A beginners guide to dermal fillers

A beginner’s guide to dermal fillers

By Dr Nina Sheffield, MD, BSc

Dermal fillers can help you look fresher, on your face and elsewhere on your body. If you’ve never had them before, my quick guide will bring you up to speed with what they are and how they can help you face the world with confidence.

What are dermal fillers?

Dermal fillers are aesthetic injections made either from hyaluronic acid (HA), a substance found naturally in the body, or synthetic substitutes. As their name suggests, they plump up and fill in, so are useful in filling in fine lines and wrinkles and adding volume for a more youthful look.

What are the main treatments for which dermal fillers are a good option?

Dermal fillers are generally used on the static lines in the middle and lower part of the face, as well as other areas of the body. Our most popular procedures using dermal fillers are:
Reduce nasal labial lines (nose to mouth) – also known as ‘laugh lines’, for many women and men, these are one of the most visible signs of ageing.
Reduce Marionette lines (from the corner of the mouth down to the jaw) – pronounced Marionette lines can also make you appear sad or negative, as they can contribute to the appearance of a downturned mouth.
Reduce upper lip lines (smokers’ lines) – the fine lines feathering out from the top lip can be accentuated by bleeding lipstick.
Fill in tear troughs – although not suitable for people with pronounced bags under their eyes, dermal fillers can make you look less tired by plumping up the tear trough area.
Cheek enhancements – as we age, we lose cheek definition; fat from the cheeks migrates to the jowls, causing sagging cheeks and heavy jowls, but it also makes nasal labial lines and the downturned corners of the mouth more obvious.
Hand rejuvenation – ageing in the hands can be clear to see as the loss of elasticity in the skin makes tendons, bones and veins more obvious. Dermal fillers can re-plump the hands to make them more youthful.

How long do dermal fillers take to work – and how long do they last?

The results from dermal fillers are immediate and last between 12 and 18 months. We only use Juviderm® products which are HA-based; the hyaluronic acid, which is produced naturally by our bodies, is slowly absorbed by it, so the effects of the dermal fillers gradually disappear.

In expert hands, dermal fillers can help you look fresher and feel more confident. Our list above is not exhaustive, so if you’re interested in finding out how they can be used for other treatments, we’d be happy to have a chat with you.

Book a no-obligation consultation to discuss treatment and other dermatology procedures with Dr Nina Sheffield

Call 01892 22 22 22

Meet the expert

Dr Nina Sheffield qualified as a GP before specialising in Otolaryngology (ENT).  For the last 12 years, she has specialised in medical lasers and cosmetic injections

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