Facial Fillers

There are few people in the world completely happy with their appearance, and while we might be encouraged to accept ourselves as we are, that doesn’t mean we can’t have a helping hand to fight the aging process now and again. Wrinkles are probably the most unappealing thing about getting older; many will agree that they look much older than they feel, so it’s lucky there are cosmetic enhancements available to keep those tell-tale lines at bay.

What are facial fillers?

If you’ve ever looked in the mirror and thought your age was catching up with you, you can benefit from facial fillers. They are medically tested injections that can smooth out unsightly lines and wrinkles that appear all over the face. When the product first found a main-stream customer base, it was aimed at women wanting to fight the signs of aging by getting rid of wrinkles around the mouth, crow’s feet, and frown lines. However, as the industry grew, clinics were seeing more and more men requesting fillers to help with forehead lines, acne scarring and much more besides. The versatility and success of the treatment means it is among the most popular non-invasive procedures available in the UK today.

What are they made of?

That depends on which clinic you go to and what effect you’re trying to achieve, the results vary with different products. Most facial fillers are based on Hyaluronic Acid, a substance that occurs naturally in the body, it’s a type of lubricant that cushions the joints, and it’s also used to keep the skin moist. The Hyaluronic Acid adds volume to depressed areas of the skin and smoothes out any lines by revitalising the natural moisture that can diminish over time. Although some of the products may have different names, they will probably all be similar in appearance; a gel-like substance administered with very small needles.

What can they help me with?

The most common areas for treatment are; The nasolabial folds – lines reaching from the nose to the mouth, sometimes called ‘smile lines’. The glabella lines – ‘frown lines’ between the eyebrows. The lips – used for adding volume or changing shape.

Facial lines deepen with age and become more noticeable, but dermal fillers can plump and soften these areas to draw attention away from them. It’s important for surgeons to remember that less is more when administering the injections, most patients will be looking for a subtle, even look, that won’t immediately point to any kind of enhancement. Too much filler can leave the face looking plumped up and pillowy. It can be challenging to get the balance of effective and discreet just right, so if you think facial fillers could help you, make sure you do a little bit of research and find yourself a reputable provider, with lots of experience. The tiniest amounts are used during the treatment, in order to achieve the desired results without overdoing it.

Does it hurt?

The needles used to inject facial fillers are so tiny that most patients report feeling very little pain at all, but if you’re worried about it, you can always ask for numbing gel to be applied to your face beforehand, and then you won’t feel a thing. After one or two sessions, if you’re brave enough to go without it, you might be surprised how pain-less it really is. According to the saying ‘beauty is pain’, but in reality, there’s minimal pain, with maximum beauty at the end – most people would agree that there’s no need to suffer unnecessarily to look and feel your best.

Because the skin on the lips is much thinner than other parts of the body, there’s likely to be some swelling and tenderness after the procedure, but this shouldn’t last more than a day or two. Minor bruising may also be present around the injection sites, this too should be gone within a short time. Following the treatment, it might be helpful to apply ice to your face in order to reduce the swelling, but it’s not an invasive surgery with a long healing period, the idea is that it’s a quick, relatively painless procedure that won’t disrupt your general routine.

How long will the effects last?

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance, so the effects of the injected gel will begin to wear off after a few months, as the acid is absorbed into the body. This means you will have to return for further treatment if you liked the results, but it also means that you have the chance to discuss a different process with your surgeon – or choose a different surgeon – if you didn’t like the outcome. Facial filling is a temporary fix, but if used correctly and regularly, it’s very effective.

Where can I get them from?

Thanks to the popularity of fillers in this country and across the pond, there are numerous surgeries and clinics that offer the treatment. However, it’s wise to look into the background of your chosen provider before signing up – you could even consult with several places and ask around your family and friends to find out about their experiences. Your comfort and health are the most important things where surgery of any kind is concerned, so if you don’t feel that your surgeon has your best interests at heart, keep looking for one who puts you at ease and answers all your questions.  If you’re looking for a way to retain your youth and confidence, make an appointment at the Pearl Dental Clinic in London, their professional, friendly staff will be happy to discuss your needs.