Dermal Fillers

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance found throughout the body, especially in the skin, joints, and eyes. The body creates new hyaluronic acid for daily use. In the skin, it acts as a humectant, drawing in and holding onto water to keep the skin hydrated, smooth, and plump. As we age, natural levels of hyaluronic acid decline and production slows, skin loses firmness and hydration, and lines and wrinkles develop.

Scientists have developed stabilised, long-lasting hyaluronic acid gels that closely mimic the body’s own molecule and can be injected into various depths within the skin to restore and replenish volume, enhance contours, and improve the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Unlike natural hyaluronic acid, the gel formulation avoids rapid metabolism by the body, maintaining hyaluronic acid levels for longer.

Juvéderm is a well-known and well-studied range of hyaluronic acid-based dermal fillers. Each product in the Juvéderm Vycross Collection is tailored to treat different facial areas, tissue types, depths, and treatment goals based on the thickness, firmness, and other properties of the hyaluronic acid gel.

Juvéderm Voluma is used for chin, cheek and mid-face volume. Juvéderm Volift targets deeper lines and folds. Juvéderm Volbella is suited to lips, fine lines and tear troughs. Juvéderm Volux is a firmer product for chin and jawline definition, and Juvéderm Volite is great for improving overall skin quality and hydration.

Effects are classed as temporary because hyaluronic acid is eventually metabolised in the body over many months.

Dermal fillers add volume and smooth out static wrinkles, while anti-wrinkle treatment relaxes underlying muscles to reduce dynamic wrinkles.

Static wrinkles or lines are caused by skin ageing, a loss of collagen, elastin, and fat pad volume, the effects of gravity, and reduced hyaluronic acid production in the skin, which creates wrinkles and folds, commonly around the ears, nose, and mouth. Conversely, dynamic lines are formed by repeated facial movements, common when we have emotional responses, such as smiling, which creates crow’s feet lines at the corner of the eyes, frowning when angry, creating creases between the eyebrows at the top of the nose, or forehead lines when we raise the forehead in surprise or shock. Over time, repeated action not only creates a wrinkle during movement but also leaves a line that remains when at rest.

These two different treatment types are often used together for a more comprehensive full-face rejuvenation and anti-ageing treatment.

Dermal fillers are used to restore lost volume, smooth out wrinkles, and enhance facial contours. They can also improve the appearance of scars and rejuvenate the skin for a more youthful look.

At Forever Facial Aesthetics, we use Juvéderm® Vycross Collection products to add volume, lift, and shape the cheeks, lips, jawline, and chin, and to reduce hollowness and shadowing from nasolabial folds (nose-to-mouth lines), marionette lines (mouth-to-chin lines), and tear troughs (under-eye area).

The best filler choice for you will depend on the area being treated, your skin type, and the desired outcome. Our medical practitioners will assess your needs and recommend the most suitable product or product combination.

When administered by a trained, qualified, and experienced medical practitioner, dermal fillers are generally safe. Specialist training, a thorough understanding of facial anatomy, including the underlying vasculature of the face, by a registered healthcare professional and prescriber, delivers the best reassurance for safe outcomes.

For added safety, we use hyaluronic acid-based filler products that are classed as temporary in nature. The hyaluronic acid inside the stabilised gel is naturally broken down by the body over time. Similarly, hyaluronic acid gel can be reversed and dissolved in the unlikely event of an emergency or complication.

Although rare, serious risks from dermal filler treatment include accidental injection into a blood vessel, known as a vascular occlusion, which can lead to complications such as skin necrosis, stroke, or even blindness if not swiftly corrected. This highlights the importance of choosing a skilled, knowledgeable medical professional, like Dr Annette Phillips, who can manage complications and emergencies should they occur. Forever Facial Aesthetics carries an emergency medicine stock and can immediately prescribe the medication required to dissolve hyaluronic acid-based dermal fillers if a complication arises.

Other, uncommon side effects and risks from dermal filler treatment include allergic reactions, infection, lumps or uneven texture, and skin discolouration.

Yes, dermal fillers, especially those made from hyaluronic acid, like the Juvéderm® Vycross Collection we use at Forever Facial Aesthetics, can be dissolved and reversed with an enzyme called hyaluronidase if removal is desired or required in an emergency.

A medical consultation must be undertaken to determine suitability for treatment with the prescription medication, if requesting reversal as a non-emergency.

Yes, you may not be suitable for dermal filler treatment if you have active skin infections at the treatment site, including herpes simplex virus (cold sores), or active acne due to the risk of infection. Management of these must be considered before progressing. Certain active skin conditions may also temporarily exclude you from treatment, such as eczema, dermatitis, or severe sunburn on your face.

Severe and known allergies to any of the ingredients within the filler product, including hyaluronic acid or lidocaine, a history of anaphylaxis, and certain autoimmune disorders will also contraindicate you for treatment. Similarly, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, we will need to wait until that period of your life is complete before we can entertain dermal filler treatment.

If you take any blood-thinning medication, you will be advised of the increased risk of bruising after treatment.

If you have had other medical aesthetic treatments, including light-based therapies (laser and Intense Pulsed Light) or skin peels, you will be advised to wait up to 4 weeks before commencing dermal filler treatment.

Your suitability for treatment will be established during a thorough medical consultation with one of our doctors or nurses.

Immediately after dermal filler treatment, you will be able to see a change and improvement in the treated area. This will give you a first impression of your result and how it will look once healing has completed.

Dermal filler treatment is a cosmetic injectable procedure which is minimally invasive but does involve the use of needles to pierce the skin and causes inherent mild trauma. After treatment, you should expect mild redness, swelling, tenderness, itching, or bruising at the injection site(s), which will resolve in a few days. Most people tend to wake up the following day with these mild side effects, but they are unlikely to affect your day-to-day routine and activities.

Swelling is usually more pronounced after lip filler treatment, and for some it can be significant in the first 24-48 hours after treatment, settling over the coming days and during the first week. We recommend lip filler treatment at a time when you are not expecting to be very socially active. Similarly, we will not be able to treat you less than two weeks before you leave the country on holiday.

You should expect all swelling and healing from dermal filler placement to be complete after approximately two weeks. We may recommend a review appointment at this point, depending on your treatment type.

The results vary per patient, but treatment with dermal fillers typically lasts between 6 and 12 months, depending on factors such as the type and thickness of the filler gel product used, the area treated and its mobility, your metabolism and lifestyle habits. Some people experience longer-lasting results, up to two years, particularly for volumetric contouring with products like Juvéderm® Voluma.

We recommend repeat treatment every six months for most dermal filler treatments to maintain your results, and we will ensure your treatment plan is reviewed and optimised.