Dermal Fillers

Conveniently located to serve the areas of London, Manchester, Highgate and Birmingham

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A dermal filler is a skin rejuvenation treatment that works to fill in facial wrinkles and sagging tissues. Dermal fillers are one of the most innovative, non-surgical solutions available, allowing patients to feel like their most attractive and youthful selves. Of the various collections of these treatments, hyaluronic acid fillers are some of the most popular, since they contain a compound that is already produced in the skin. When hyaluronic acid (HA) comes in contact with the underlying dermis, it works to attract and bind to water to provide a plumping effect. When administered by a knowledgeable injector, the HA distributes evenly within the skin to create the most natural-looking volume possible. 

At Harley Surgery, you can inquire about these effective, sought-after treatments to help resolve your ageing concerns without any downtime. You can start your skin rejuvenation journey with Dr Riccardo Frati, an internationally renowned cosmetic surgeon and facial rejuvenation expert. 

To get started with your consultation appointment with Dr Frati, visit our contact page and submit your request, or call the location closest to you:

What to Know About Skin Ageing 

When we start to age, the skin can become thinner and wrinkled and elasticity diminishes. We can develop jowls, nasolabial folds, and sunken areas in the face where volume is lost, like the cheeks. The key factors of skin ageing are the loss of hyaluronic acid, elastin and collagen, the building blocks of youthful, taut, and hydrated skin tissue. Everything from environmental factors such as pollution, sun damage, and other lifestyle choices can all affect how our skin produces these components. 

As levels of collagen, elastin, and HA begin to diminish, the skin naturally loses its rigidity and develops static wrinkles, while repetitive facial movement can cause it to develop dynamic wrinkles. Both types of wrinkles require slightly different approaches for treatment; typically, fillers are more capable of resolving static wrinkles. 

Luckily, HA fillers Restylane, Juvéderm, and many others like these work to improve overall skin appearance. Studies have shown that because of HA’s unique properties (neutral pH and distinct molecular structure), it is capable of attracting and binding up to water 10,000 times its volume. (1) HA can be modified to become either more stable or more flexible, allowing injectors to administer different formulations to create a more dramatic result in one specific place or a more uniformly distributed enhancement. As it enters the dermal layer, it can also trigger the production of collagen and elastin fibres, too. (2) 

Depending on the anti-ageing effect you are going for, Dr Frati can correct aesthetic issues such as:

  • Sleep lines
  • Frown or glabellar lines
  • Tear troughs / Tired eyes
  • Nasolabial folds (nose to mouth lines)
  • Philtrum and perioral wrinkles
  • Volume loss in the cheekbones and cheek region
  • Wrinkles of the mouth corners
  • Marionette lines 
  • Smokers’ lines or lip lines
  • Jowls

Fillers can also provide augmentation for facial features you may feel self-conscious about, providing a way for you to feel more confident without the unnecessary hassle of surgery. They can:

  • Reshape the earlobe
  • Reshape the nose and obscure dorsal humps (liquid rhinoplasty)
  • Provide more lip volume
  • Augment the chin to exhibit more projection
  • Eliminate signs of ageing on the feet and back of the hands

Candidates for Dermal Fillers

If you are considering dermal fillers, you will need to undergo an examination and consultation with Dr Frati before any procedure. He will discuss all your concerns and examine the areas to be treated to ascertain whether dermal fillers would be the solution for you. He will also review your full medical history to ensure you are fit and healthy enough for the treatment. You will likely qualify for dermal fillers since these procedures are so minor and simple. Still, there are some exceptions; fillers may not be suitable if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. If you have a lidocaine allergy or inflammatory acne, you should also refrain from these injections. If you have wrinkles from facial expressions and no significant volume loss, you may benefit most from Botox. 

Personal Consultation

During your consultation, Dr Frati will closely evaluate your needs to determine what type of dermal filler to apply to create the most effective, transformative results. He will assess the severity of your ageing concerns and speak with you about which formulation would look most natural and appropriate for each specific area of the skin. He will ensure that you understand all aspects of preparation and aftercare to promote the best results possible. If you have any remaining questions, he will answer them thoroughly to help you make the best decision. Fillers are designed to enhance your natural beauty, not cover it, and Dr Frati understands this critical principle. 

To see the amazing effects that dermal fillers can have on your skin health, visit a Harley Surgery location, call us at one of our numbers listed below, or use our contact form. We cannot wait to help you attain the complexion of your dreams. 

Dermal Filler Treatment Steps

Following consultation with Dr Frati, he will devise a treatment plan- possibly in conjunction with other treatments- as part of a holistic protocol. First, he will cleanse the injection site, and he will mark the areas to be treated. He may administer several injections of anaesthetic or use a topical anaesthetic. Many dermal fillers, including Juvéderm and Restylane, now contain lidocaine, so there is no need for prior numbing treatments. After superficially injecting the treatment area, he will apply a cold compress immediately afterwards. The entire process could take anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes, depending on how much is needed and the size of the treatment area.

How Do I Take Care of My Skin Afterwards?

Dr Frati will advise you on the aftercare for your unique procedure, but general guidelines are as follows:

  • Avoid applying makeup for 12 hours unless you use clean, mineral-powder-based products. 
  • If you have had lip injections, do not aggravate the area by drinking anything too hot or cold. This can be dangerous since your lips will be numb. 
  • Use a cold compress as needed to reduce the mild swelling, redness, and any bruising. These effects are normal, but you can take paracetamol to relieve them quicker. 
  • Use a fragrance-free moisturizer or a skincare product Dr Frati recommends to soothe dryness and irritation. 

With hyaluronic acid, you will get to enjoy your plumping results right away, but it will take a few days for any residual swelling to calm down. If you feel any small bumps accumulating under the treatment area, gently massage them daily; these will subside with time. You should refrain from any abrasive, harsh products or rubbing the injection sites until your skin feels back to normal. 

How Long Will the Results Last? 

dermal fillers, women, harley surgery, Dr Riccardo Frati, London, Manchester, Highgate, Birmingham

Modern dermal fillers- though temporary- do tend to last longer than previously developed products; you can sustain results for anywhere from 6 to 24 months. The longevity of the results varies depending on the individual patient, the product used, and the specific treatment areas. Dr Frati will manage your expectations and will advise on how long you should wait before coming for treatment again.

Corresponding & Complementary Procedures 

Botox

Botox is an injectable treatment, but it is not a dermal filler. This injection- made from botulinum toxin- enters the facial muscle, not the skin. Because of this property, it is classified as a neuromodulator, a substance that alters muscle functioning. Once a small amount enters the appropriate muscle, it temporarily blocks acetylcholine and stops contractions from creating overlying wrinkles. Botox is best for patients with wrinkles related to repetitive facial movements, but it does not have any volumizing effect the way that fillers do. 

Aside from its cosmetic benefits, Botox can help patients recover from muscle spasms, strabismus (an eye alignment condition), chronic migraines, and even unwanted, excessive sweating. (3)

Cost of Dermal Fillers in London 

The total cost of your dermal filler treatment will depend on the number of injections needed, the specific formulation you choose, complementary procedures, and any follow-up appointments you schedule at Harley Surgery. Dr Frati will be transparent with you and provide you with a cost estimate during your first appointment with him. Before considering this treatment, you can take a look through our blog to get a more comprehensive idea of what other rejuvenating surgical and non-surgical methods we offer. No matter your goals, Dr Frati only focuses on implementing the safest methods and aftercare to help you find satisfactory, excellent results you can feel proud of. 

References

  1. Marinho A, Nunes C, Reis S. Hyaluronic Acid: A Key Ingredient in the Therapy of Inflammation. Biomolecules. 2021;11(10):1518. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/biom11101518 
  2. Peng JH, Peng PHL. HA Filler Injection and Skin Quality–Literature Minireview and Injection Techniques. Indian Journal of Plastic Surgery: Official Publication of the Association of Plastic Surgeons of India. 2020;53(2):198-206. doi:https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0040-1715545 
  3. Padda IS, Tadi P. Botulinum Toxin. PubMed. Published 2022. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557387/#:~:text=Botulinum%20toxin%20is%20a%20medication