Fillers
Young skin is smooth and elastic because it contains a lot of hyaluronic acid. As we age, the amount of hyaluronic acid in the skin gradually diminishes. As a result, the skin becomes dryer, thinner and more wrinkled. We use fillers that are a long-lasting- but not permanent- synthetic form of hyaluronic acid. When fillers are injected under the surface of the skin, the gel mimics the naturally occurring substance by adding volume to the skin and smoothes out lines on the face.
Different products are used for specific areas of the face. For instance, the product which will best be used to fill vertical lip lines where lipstick can “run” is different from the one that is used to flatten the folds which occur by the side of the nose and mouth. Other products are most appropriate for filling out the cheekbones or improving the contours of the lips. The choice for which product to use is based on individual treatment area needs, patient preference and injector’s plan of care, to find out what treatment options are available to you, book a consultation with on of our expert staff medical staff.
Dermal fillers can be used to treat many common concerns including:
- Volume loss due to aging (commonly seen in cheeks, temples, or lips)
- Fine lines (including smile & lip lines)
- Adding volume to top of hands to reduce vein prominence.
There are many specialized techniques that can be done with fillers, some of which are becoming very popular thanks in part to social media. It is important to seek out experts in these techniques and you can trust that our medical staff are highly skilled at doing these specialized treatments such as:
- Contouring” of the face (focusing on adding volume to the cheeks, chin & jawline)
- Soft Lift
- Liquid rhinoplasty
- Improving volume loss in under-eye area (tear troughs) due to aging.
- Improving loss of volume in earlobes due to years of wearing heavy earrings.
Dermal fillers are classified as a medication which is only available by prescription from a qualified Canadian Physician or Nurse Practitioner who has had special training. As a result, all clients need to see the consultant prior to having any injections done.
Everyone responds differently to filler injections and factors such as bleeding tendency, area being treated, injection technique and injector expertise can influence outcomes so it is difficult to predict exactly how you will respond. It is therefore extremely important to choose an expert injector who has the appropriate knowledge, skill and expertise to reduce risks of complications and provide you with the best possible results.
Some of the most common side effects of HA fillers, that typically last for less than a week, include swelling, redness, mild discomfort and tenderness at the site of treatment. We also recommend not having filler injections within 14 days of an important event (including air travel) as patients are more likely to experience bruising and swelling with this procedure
In rare circumstances, a blood vessel may have inadvertently been injected which could cause damage to the tissue or even tissue breakdown if left untreated. Our staff are able to address this extremely rare complication should it occur.
You should see results as soon as the swelling subsides after your brief treatment. HA fillers are hydrophilic- which means they are “water loving”- so we recommend drinking lots of water after your treatment in order to maximize results. Results can be seen immediately with full results achieved at 14 days.
The results will last approximately 6-18 months depending on the location injected and the type of filler used. For example, lip fillers wear off sooner, since we are using them so much! The recommended time between treatments is about 6-12 months.
You will be asked to complete a brief health history form which will be reviewed with one of our medical staff. It is important to tell us about any allergies, your past medical history, and current medications (including over the counter and natural remedies/supplements) you might be taking.
Your appointment time is geared towards discussing possible treatment options, reviewing budget, understanding risks & benefits, and obtaining your consent to proceed. Depending on time booked, you may also proceed with treatment but a consent form must be signed with a physician or nurse practitioner before treatment can commence.
Anesthetic cream or injectable freezing will be offered prior to treatment in order to ensure that you are as comfortable as possible. Many of the fillers used also have a small amount of numbing agent in them and patients often find the pain involved in the procedure to be minimal. The procedure requires about 20-40 minutes depending on the area and amount of filler used.
During the procedure, dermal filler is eased under the skin with a very fine needle to enhance facial features or fill wrinkles and folds. There is a great deal of skill and artistry involved in the procedure and no two treatments are the same. Most people are able to return to their normal daily routines immediately afterwards.
In order to minimize risk of bruising/bleeding it is best to avoid alcohol, advil, aspirin or any other blood thinning medications before treatment. If you are unsure about a specific medication or whether it is safe to stop taking, be sure to check with our team who can advise you on how to proceed.
We advise our patients after treatment to:
- Keep the area that was injected clean and avoid putting makeup on for at least 6 hours after treatment to guard against infection.
- Avoid, alcohol, advil, aspirin & physical activity for the first 24 hours after injection.
- Avoid excessive rubbing or manipulation of the skin as the gel is quite movable for the first few days after treatment.
For the first 2 weeks after treatment we also ask that patients:
- Try to sleep on your back after treatment.
- Avoid prolonged exposure to either hot or cold temperatures and prolonged direct sun exposure.
No, dermal fillers can not be used if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.