any discomfort you may feel during treatment.

Results are visible shortly after treatment. Most people return to their normal routine on the day they are treated, depending on treatment received.

Potential side effects associated with facial filler products include temporary injection-site reactions such as:

• Redness
• Swelling
• Itching
• Pain
• Tingling/numbness
• Firmness/bumps
• Bruising
• Discoloration

Discuss these important treatment considerations before treatment in order to help avoid unsatisfactory results and complications:

You are currently taking immunosuppressive therapy or medications which prolong bleeding, such as aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or anti-coagulants, as with any injection, you may experience prolonged bleeding. You should inform your doctor about any medications you are currently taking

You have recently had other skin surface treatments (such as laser treatment, skin peels, or dermabrasion) or have previously used fillers

You have skin infections or inflammation such as acne or cold sores

You scar frequently

You have a history of autoimmune disease or deficiency, recurrent sore throats, rheumatic fever or porphyria

You have untreated epilepsy

You have allergies to hyaluronic acid, other filler products, gram positive bacterial proteins, lidocaine or other local anaesthetics, severe allergies with a history of anaphylaxis or multiple severe allergies

You are pregnant or breastfeeding, or you are under the age of 18 years (under the age of 21 years if treating the lips), as the safety of facial filler products has not been established

You may experience swelling or redness after treatment. Most people can return to their normal routine on the day they are treated, depending on treatment received

After treatment, you may be able to return to your daily routine without disruption. However, your aesthetics practitioner might advise avoiding a few things like wearing makeup on the treated areas, extended periods in the sun, saunas, UV rays or very cold temperatures, for a while.

Your aesthetics practitioner will advise on how best to maintain your results. They may suggest a follow-up appointment 2 weeks after treatment.

Results with HA facial fillers 20 mg/ml can last up to 24 months, depending on the treatment chosen.

Facial filler treatments are temporary so if you decide not to have any more then any remaining hyaluronic acid will be naturally absorbed into your skin, and the effects will fade away.

Understand exactly what treatments you’ve had. What you’ve had done on what date, and recording any other facial treatments you may have tried, is a way to stay on top of your appointments and help both you and your aesthetics practitioner to have the entire picture.