Dermal Fillers
Hyaluronic Acid

At RE Skin Clinic, hyaluronic acid (HA) dermal fillers are used. Hyaluronic acid is a substance naturally present in the body that helps support tissue hydration. HA fillers are temporary, gradually break down, and are dissolvable with hyaluronidase if required.

The skin is cleansed and clinical photographs may be taken. The treatment area may be marked before filler is injected using a needle or cannula, depending on the area and your treatment plan. Many HA fillers contain local anaesthetic (lidocaine), and topical anaesthetic may also be applied where appropriate. You may feel pressure, pinching or mild discomfort. Treatment time varies according to the areas being treated.

Dermal fillers can be used to treat the lips (volume, shape, border definition and symmetry), cheeks (mid-face volume and contour), nasolabial folds (lines from nose to mouth), marionette lines (lines from the corners of the mouth), jawline (definition, contour and lower-face proportions) and chin (projection, definition, profile balance and selected asymmetries).

Results are usually visible immediately, although swelling means the final result should not be judged straight away. As a general guide, results may last around 6–18 months, but this varies with the product, treatment area, amount injected, facial movement, metabolism and lifestyle. Lips and highly mobile areas may require maintenance sooner than structural areas such as cheeks, chin or jawline.

Treatment may not be appropriate if you are pregnant or breastfeeding; have an active infection, inflammation or cold sore; are currently unwell; have a known allergy to the product or its components; have had a significant previous filler reaction; have certain immune, bleeding or medical conditions; are taking medicines that materially affect treatment safety; or have recent or planned dental treatment. Suitability is assessed individually at consultation.

Please arrive with clean skin and ideally minimal or no make-up over the treatment area. Inform your practitioner about all medicines, supplements, allergies, recent illness, dental treatment, previous filler and any previous aesthetic reactions. Some medicines and supplements can increase bruising — do not stop prescribed medicines unless the clinician responsible for them has advised you to do so. Contact the clinic if you develop an infection, cold sore or dental infection before your appointment.

For the first 24–48 hours: keep the treated area clean and avoid unnecessary touching or rubbing; avoid strenuous exercise for approximately 24 hours; avoid excessive heat such as saunas, steam rooms and very hot showers; avoid alcohol where possible as it may worsen bruising or swelling; avoid pressure or massage unless specifically instructed; avoid make-up over injection sites for the period advised; and avoid other facial or aesthetic treatments until the area has settled. Temporary swelling, redness, tenderness and bruising are common.

Contact the clinic immediately for severe or increasing pain, unusual blanching or whiteness of the skin, mottled, dusky, grey or blue skin, unusually cold skin, rapidly increasing swelling, increasing redness, heat or discharge, or any symptom that concerns you. Visual disturbance, reduced or lost vision, severe eye pain, facial weakness, difficulty speaking or other neurological symptoms after filler are a medical emergency — seek immediate emergency medical assistance.