Dermal Fillers
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What do Dermal Fillers do?
Dermal Fillers fill deep or superficial wrinkles, which may still be visible despite use of other anti-wrinkle muscle relaxants ("Product B"). Fillers are also used to fill lost volumes of the mid/lower face as we age, or they can also be used to enhance or augment certain areas of the face or neck. For example, fillers can augment lips, cheekbones, and defects like scars which are visible at rest.
Sometimes Product B is used in combination with fillers when treating certain areas to prolong the duration and the efficacy of the filler. Dr Sue will discuss treatment options with you and offer advice, ultimately giving you the choice.
What is the difference between Product B and Dermal Fillers?
To understand this you have to be aware that there are 2 types of wrinkles.
Dynamic wrinkles: These are created by the actions of the muscles, and are only visible when you use the muscles, i.e. when smiling, squinting, frowning or raising the eyebrows. Product B is used to treat dynamic wrinkles by relaxing the muscles, which cause many facial lines and unwanted facial expressions.
Static wrinkles: These are the lines which are visible when you are at rest (i.e. with no muscle action). They have resulted from facial volume loss and muscle over activity over the years. Static wrinkles are treated with DERMAL FILLERS.
What are the uses of dermal fillers?
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Upper Face
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Forehead lines.
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Eyebrow elevation
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Glabellar lines (frown lines).
Mid Face
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Periorbital lines (Crow’s Feet / smile lines).
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Tear Trophs (filling the crease that happen below the lower eyelids as we age).
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Cheek augmentation
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Augmentation of Temples
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Correction of nasal irregularities or shape (medical rhinoplasty)
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Nasolabial folds (between your nose, mouth and cheeks)
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Filling of superficial wrinkles on cheeks (accordion lines)
Lower Face
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Lip augmentation
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Upper lip lines (smoker’s lines)
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Filling of marionette lines (mouth frown)
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Filling or correction of Jowls (filling skin over the edge of the lower jaw)
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Chin augmentation.
Other Uses:
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Correction of scars
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Filling any subcutaneous skin defects.
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Filling hand bones defects.
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Augmentation of the nipples or ear lobes
What are injectable dermal fillers? Do they come from animals?
No, there are no animal ingredients in the fillers. They are smooth injectable gels, which are made from natural complex sugar called Hyaluronic Acid (HA), which is found within living cells of the human body.
HA assists in skin hydration by attracting and holding water. It also combines with collagen and elastin to help provide skin structure and elasticity.
With age, the quality and production of our own HA and collagen diminishes, creating wrinkles, lines, sagging skin and the depletion of cheeks and lips. Injecting Dermal Filler into these areas replaces these natural products, creating a more full and youthful appearance.
There are different types of fillers. Dr Sue uses a particular brand which produces excellent results, and is the only filler that includes local anaesthetic Lidocaine within the injection (reducing pain during the procedure). No skin test is needed, however it is important to inform Dr Sue if you had permanent fillers in the past.
How long do dermal fillers last?
Dermal fillers are long-lasting, but ultimately, bio-degradable and non-permanent. It can last 6-12 months before being completely reabsorbed. Sometimes it lasts for up to 18 months, it depends on which filler is used and what area is treated. For example, if we are treating fine lines, we use a fine product, however when replacing volume (for example in cheek augmentation), we use the most viscous product. The finer the product, the lower the price and the less time it lasts. The more viscous the product, the more expensive the price, and the longer lasting it is.
The effect can be cumulative – smaller volumes are sometimes needed for maintenance treatments.
Sometimes adding few units of Product B will prolong the duration of action of dermal fillers, Dr sue will advise you on the best treatment options for you, so you get the longest duration of action from the filler.
What sort of pain or discomfort do you expect with dermal filler injections?
Very little or none at all. After Dr Sue arrived from Canada where she attended an advanced, hands on conference with international Association For Physicians in Aesthetic Medicine, she began using special topical anaesthetic ointment composed of 4 different topical anaesthetic agents. This anaesthetic ointment is applied to the treatment area 15 minutes prior to injection. This, in combination with the local anaesthetic Lidocaine included in the dermal filler (as discussed above), make the experience very comfortable.
Since Dr Sue has been using this technique, there is NO NEED for any injectable local anaesthetics (nerve blocks) which are required when using other products. Nevertheless, if you have a low pain threshold you can request an injectable local anaesthetic. Dr Sue will administer the anaesthetic at no additional cost.
After the consultation with Dr Sue and deciding about the treatment areas, she will apply the ointment & let you sit and relax with a cup of tea until the anaesthetics take effect. Our patients are fascinated with the difference since they often dreaded the pain and discomfort of injectable dermal fillers.
What are the Possible Side Effects?
Some people have minor injection-related reactions. These include swelling, bruising, redness, pain, itching, discolouration and tenderness at injection sites. These typically resolve by themselves – usually within a few days from skin injections, and within a week from lip injections (lips usually swell and bruise the most). It is advisable to give enough time prior to any important engagement you are attending.
Dr Sue advises to allow at least 2 weeks prior to an engagement.
Could you still have Face Lift or surgery after fillers?
Yes, a face-lift can be performed after treatment with fillers. The skin on the face is thick enough to prevent the filler from becoming visible after a face-lift. Sometimes the need for a facelift or other surgery can be reduced or even eliminated by the use of fillers, or the need for repeated surgery can be delayed.
Do I need to do anything prior to treatment?
Yes, you need to:
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Avoid alcoholic beverages within 24-48 hours prior to your treatment. Please avoid red wine one week prior to treatment.
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Avoid anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen, Advil, Voltaren, Celebrex, etc), aspirin, Vitamin E, or Ginkgo Biloba one week prior to treatment. This will reduce the possible side effects of bruising and/or swelling in the treated area(s). If you are on small dose aspirin to prevent heart attacks or strokes, please stop taking the aspirin 24 hours prior to treatment, and recommence 24 hours after treatment. If you are on clopidogrel or Warfarin, please contact Dr Sue or our receptionists.
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Avoid products/treatments that boost metabolism (e.g. diet pills) one week prior to treatment.
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Discontinue Retin-A products three days before and three days after treatment.
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You cannot be pregnant or breastfeeding to receive this treatment as the safety of the product hasn't been tested during pregnancy or lactation.
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Patients who have a history of recurring cold sores (Herpes simplex type1) should start oral Valtrex 500 mg tablets two days prior to your Dermal Filler treatment and continue for three days after (prophylactic treatment to prevent the development of Herpes). Valtrex needs prescription, just call our receptionists and Dr Sue will leave you a presription.
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If you develop a cold sore, rash, infection or acne at the area to be treated, please reschedule your appointment.
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If you have a special event or vacation coming up, schedule your treatment at least two weeks prior to the event as discussed above.
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If you have a bruising tendency, you should start taking Arnica one day prior to treatment.
Are there any instructions Post Treatment?
Yes:
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After your treatment, you may experience some redness, itching and/or swelling. This should last less than seven days. Cold compresses may be used immediately after treatment to reduce swelling. If the redness, swelling and/or any other reactions persist greater than seven days, please contact the practice.
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If the pain is uncomfortable, use paracetamol based medication like Panadol and follow the directions on the bottle. Do not use anti-inflamatory drugs such as Nurofen or aspirin as it may increase bruising at the injection site.
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Avoid touching the treated area for six hours following the treatment. After that, you can wash the area gently.
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It is important to immobilise the injected area as much as possible for the next 48-72 hours (minimise smoking and/or drinking from a straw) as the product requires this time to settle.
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Sunbathing and cold outdoor activities should be avoided until the redness and/or swelling settle.
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If you are prone to developing cold sores and you forgot to start prophylactic Valtrex, speak to Dr Sue and she will give you a prescription during to consultation. Please remember, it is recommended that you start the Valtrex prior to treatment (as discussed above).
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Avoid exercise and alcohol, especially red wine for six hours after the treatment.
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Continue with Arnica for a few days post treatment to minimize bruising.
Dr Sue would like to see you in 2-3 weeks after treatment for final result and any possible correction that could be required.
In Australia the TGA prevents the advertising of prescription only products used for cosmetic wrinkle treatments. For more information regarding these products, or if you have any questions, please contact our friendly staff.