What are Dermal Fillers?

Sometimes described as skin fillers or facial injections, dermal fillers are used in the field of cosmetic enhancement to get rid of lines and wrinkles that appear on the skin as a result of the aging process. This is a very popular treatment among both men and women in the UK, mainly because it is a cheaper, safer alternative to invasive surgery, that doesn’t come with an extended recovery period. There are numerous areas that dermal fillers can be helpful with, but the most common complaints are; crow’s feet (lines around the eyes), deep frown lines (between the eyebrows and on the forehead) and distinct nasolabial folds (the creases that run from the nostrils to the edges of the mouth – more noticeable when we are smiling). Dermal injections work by plumping up the collagen layer beneath the skin, which is what keeps the face looking healthy and youthful; as the years go by, collagen levels are depleted and the problem areas on the face may start to look sunken and wrinkly. Moisture is the key to maintaining a beautifully smooth complexion, and dermal fillers use hyaluronic acid to replenish the water supply to the collagen, getting rid of wrinkles in the process. The acid used in most filler products is found naturally in the human body, which is what makes this process safer than other similar techniques; after a period of about three months, the acid will be reabsorbed into the system, leaving no long-term effects behind. Patients who would like to keep their new look permanently will need to return for further treatment.

Dermal fillers are not just good for getting rid of facial lines, they can also be used to plump up the lips, to make them appear fuller and naturally youthful. In the same way as the skin, our lips start to thin out and lose their moisture as the years pass; injecting collagen or hyaluronic acid is the only way to turn back the clock

Where do lines and wrinkles come from?

How our faces age and change as we get older depends on various factors; how we treat our health, what sort of lifestyle choices we make, how much time we spend outdoors, how much sun we are exposed to during our lifetime, and what genetic traits have been passed down to us. Unfortunately, there’s no way to naturally avoid the wrinkly skin that might come from our parents or grandparents, but we can significantly lower the chances of developing unsightly lines by avoiding certain bad habits, such as smoking and too much sunbathing. The best way to stop wrinkles developing is to keep your skin moisturised and stay away from elements that will dry it out or cause it to lose its elasticity.

Are dermal fillers painful?

That depends on your personal pain threshold, but most people would probably agree that the injecting process is not excruciatingly painful, although it could be described as occasionally uncomfortable. The needles used are very small and they are only inserted under the outer layer of the skin, they don’t penetrate deeply into your face at all. If you are having your lips treated, you should be aware that this is often the most painful part of the process for most patients, simply because the skin covering the lips is thinner and there are more nerve endings closer to the surface, therefore pain is felt more acutely in these areas. However, you shouldn’t let the thought of discomfort put you off, there are various numbing gels and creams that can be used beforehand, on request, to numb your face and make the procedure less uncomfortable. Even if you don’t have numbing cream applied, you’re not likely to be in a great deal of pain during the treatment or when you leave the surgery afterwards, but speak to your surgeon if you are particularly anxious.

It’s also worth noting that there may be some side effects following the filler injections, although none of them are long-term or very painful. You may experience some slight bruising, tenderness, spots of blood from the injection sites, and general soreness around the treated areas; these symptoms are nothing to worry about, they should disappear after a few hours. Another point you should be aware of is possible allergic reactions; make sure your dentist knows if you have had any kind of allergic reaction in the past, they may discuss alternative treatment if they feel you are at greater risk because of your allergies.

Where can I get dermal fillers from?

Surgeries and clinics all over the UK offer this kind of cosmetic treatment, but they won’t all provide the same level of care and service as the top-end providers – like the Pearl Dental Clinic, which only works with highly-qualified, experienced professionals, to give you the best outcome possible. When selecting a clinic, you shouldn’t be swayed by how close they are to your house, or how low the costs are; what you should be more concerned with is getting the best quality treatment for a reasonable price, in a comfortable, safe environment. Because the facial injection market is not considered surgical, it is not regulated in the same way as other medical enhancements, which means that, in theory, anyone can take a few injecting tutorials and set themselves up as a provider. It’s not a good idea to put yourself up as a guinea pig for these individuals, you probably won’t get the results you are looking for and you could even be putting your health at risk by going to an unregistered, under-qualified person for treatment. The best thing you can do to guarantee great service and a desirable outcome, is to book with a dental clinic; the staff will be more familiar with surgical surroundings and they are likely to have received more comprehensive training, to make you look young and healthy, without overdoing it. When it comes down to it, it’s up to you to do the research, either online or in person, which clinic is going to leave you with a positive attitude towards dermal fillers; if you’re not sure about a place or person, don’t book an appointment, find somewhere that makes you feel at ease and can provide you with evidence of their work on previous patients.