Dermal Fillers in our Bicester clinic

Hyaluronic acid fillers we use have been around since the 90s. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a naturally occurring sugar in our skin which binds water. Each molecule of HA attracts 1000x its weight of water which gives fillers their hydrating properties and voluminsing effect. Treatment with dermal fillers also stimulates new collagen and elastin growth helping to restore skin's elasticity and firmness. Dermal fillers create contour, soften unwanted folds and restore volume.

At REclinic, we use injectable temporary fillers to treat a wide range of indications and we exclusively use the FDA approved hyaluronic acid based Juvederm Vycross range by Allergan, the products which are known for their safety and efficacy.

• Juvederm Volift – works to correct medium to deep lines, with the aim of rejuvenation
• Juvederm Voluma – restores volume to the cheeks and chin
• Juvederm Volbella – works to subtly redefine and reshape lips and facial contours
• Juvederm Volite – for hydration treatments across the face, neck, hands or a subtle lip augmentation for those who want a reduction in lip lines without significant change in size
• Juvederm Volux – a sturdier product for use defining the chin and jawline

Teosyal Puresense Redensity 2 by Teoxane - specifically designed for under-eye correction and tear trough treatment

• We can achieve revolumising of areas of the face which lost volume as part of the ageing process
• We can volumise and enhance certain features of the face such as lips, jawline, chin
• We also use fillers for skin quality improvement because they act as biostimulators for collagen which makes the skin appear more luminous and healthier

This is totally depending on you and what results you are aiming to achieve. We will be guided by your wishes and you will have total control of how much volume you want to add.

Some patients only want filler treatment to help with lip hydration and minimise vertical lines without adding any extra volume. Others, will need multiple sessions for a gradual volume build up for enhancement of very thin lips.

Lips do tend to swell up and you will have a degree of swelling for about a week after the treatment. It is advisable to take some anti-histamines to control the swelling and make sure you plan your appointment carefully around your social life commitments.

Dermal fillers are classified as a medical device which means regulations around their use are much less strict. This means anybody can inject dermal filler whether they have any medical background or not and there is also a large amount of filler products which are not produced by reputable pharmaceutical companies.

For those reasons, it is highly recommended to choose a medically qualified practitioner (doctor, dentist or nurse) who will be using renowned products and will be able to deal with any complications arrising. We are only using hyaluronic acid based fillers at REclinic which can be revesed with an antidote enzyme called hyaluronidase. This makes the treatment very safe because we can break down the filler in a fairly short space of time should there be any reasons to do so.

No treatment is completely pain-free and injections can cause discomfort but it lasts seconds. There are many ways of minimising the discomfort:

• We can use a local topical anaesthetic to help to make you feel more comfortable during treatment
• Occasionally we inject dental anaesthetic
• We use extremlly fine needles and cannulas (blunt needle) where appropriate to do so, because it allows us to cover a wider area from one insertion point
• The filler gel fomulla comes with Lidocaine, a numbing agent, to reduce any discomfort that may be felt during treatment
• We can also use NUEVIBE vibration devise to ease the sensation and make cosmetic injections a near painless experience
  

Most patients are worried about looking unnatural and overtreated, and we are not surprised, there are so many bad examples of overdone lips and celebrities with 'pillow faces'. Modern techniques for non-surgical treatments has been developed to achieve very natural results making you look the best version of yourself! The trick is to understand ageing process and replace only lost volume – no more, no less. We often use patient's photographs taken when they were younger to help us to understand how the face has changed.

You will need a full consultation for your face assessment, comprehensive set of photographs and an in depth discussion about your treatment plan. With your safety in mind we provide suitable time to absorb the information provided and do not offer filler treatment the same day. The actual treatment takes around 30 minutes depending how many areas you are having treated. Results will be seen instantly along with some minor swelling and possible bruising.

Length of results depend on a number of factors but on average results will last between 6-24 months. This depends on the area treated and the amount and strength of filler used, it also depends on each patient. During consultation, this will be discussed in detail. Dermal filler treatments are reversible if required.

Hyaluronic acid fillers completely dissolve over a period of time.

This very much depends on what your concerns are and what are you trying to achieve. Generally speaking, most dermal fillers will last from 6 to 24 months before they completely dissolve. This very much depends on the type of filler and which area we treat. Lip fillers will typically need retreatment more often than fillers for chin and jawline countouring.

If you for example had filler treatment with a different practitioner and a different product was used, we would recommend six months before next treatment.

Yes, we can prevent lines from forming and becoming very deep an engrained in the skin. By keeping your natural facial contours we also prevent future skin sagging. Dermal fillers also stimulate collagen growth which acts as a matrix providing integrity, firmness and elasticity.

Hyaluronic acid fillers are reversible and will wear off completely with time. It is important to remember that new collagen formation will have a beneficial effect even after the filler dissolved.

Confusion starts when you hear people talking about the skin sagging and 'bagginess' after your filler dissapeared. This will only happen if the area has been overfilled and the skin was very tight for a number of months or years. Should this over-treatment happen the filler must be immediately dissolved. This should never happen with an experienced and ethical practitioner.

Nothing! With time, the skin will slowly return to its pre-treatment state. There will still be some newly formed collagen effect after the filler has worn off improving skin elasticity and firmness.

The minimum age is 18, however, it is very unusual to have any dermal filler treatment before age of 25.

Another factor is the aim of the treatment. Patients seeking anti ageing treatment usually start in their early 40s and carry on with a maintenance regime.

We also see younger patients looking for beautification treatments – cheeks, lip enhancement, balancing procedures or correction of skeletal discrepancy.

While complications are rare, they can and do happen. We have to expect complications such as redness, pain, bruising or swelling that lasts a little longer than anticipated. Sometimes we find little nodules of fillers causing asymmetry in the face, which require further treatment.

It is important to understand there has been more serious issues described like allergy, infection, skin necrosis due to vascular occlusion and in extreme cases blindness. Thankfully, these more serious complications are extremely rare. We will spend a lot of time explaining all risks and side effects associated with the treatment you might consider having and we will be able to advise you regarding how to minimise the risk of complications. You must always make sure you choose you aesthetic practitioner wisely as only medically qualified doctor, dentist or nurse have sufficient understanding of facial anatomy and a comprehensive knowledge of complication

Is there any downtime after filler treatment?

.

Due to the nature of the dermal filler, results are noticeable immediately following treatment, however these can take a few days to settle into their optimal effect. Some swelling and bruising is expected. The amount of swelling depends on area treated – lips and under-eye area are particularly prone to swelling which can last for one or two weeks which can be controlled by taking anti-histamines.

It is advisable not to schedule an important events straight after treatment. Optimal results can be seen from 3-4 weeks post treatment.

Complications can be reduced if you follow the aftercare advice:

• You should avoid applying makeup until the day after the procedure to minimise the risk of infection
• You should avoid physical activity for the rest of the day
• You should avoid taking Aspirin and Ibuprofen the day before and after your treatment
• You should not drink alcohol the day before and after your treatment
• You should avoid direct sun exposure

It is advisable to avoid taking Ibuprofen, Aspirin and consuming alcohol a day before your treatment. If you are prone to bruising, you may wish to use Arnica or Bromelain.

You should also avoid strenuous exercise straight before and after your treatment. Despite the fact that we are trying our best to avoid bruising it is sometimes inevitable and you need to expect some.

We are only using hyaluronic acid based fillers at REclinic which can be revesed with an antidote enzyme called hyaluronidase. This makes the treatment very safe because we can break down the filler in a fairly short space of time should there be any reasons to do so.

No, you can't. Simply because there is a significantly increased risk of you developing an infection. Even if a hyaluronic acid filler is injected under sterile conditions it can cause significant complications if placed in close proximity to a permanent filler or implant. As permanent fillers or implants cannot be removed and these infections are very difficult to treat we do not advise any dermal fillet treatment for safety reasons.