If you’re considering dermal fillers, below you’ll find information from our Experts here at LumaDoc.
Hyaluronic acid’s common name is dermal fillers. Hyaluronic acid is a compound that can be found naturally in the muscles, joints, fat, and skin. Hyaluronic acid can hold 1000 times its weight in water. By injecting it, we help to plump and moisturise the skin. It can be reintroduced into areas where age has depleted it or used to enhance areas where it was never abundant in the first place.
How long will it take for my Dermal Filler treatment to start working?
Immediately! One of the great things about dermal fillers is the immediate results. It takes 7 days for swelling to reduce, so be aware of that before assessing the final result. This will give the swelling time to subside and the treatment time to settle.
Before my Dermal Filler treatment, what should I do?
- Avoid alcohol 24 hours before treatment as it may increase your risk of bruising.
- You can wear make-up on the day of your treatment, but the doctor will remove it from the treatment area.
- You can use an icepack 20 minutes before your treatment to minimise post-treatment bruising and redness.
- Avoid Vitamin C, Retinol, AHA and BHA 24 hours before treatment.
- Avoid supplements that thin your blood for 5 days beforehand but DO NOT cease any prescribed medications
Supplements that may increase your risk of bruising:
- Ibuprofen
- John’s Wart
- Vitamin E
- Fish oil or Omega-3s
- Gingko Biloba
- Ginseng
After my Dermal Filler treatment, what should I do?
- You may experience some swelling and bruising the day after your procedure. This is completely normal and will subside in 5-7 days.
- Avoid heavy makeup or unnecessarily touching the area for 6 hours to reduce the risk of infection.
- Avoid Vitamin C, Retinol, AHA and BHA skincare products for 24 hours after treatment to give your treatment time to settle.
- Avoid rubbing or massaging the treated area for 24 hours to reduce the chance of the treatment moving.
- Keep upright for 4 hours to reduce the chance of the treatment moving to unintended areas.
- Avoid strenuous exercise such as weight-training or cross-fit for 24 hours as it can occasionally cause the treatment to move to unintended areas.
- Avoid saunas, jacuzzies or hot baths for 24 hours after the procedure, as the heat can result in treatment migration.
- Avoid excessive alcohol consumption as it can increase the risk of bruising.
- Don’t sleep on the treated area the night following your treatment.
How long do Dermal Fillers last?
This very much depends on the product. The more viscous the product, the longer it lasts. However, thicker products are more suited to deeper injections than superficial injections. Superficial products are thinner, more fluid, and will prevent lumps from showing.
Thick products can last up to 18 months to 2 years, while thinner, surface products last 6-9 months. The age and amount used are factors in the product’s longevity.
Do Dermal Filler treatments hurt?
The pain level may vary due to a few factors. It depends on skin thickness, pain threshold, and the area we are treating, but, in general, these treatments are almost completely painless. A small pinch is the extent of the discomfort.
We begin by numbing your skin before the treatment. The treatment itself also contains a numbing agent to add to this effect. First-time clients might find the sensation unusual but not painful.
What are the possible side effects of Dermal Fillers?
When administered by a trained and experienced doctor, serious side effects of dermal filler are extremely rare.
Some common side effects include swelling, redness and tenderness of the injection site immediately after the treatment. You may feel lumps or bumps in the initial stages. We can massage these out by the if you are not happy. These side effects generally last less than 14 days.
Rare side effects include:
Infection. This usually occurs immediately to 1 month after treatment. It can usually be treated with antibiotics, but the treatment will need to be dissolved in certain circumstances.
Delayed Hypersensitivity: This is a late-onset allergic reaction that can occur months after treatment. It is easily treatable and very rare. It often resolves on its own spontaneously. It can sometimes result in lumps called granulomas forming.
Tyndall effect: If a thick treatment is placed too superficially, it can create a bluish discolouration of the area known as the Tyndall effect. This is very rare when a proper injection technique is used and can be treated by dissolving the product with hyaluronidase.
Vascular compromise. This is by far the rarest of possible side effects and the most serious. If painful blanching occurs at or after the treatment, inform your doctor immediately, and they will dissolve the product for you. If you have any visual changes or eye pain, you should tell your aesthetic doctor immediately.
As dermal fillers aren’t technically a medical product, you don’t need to be a doctor to inject them. While side effects can happen in the most experienced hands, they are much less likely when you are treated by a doctor. Always attend a trained and experienced doctor for Botox and filler treatments.
Will I look natural?
Our experienced doctors will be able to ensure you achieve natural-looking results. The best way to do this is by taking a conservative approach to treatments. By starting slow and providing treatments over a few months, we ensure that clients are satisfied with their new look and don’t experience too much change too quickly.
