Dermal Fillers – Restylane, Aquamid, Prevelle Silk, Revanesse, Hyacorp H, Macrolane
Dermal fillers are frequently used in our practice for volume restoration for face and body. For the face, they are used to fill out the lips, and are also highly successful in reducing crows’ feet, wrinkles around the lips, nose and mouth, and lines on the cheeks and forehead. They can also plump out hollow cheeks, reshape the chin or nose bridge and tip, or fill acne scars. They are injected through a fine needle and during the procedure, you can decide together with Dr Chan, in front of the mirror, what the final cosmetic result should be. For the body, fillers are used to contour and enhance breast and buttock shape as well as to fill out post liposuction irregularities. The fillers we use are either FDA-approved or are CE-marked.
Pre procedure Information
How Long Does It Last?
Durability of results depends on brand and type of filler chosen. A rough guide is as follows:
Hyaluronic Acid Filler (Restylane, Prevelle Silk, Revanesse, HyaCorp H, Macrolane) – 6 months to 1 year
Hydrophilic polyacrylamide gel/ Aquamid) – 5 to 10 years
Duration also depends on many factors, such as skin type, lifestyle, age, the degree of perfection demanded by the patient and the injection technique of the practitioner.
Procedures for face like nose and lip augmentation etc. take about 15 minutes, while procedures for body including breast augmentation take about 30 minutes.
What do I need to do
Come in for a no-obligation, free consultation at our clinic.
Am I suitable
During the consultation, the doctor will assess you for suitability for the treatment and make his recommendations.
How long will I need to take off work
This procedure is classed an in-office procedure with no downtime. Patients can return to normally scheduled activities immediately. Please note however, that body reshaping procedures might take slightly longer than facial augmentation procedures but patients should still be able to return to work and normal activities within the same or next day.
Will I need Someone to Arrange accompanied Transport home
Not necessary unless in the case of body shaping procedures where a sedative may be used.
About The Procedure
After discussion with Dr Chan about the areas to be augmented and what we are trying to achieve in terms of results, the area will be cleaned, prepped and numbed with local anesthesia if necessary or iced to reduce sensation if the treatment area is small. The filler of choice will be injected and molded by Dr Chan. The results are visible immediately, with the full effect showing once any swelling and bruising has subsided. For the one-year filler, repeat treatments are needed every six to nine months to maintain the appearance.
About the products
· Revanesse (CE Marked)
Revanesse has the highest concentration of Hyaluronic acid (HA) currently available on the market. This is the only filler that will hydrate and revitalize the skin due to the large concentration of both cross-linked and non-cross linked Hyaluronic acid in the products.
· Aquamid (CE Marked)
AQUAMID (polyacrylamide) is a hydrogel, making it a dynamic implant with a constant exchange of water molecules between the gel and surrounding tissue. It is non-immunogenic, non-allergenic, atoxic, biocompatible, long-lasting, immediate in effect and simple to use. AQUAMID is a semi-permanent filler.
· Juvéderm (FDA Approved)
Juvéderm® is a smooth consistency gel made of hyaluronic acid—a naturally occurring substance in your skin that helps to add volume and hydration. It is the only HA filler approved by the FDA to last up to one year.
· Prevelle Silk (FDA Approved)
Prevelle Silk was the first hyaluronic acid product on the market to contain lidocaine, a local anesthetic to ensure measurably less uncomfortable procedures. It is especially useful for sensitive areas like the lips and great for patients with a low pain threshold.
· Restylane (FDA Approved)
Restylane (hyaluronic acid), a soft tissue filler approved by the FDA to treat facial wrinkles. Restylane is an injectable gel that acts as a filler to remove the wrinkle, producing instantaneous results.
· HyaCorp H (CE Marked)
HYAcorp is a cross-linked hyaluronic acid filler that is intended to be used for volume restoration and contouring of body surfaces. Body shaping with HYAcorp means that the bottom and other body parts can be filled out in a natural manner. HYAcorp is used the shaping of the décolletage, amongst other things. The gel is injected deep into the skin and lifts the tissue in a natural way.
· Macrolane (CE Marked)
Macrolane was the first body shaping product using hyaluronic acid. The injectable gel is excellent for volume restoration and contouring of body surfaces. The most common area for which Macrolane is currently being used is for non-surgical breast augmentation.
Post Procedure & Recovery
There may be slight bleeding where the needle was inserted, plus on occasion, mild bruising or redness which will disappear in a few hours or days. For facial fillers, a review and a top-up session will be booked one week later to ensure beautiful, balanced results. For body shaping procedures, the patient will need to come back the next day for a routine dressing change over the injection site and will be reviewed at the one week, one month and 3 month mark.
Will There be Any Pain/Discomfort?
For facial augmentation procedures, discomfort is very slight and can be limited with numbing of the treatment site with the application of an ice pack (which will also limit bruising) or a numbing injection or cream. For breast enhancement procedures, painkillers and a local anesthetic are usually used along with a mild sedative.
What Activities am I allowed To do
You can return to your normally scheduled activities immediately after the procedure.
What should I avoid
For breast enhancement procedures, please avoid exercise for 2 to 4 weeks and do wear a comfortable and supportive sports bra ideally for a month after the procedure. For all filler procedures, please avoid taking any blood thinners or medications like aspirin which can heighten the chance of bruising a week before and after the procedure. Avoid swimming for 1 to 2 days after the procedure for facial procedures and at least a week for breast augmentation.
Potential risk and complications
Bruising
Bruising is normal as with any type of injection, but not all that common given that there is an entire network of blood vessels underlying the skin on your face. Should any bruising occur, it is likely to resolve within a couple of days. For the breast enhancement procedure, a feeling of engorgement is typical during the first few days to a week, after which discomfort gradually diminishes.
NumbNess
Feelings of numbness are unusual unless a local anesthetic has been used. In the latter case, the numbness should fade within a day or two.
Additional FAQ
FAQ1 will the filler migrate from the injection site?
Answer 1 Migration of filler from injection site is rare and unlikely if care is taken not to massage or squeeze the treated areas within the first week of the procedure.