As our skin ages, the skin gradually loses its stretch elements (collagen and elastin) and its volume (hyaluronic acid and fat). Dermal fillers are used to help reverse the changes associated with aging. Hyaluronic acid in the skin is responsible for binding water and keeping skin moist. The water volume provides a cushion for the skin. Over time, hylauronic acid loses its moisturizing capabilities resulting in skin that begins to sag and crease. When dermal fillers or gels are injected under the surface of the skin, your own framework is strengthened and becomes more plumped. Dermal fillers also act to stimulate the body to produce collagen. Three to six weeks post-treatment the area injected slowly builds up collagen, gains more volume and unwanted lines and wrinkles gradually diminish as the skin thickens.

What exactly are dermal filler injections used for?

• Lip sculpture & definition
• Smoothing wrinkles and folds throughout the face
• Scar depressions
• Replacement of soft-tissue volume loss
• Deep folds between your nose and mouth
• Creases at the side of your mouth

Simply, dermal filler is a substance that is injected into the skin to plump it up, make it firmer and smooth out lines and wrinkles. It is highly effective and used by millions of people all over the world.

There is a range of dermal fillers available to suit specific treatment programs and skin needs. At Brisbane Cosmetic Clinic we carry a range of products. We use bio-synthetically produced non-animal products, which contain a substance similar to a natural chemical constituent of the skin. These products are far less likely to produce allergic reactions. All products used at Brisbane Cosmetic Clinic are TGA approved and all our professional staff are trained and experienced in their use.

Patient Journey

Before any treatment, you will meet with your Doctor for a consultation to discuss whether this is the right procedure for you. Your Doctor will take a medical history and will ask specific questions. It is important to notify your Doctor if you are pregnant, if you are trying to become pregnant, if you are breastfeeding and also if you are taking any medications. Your Doctor will also discuss with you your motivations and expectations. It will be explained what anti-wrinkle injections can and can't do for you and what type of results you can expect. Your photograph will be taken from different angles. These photographs are valuable for before and after assessments and long-term reviews.

The procedure

The areas to be treated will be cleaned with an antiseptic. To prevent infection it is important to remove makeup and to properly prepare the skin prior to injection.

During the treatment tiny amounts of crystal clear gel are injected into the skin with an ultra fine needle. A local anaesthetic cream is applied to the skin prior to injection to minimize discomfort. A local anaesthetic injection is required for lip sculpture and for areas around the mouth and nose. The gel gives natural volume and smoothes the facial lines and wrinkles instantly giving a younger fresher appearance.

The treatment session takes approximately 45 minutes, (at most one hour) and the results may last up to 9 months. There are some semi-permanent or even permanent dermal fillers, which produce long-lasting results.

Side Effects

• Some mild bruising may occur. These signs may take 2-3 days to vanish. The corners of the mouth tend to bruise a little more. Transient redness, swelling, itching or discomfort may occur. In the case of a lip augmentation, the swelling can be considerable for a few days.
• Occasionally some patients may notice some discoloration at the injection site. Typically, resolution is spontaneous, within one or two days of injection into the skin, and within a week after lip augmentation.
• Temporary palpable lumpiness at the injection site may occur.
• Joint pain or muscle pain or headache have been reported, but are unlikely.

Complications (What can go wrong?)

• Blistering
• Infection
• Cold sores. If you have a history of cold sores in the treated area, filler injections may cause them to break out again. Your Doctor will give you a prescription for antiviral tablets that must be taken before and after the treatment.
• Allergic reaction;
  Immediate allergic type reactions: Prolonged redness, swelling, itching or hard lumps at the points of injection. Sometimes they can last for several months or longer, but this is extremely unusual.
  Delayed allergic type reactions happen with a reported incidence of 1 in every 2,000 patients. Red lumps may appear underneath the skin many months later and are permanent in a small number of cases.
  In very rare cases (less than 1 in 15,000 treatments) granuloma (lumpy tissue), superficial necrosis (skin death) and urticaria (red wheals) have been reported. These reactions generally start a few days after treatment, but can appear after 2 to 4 weeks. They are generally reported as mild to moderate and self-limiting, with an average duration of two weeks.

Conditions that will mean you cannot have this treatment:

• Active infection e.g. acne.
• Known allergy to Hyaluronic acid.
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding (as there is no research data)

All side effects and complications of treatment should be reported to your treating Doctor.

Costs:
Cost will depend on the number of syringes needed to create the desired result. A quote will always be given at your initial consultation