Injectable fillers restore volume to the face, creating a more youthful appearance
Non-surgical treatments can be used alone or to enhance the results of your cosmetic surgery. Skin treatments, skin care, facial fillers and muscle relaxing injections are all effective and less invasive techniques of improving the quality of your skin, smoothing wrinkles and enhancing the shape of your face.
Ageing occurs at all layers of our face- our bones, ligaments, muscles, fat and skin all change with time. Non-surgical treatments can gently address all of these areas. Fillers aim specifically to restore volume and shape to the face, muscle relaxant injections help to efface wrinkles and delay further wrinkles from forming and topical skin products aim to improve the colour, hydration and feel of our skin.
Facial fillers
Only fillers formulated from completely natural hyaluronic acid gel are used at Southern Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. Hyaluronic acid naturally occurs in our skin and the connective tissues of our bodies. Used since the 1970s for medical purposes, hyaluronic acid injections add small amounts of volume to fill wrinkles, or larger amounts to fill the hollows in our faces that occur with ageing. Injected hyaluronic acid has also been found to improve the texture and hydration of skin.
Facial fillers are most effective in treating deep wrinkles
- in between the eyebrows
- above the upper lip
- around the mouth (nasolabial)
- around the chin (marionette)
Facial fillers are also useful in restoring volume to
- the tear trough (hollow between the lower eyelid and cheek)
- thinned lips
- sunken cheeks
- some scars
What does the procedure involve?
A consultation with one of our Clinical Nurse Consultant, Shanne Taylor RN in conjunction with one of our surgeons, will determine the most appropriate formulation of hyaluronic acid, dose (volume to be used) and areas to be targeted. Following this, the body area can be numbed with topical or injected local anaesthetic. The hyaluronic acid is prepackaged as a clear, colourless gel in small, sterile syringes. This is injected into the areas of concern. After the injection, the area will appear slightly red and swollen. In most people, this resolves over the next 24 hours.
Do I need to take time off for filler injections?
It is possible to return to work on the same day as the procedure. We can apply makeup to your skin after your procedure to help camouflage any redness you have after the injection.
What should I do to prepare for the procedure?
It is a good idea to avoid medications or foods that increase your risk of bruising for one week before an injectables treatment. We suggest avoiding anti inflammatory medications eg aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, fish oil and oily fish. Try to place your appointment at a calm point in your day and week so that you are not time pressured and can enjoy your time in our clinic.
How long does it take to have injectables?
A new consultation, plan and the procedure can take up to one hour. Follow up consultations will take fifteen minutes.
Can I combine filler injections with other procedures?
Yes, our Nurse Shanne Taylor will discuss what other injectables, peels or procedures can also be safely performed during your filler appointment.
Do I need to avoid any activities after filler injections?
It is best to take it easy after your injectables procedure. Increased blood flow to your face as a result of exercise can increase inflammation and swelling. Contact sports or pressure on the face can displace your filler as it heals and settles into its new location.
How will I look after the procedure?
The result from fillers is instant and you can tailor make your desired result during your injectables procedure. Our nurse, Shanne Taylor RN, will give you a mirror to check your result during your procedure so that you can direct how much filler you would like to use. Most people have small pin point pink spots at the site of the injection entry point following the procedure. These pass after a few hours and can be covered with makeup. Some people bruise after injectables, and our advice is to space your procedure at least two weeks from any important social functions. The filler will absorb water around it in the first 48 hours. Do not be concerned if you appear “overfilled” during this time, as the result will settle and improve over the next week.
Are the changes permanent?
Hyaluroinc acid is a natural product. The body degrades the gel, in the same way it degrades your own hyaluronic acid, over a period of 6- 24months. While rarely required, it is possible to reverse the injection with hyaluronidase (the enzyme which breaks down hyaluronic acid in our bodies).
Can I have permanent fillers?
If you like the result of your fillers but would prefer to avoid regularly top up’s, then it is possible to use your own fat (fat graft) to restore volume to your face. Fat grafting is done in hospital using sterile technique. It is a day surgery procedure that involves harvesting your fat from your tummy, hips or thighs, purifiying this fat and then injecting small, precise amounts into your face. Fat is thicker than hyaluronic acid and therefore cannot be used to plump up fine lines or areas that have very thin skin eg lower eyelid.
Who should inject muscle relaxing injections or fillers?
Muscle relaxing injections and filler injections are medical procedures which should only be performed by experienced and qualified medical doctors or by a registered nurse under the supervision of a doctor. As with any medical procedure, there are potential risks with injectable treatments. At Southern Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, we will clearly explain the benefits and risks of any procedure that is proposed to you. We also know how to manage any minor or rare and serious complications of the procedures we offer. Our surgeons and our nurse, Shanne Taylor, have all been trained in the use of injectables and continue to attend regular courses to update their knowledge and skills. Dr Amira Sanki is also a course instructor at the ASAPS Non-Surgical Symposium cadaver workshop.