Dermal fillers largely consist of Hyaluronic acid: which is a sterile gel consisting of non-animal, stabilised hyaluronic acid and a local anaesthetic called lidocaine.
Hyaluronic acid is a sugar chain molecule. Which occurs naturally in the skin and throughout the body. As one ages the Hyaluronic acid naturally occurring depletes and causes the skin to loses its elasticity and laxity. Resulting in the formation of facial lines, wrinkles and folds, loss of lip volume and facial shape and contours including the chin, cheeks, jawline and the nose. The sterile gel (dermal filler) is injected into the skin to correct, enhance and rejuvenate the loss of volume within the skin.
Lidocaine is a local anaesthetic and antiarrhythmic drug. In dermal fillers, it’s used as a local anaesthetic to reduce pain and discomfort during the injection process. It works by causing a temporary numbing effect in the area where the filler is injected.
• Pain or stinging sensation when the injection is performed.
• Localized swelling, redness and or tenderness
• Bleeding at the sites of injection
• Bruising. Rarely, bruising may be severe and may persist for several weeks.
• Numbness or itching of the area following injection.
Common side effects are expected to resolve spontaneously, within the first few days of treatment. Whilst not expected, it is possible that reactions described may persist for longer than expected and may inhibit your confidence to attend work or social events. You are advised to schedule treatment with this in mind, allowing time for common reactions such as bruising and swelling, to settle.
• Infection
• Inflammation
• Skin discoloration
• Infection or skin discoloration may occur within a few days, or weeks to months following treatment.
• Allergic or sensitivity reaction. Symptoms include itching, rash, red itchy welts, wheezing, asthma symptoms, dizziness or feeling faint. Abscess formation
• Prolonged swelling which may occur early or present after several weeks
• Persistent lumps, nodules or papules
• Acne like formations
• A Foreign body reaction known as ‘granuloma’ presenting as lumps or nodules
• The blood supply to the skin may be interrupted by swelling or inadvertent injection into a vessel, causing pain, skin damage and possible scarring.
• Though extremely rare, transient visual disturbance or permanent blindness has been reported following injectable cosmetic treatment.