Dermal Fillers

Dermal Fillers – a revolution in aesthetic medicine

Dermal fillers are a gel-like substance composed of a naturally occurring sugar known as Hyaluronic Acid (HA). HA is found throughout the body in tissues such as skin, cartilage and bone. When we are young, the body produces an abundance of HA and this makes our skin plump, firm and vibrant. As we age, our body produces less HA. A reduction in HA makes our skin less hydrated, increasing lines and wrinkles.

There are many approved dermal fillers available in New Zealand. These products include Teoxane®, Juvederm®, Restylane®, Emervel®, and Belotero®. They are all made of the same ingredient, HA, however each type of filler has different amounts of HA and is manufactured using different processes which significantly affects the properties of each product.

Having a thorough understanding of the properties of the individual fillers is essential in order to select the ideal product for any given area of the face and for each particular individual. Careful consideration is given to the individual anatomy and the severity of the concern in order to choose the best product and injection technique.

For this reason, all dermal filler appointments should start with a consultation. Some of the areas commonly treated with dermal filler include lips, cheeks, tear trough, jawline, nose, and hands. These are very safe products when skillfully injected and the results are immediate.

How do dermal fillers work?

Dermal fillers are injected into specific areas of the face to replace volume that has been lost due to aging. Firm fillers injected deeply are used to replace deep fat and bony volume loss to restore cheek projection, improve the appearance of jowls, or widen a male jaw for example. Soft fillers are used more superficially to treat wrinkles, fine lines and folds, to volumize lips and treat tear troughs. HA fillers can also be used to change the shape of certain features, for example, noses and chins.

Other Dermal Filler FAQ’s

  • The treatment itself takes around 30-60 minutes, but prior to treatment there will be a consultation. During the consultation a detailed medical history is taken. Photos are taken and reviewed by us both. A plan is made and the pros and cons discussed. This is a very important part of the process and, like the treatment itself, should not be rushed.

  • The results are immediate and down time is minimal.

  • The results are long lasting between 6-24 months.

  • The cost depends on the amount of dermal filler used. I am a slow and careful injector and make the most out of every syringe.

    Please refer to the Aesthetica Price List for the unit costs.

RESTYLANE® Lidocaine is a transparent gel with 20mg/ml hyaluronic acid for the purpose of facial tissue augmentation for the correction of wrinkles and for lip enhancement. Restylane® is a medical device. Restylane® has risks and benefits. Do not use in patients with bleeding disorders, or in patients taking anticoagulants or thombolytics. Do not inject intravascularly, where there is active disease, inflammation, infection or tumours near the intended treatment site. Possible side effects are injection site effects like swelling, bruising, and tenderness and inflammation. Product and treatment costs will apply. Further product details can be found in the full product information. Healthcare Logistics, Auckland. Restylane®, Medical Device Class III, to smooth facial wrinkles and enhance lips by restoring volume and fullness. Restylane® has risk and benefits. For product information check with your doctor or from product details with the supplier. Click for further details. Galderma, Auckland.

JUVEDERM ULTRA® & JUVEDERM ULTRA PLUS® injectable gels are Prescription Medicines containing 24mg/ml cross linked hyaluronic acid. They are used for filling of medium size and deep facial wrinkles by injection into the skin and for creating definition and volume in the lips. They should be administered only by trained medical professionals. Talk to your specialist about the benefits/risks of this procedure in appearance medicine. Cautions: Use in an area that has been treated with another dermal filler. People with autoimmune disease; or who are pregnant, breastfeeding, age under 18; or have an increased susceptibility to keloid formation and hypertrophic scarring. Possible side effects: Injection site inflammatory reactions (redness/swelling/itching/pain on pressure); induration or nodules; discoloration; weak filling effect. If you have any side effects or concerns speak to your doctor. Note: Juvederm® treatment last from about 12-24 months. Allergan New Zealand Ltd. PO Box 1873 Auckland 1140, New Zealand.

BELOTERO® Intense Lidocaine is an injectable resorbable implant indicated to fill deep wrinkles and folds, as well as to restore and enhance soft tissue (e.g. contours of the face, lip volume etc. ). It is also suitable for correction of facial atrophic scars. The presence of lidocaine aims to reduce local pain associated with the injection of the gel and to improve patient comfort. Belotero® should not be used in pregnant and breastfeeding women, in young patients under 18 years old and in patients presenting a general infection. Precautions are active autoimmune disease, a history of severe multiple allergies or anaphylactic shock, a history of streptococcal disease, in patients pre-disposed to hypertrophic scars or cheloids, patients taking aspirin or non- steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines. A history of epilepsy, impaired cardiac conditions severe liver dysfunction or kidney dysfunction. Possible Adverse Effects, reactions usually associated with injections such as redness, erythema, oedema or pain sometimes accompanied by itching. Haematomas, swelling, discoloration in the treated area, allergy to one of the ingredients. Speak to your doctor if you have any of the above precautions or if adverse effects persist. New Zealand Medical and Scientific LTD, 2a Fisher Crescent, Mt. Wellington, Auckland.

TEOSYAL RHA® 1, TEOSYAL RHA® 2, TEOSYAL RHA® 3, TEOSYAL RHA® 4, TEOSYAL® PURESENSE REDENSITY 1, TEOSYAL® PURESENSE REDENSITY 2, TEOSYAL PURESENSE KISS ®, TEOSYAL® PURESENSE GLOBAL ACTION, TEOSYAL® PURESENSE DEEP LINES, TEOSYAL® PURESENSE ULTIMATE and TEOSYAL® PURESENSE ULTRA DEEP TEOSYAL KISS®, RHA KISS®, TEOSYAL® MESO, TEOSYAL® GLOBAL ACTION, TEOSYAL® DEEP LINES, , TEOSYAL® ULTIMATE and TEOSYAL® ULTRA DEEP are trademark of the firm TEOXANE SA. These products are gel that contains hyaluronic acid, and 0.3% by weight of lidocaine hydrochloride They are class III medical devices. Caution for people on blood thinning medicines. Local side effects: inflammatory reactions (redness, oedema, pain at the point of injection), haematomas, itching, temporary loss of sensitivity around the injected area, disorders of pigmentation in skin and hair, abscesses, indurations, nodules (possibly granulomas). General manifestations: immediate hypersensitivity up to anaphylactic shock, migration of the implant. Rare but serious adverse events associated with the intravascular injection of soft tissue fillers in the face have been reported and include temporary or permanent vision impairment or blindness, skin necrosis and stroke. Lasts 9 -12 months. Please consult your doctor pharmacist for more information. Please refer to instructions for use, local distributor. Healthcare Logistics, Auckland.

Dermal Fillers are a gel containing hyaluronic acid that is injected by a healthcare professional into or below the skin to smooth facial wrinkles and enhance lips by restoring volume and fullness. Do not have Dermal Filler injections in an area where there is a non resorbable implant or if you have irritated or infected skin, allergy to hyaluronic acid or other severe allergies, autoimmune disorders or hypersensitivity to local anesthetic or porphyria. Caution if you have a bleeding disorder, if you take medicines that prolong bleeding time, have had poor results with previous similar injections, have angina combined with rheumatism or a tendency to large scar formation. Dermal Filler treatments may result in some redness, swelling, pain or tenderness, itching and/or bruising which may last a few days. Inflammatory reactions can last up to two weeks in rare cases. See your healthcare professional if any side effects concern you. Exposure to excessive sunlight or extreme cold should be avoided until redness or swelling has resolved. Dermal Fillers are not recommended for people taking blood thinning medicines and they have not been tested in pregnant or breast feeding women. ALWAYS FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS YOU ARE GIVEN.