Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers are injectable substances that smooth out wrinkles and fine lines, adding volume and hydration to create a youthful look. These are synthetic versions of substances that are produced naturally by the body.

Here at ACM, we believe that prevention is the best cure. By starting early on your anti-aging regime, you can slow down the effects of time.

As we age skin starts to appear deflated and begins to sag. This happens because of the diminishing supply of collagen within the skin. Volumising dermal fillers give the skin back that youthful appearance of fullness.

If you start using dermal fillers in your 30s, you should never need a face lift. Not only are results more natural-looking, there are no surgical risks and very little downtime is needed after a procedure.

Dermal fillers come in different thicknesses and consistencies, each designed for specific areas of the face or body. Thinner consistencies and lightweight textures are best used in areas with more muscle movement or tension such as the lips, while thicker consistencies are used on areas with deeper creases or folds.

As dermal filler injections are non-surgical treatments, they can usually be completed during a single consultation session. Your first treatment will begin with a consultation with Dr. Targett to discuss your concerns and the look you want to achieve.

During your consultation, Dr. Targett will assess your areas of concern and review your medical history. While there are minimal risks associated with dermal filler, you are required to disclose your medical history before your treatment as factors like allergies, skin and neurological conditions, and certain medications can put your safety at risk and compromise your results. For instance, if you have been taking over-the-counter pain relief (such as aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen) or blood thinners, these can increase the chances of bruising.

Once Dr. Targett has confirmed your eligibility for the treatment, she will select the texture and consistency of the filler, depending on your area of treatment, depth of filler placement and the lifting and smoothing qualities of the filler.

Your treatment will only take 15 to 30 minutes, during which you will lie on one of our comfortable treatment couches.

First, Dr. Targett will clean your face to remove any makeup before applying an antiseptic solution to your face to kill any remaining bacteria, which will help prevent infection. She will then mark out your treatment area using a dermalight to avoid any large veins while administering the filler. This will be followed by gentle massaging and moulding of the area to ensure proper distribution of the filler.

After your treatment, you may continue to feel numbness from the anaesthesia contained in the fillers around your eyes, nose, and lips for 1 to 3 hours.

After the treatment

You will be able to return to normal activity right after the treatment, but you may experience some temporary effects from the treatment, such as redness, mild bruising and swelling. This should subside after a few days, but by avoiding alcohol and other blood thinners and refraining from exercise and other strenuous activities for one to two days, you can reduce the risk and extent of these after-effects. You should also sleep on your back on the night after your treatment to prevent the filler from being displaced and becoming uneven.

Depending on the product used and the areas treated, the initial results should be visible right after the treatment. But you will see optimal results in two weeks, once the swelling has subsided.

Dermal fillers are not permanent. Typically, they last between six to eighteen months, depending on the type of product used, the area treated and the patient themselves. Generally, the denser the product and the deeper it is injected, the longer the results will last. For instance, lip fillers typically do not last as long as fillers applied to nasolabial folds (the lines that run from the sides of the nose to the outer corners of the mouth). Some types of dermal fillers are designed to last longer but are usually restricted for use in certain areas such as the cheeks.

As the hyaluronic dermal filler is absorbed by the body over time, to maintain the desired results, you will need to have repeat treatments. The upside to this is that they are an excellent choice for first-time patients who may be unsure about having fillers or the look they are aiming for.

Another benefit dermal fillers is that their effects are reversible. If you have a change of heart, Dr. Targett can perform the procedure to partially or completely remove your filler.

Dermal fillers can be used on deep wrinkles that cannot be resolved with anti-wrinkle injections. These static wrinkles include but are not limited to frown lines, forehead lines, marionette lines, nasolabial folds, smile lines and cheek lines.

• Cheeks: As we age, we tend to lose volume in the cheek region. volumising dermal fillers can replace this volume or reshape the contours of your cheeks.
• Lips: Augmentation dermal fillers are a great way to replace volume loss over time, to achieve a desired lip style, or to create a youthful look by enhancing the natural shape of your lips.
• Tear troughs: Dermal fillers can address loss of volume under the eyes, improve the appearance of eye bags and dark under-eye circles.
• Nose: Reshaping dermal fillers are a great non-surgical option for fixing minor imperfections in the nose, such as asymmetry or nose bumps.

As mentioned above, dermal fillers are not a permanent solution to facial volume loss, fine lines and wrinkles. However, by adopting a few good practices, you can prolong the results of your treatment:

• Discuss your goals and desired look with Dr. Targett during your initial consultation. That way, she can select the best type of filler for your needs and formulate a treatment plan to maintain your results.
• Keep your aesthetic medicine doctor informed. Always tell Dr Targett the medications you are on, as some medications are contraindicated before having a dermal filler treatment and others may reduce the effect of the treatment.
• Cut back on alcohol. Alcohol causes dehydration, which can accentuate fines lines and wrinkles. By drinking plenty of water and using moisturiser regularly, you can keep your skin hydrated.
• Invest in skin care. Using SPF before going outside in the sun and a daily moisturiser will protect your skin and keep it soft and supple. Other treatments such as skin needling and Laser Genesis can improve the production of collagen in your skin, keeping your skin younger for longer.
• Schedule routine touch-ups. By having regular touch-ups, you can extend your results for longer intervals between major treatments.

Absolutely. Combining wrinkle fillers with anti-wrinkle injections can create a subtly youthful look while simultaneously balancing your features. This combination is often referred to as a non-surgical or liquid facelift.

Fillers can also be used in conjunction with other treatments like Factor 4, Laser Genesis, or skin needling to revitalise the facial area.

At ACM, we endeavour to make your dermal filler treatment as painless as possible. Most of our clients experience very little discomfort during their procedure since dermal fillers contain lidocaine (a local anaesthetic) that numb any discomfort immediately upon injection. However, an initial pinch is usually felt from the needle, which feels like a toothpick pricking the skin. If you are concerned about the pain, topical anaesthetic can be applied to your treatment area beforehand.

1. Modern Hyaluronic acid Dermal fillers are considered to be very safe.  Hyaluronic Acid is a natural occurring substance found in the skin.  There is unlikely to be any allergic reaction from HA filler injections or any long term effects such as cancer.
2. The most common minor short term side effects following the procedure are; swelling, bruising, redness, itching and sometimes pimple like eruptions.
3. More serious side effects are rare but may include; asymmetry, lumps under the skin, infection, loss of blood flow to the area causing skin necrosis, blindness.
4. Dermal fillers can be dissolved by using Hyaluronidase if you are not happy with the results or in the event of a blood flow loss.
5. Choose a doctor that is qualified and experienced in performing dermal fillers. Doctors should advocate natural looking results. Excessive use of fillers may cause stretching of the skin, disturbance of fat pads and some degree of irregularity of the face.
6. The dermal filler that is used should be listed with the TGA.  The TGA research and test all drugs used in Australia to keep Australians safe.
7. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. With the right communication between you and your treating Cosmetic Doctor you should be able to achieve natural, beautiful and safe results.

Contraindications are rare. To date, there has been no evidence of allergic reactions to fillers currently on the market.

If you have a history of normal wound healing, you should heal normally after getting dermal fillers. However, you should not have dermal fillers if you have had recent surgery or have any active infective processes occurring or if you are pregnant.

Side effects from dermal fillers are very rare. For those who do get them, the side effects tend to be short-lived and will wear off after a few hours. Most cases in which side effects occur are caused by improper injection technique or improper dosage. It is important to choose a doctor who is experienced and trained in aesthetic medicine to avoid these types of complications.

With that said, at ACM, we believe in giving our clients the information necessary for them to give their informed consent.

Mild to moderate side effects may include numbness, itchiness, bruising and redness and swelling.

Other potential side effects include injury to blood vessels, granulomas, nodules, bumps, cysts, allergic reactions, skin cell death, blindness and tissue necrosis. Dermal fillers causing blindness and tissue necrosis is extremely rare and would only occur if the dermal filler were injected into an artery. This is why cannulas are often used these days to administer dermal fillers as they cannot penetrate arteries and cannot cause injury to blood vessels.

Your dermal filler treatment will always be administered by Dr. Targett, a registered general practitioner trained in Primary Care Dermatology and Aesthetic Medicine. By having your procedures performed by the same doctor each time, you can expect consistent results and a high standard of care.

Dermal fillers do not migrate through the body after the procedure and there is no documented evidence that fillers can harm your baby in any way. This allows no cause for concern if you’re undergoing the treatment while pregnant. However, to err on the side of caution, it is best to avoid dermal fillers during pregnancy. Always inform your doctor before having dermal fillers if there is a possibility that you could be pregnant.

You should stop taking all blood thinners – including aspirin and ibuprofen – for 5 to 7 days before your procedure. Blood thinners increase the tendency of bruising during the treatment. However, you should consult your doctor who prescribed your medication before stopping your medication.

Some supplements also have blood-thinning properties and should be avoided several days before your dermal filler treatment.

After having dermal fillers, you are most likely to experience swelling under the eyes and the lips. About 20% of patients will have significant swelling after their treatment and the swelling will be at its maximum the day after their treatment.

Here are some steps you can take to reduce the extent of your swelling and ensure optimum results:

Dos:

• Ease any swelling and bruising by applying a cold compress to the treatment area immediately after the procedure.
• The day after your procedure, use a warm compress to increase circulation and encourage the swelling to subside.
• Keep your head elevated as much as possible for the first 24 hours after your procedure.
• Sleep on your back. Sleeping on your face can displace the filler and make it uneven.
• Cleanse and apply makeup to your face using light, gentle motions to avoid displacing the filler.
• Wait 2 weeks before returning for your post-treatment assessment of your results, as significant swelling may last up to 4 days and residual swelling,up to 2 weeks.

Don’ts:

• Don’t engage in excessive or strenuous exercise for one to two days following your treatment. Physical activity increases blood flow to the skin and can exacerbate bruising and swelling.
• Don’t take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, as this may thin your blood and cause bruising. If you are experiencing pain after the procedure, you may take paracetamol.
• Don’t massage the treatment area after the procedure, even though it may be sore. This may displace the filler and affect your results.
• Don’t drink alcohol for twelve hours after your treatment. This will help prevent any unwanted swelling and bruising.
• Don’t make excessive facial movements for the first few days after the procedure while your filler settles.

Dr Targett may also discuss other aftercare procedures at your appointment. Should you have any concerns following your procedure, please do not hesitate to contact ACM.