If you suffer from deep facial lines or wrinkles, you might be surprised to learn that there is non-surgical procedure available that can help you with your problems. No one likes to look in the mirror and think they look older than they feel, fight the effects of aging and reveal the inner you, with a course of dermal filler injections.

What are dermal fillers?

More often than not, face creams and spa treatments just aren’t up to the job, and can’t provide the lasting results that you’re looking for, the only way to effectively smooth out heavy frown lines and wrinkles is to plump the skin up from underneath the surface – this is what makes dermal fillers so successful. Most dermal fillers are made up of Hyaluronic acid, which occurs naturally in the body and is used to lubricate joints, as well as keeping the skin moist and supple. Injecting this acid into deep wrinkles or hollow cheeks will smooth out any lines and make the skin appear full and youthful. They are very popular in the beauty industry, as both women and men attempt to look younger for longer.

What sort of things can they help with?

Dermal fillers are typically only used on the face, where the most obvious lines appear. There are several areas that are commonly dealt with during treatment; The lines reaching from the nose to the mouth, called the nasolabial folds, but also known as ‘smile lines.’ The frown lines between the eyebrows, called the glabella. The lips – either for fullness or for the small lines that can make the mouth appear puckered.

If you would like this treatment, it’s important that you approach a reputable clinic and hire an experienced surgeon to carry it out. Talk through your expectations beforehand, and make sure they are aware of the sort of look you’re going for. Most patients prefer a subtle, understated result, one that doesn’t make it obvious that they have had any treatment at all. This is achieved by only administering a miniscule amount of filler to the affected areas, too much and the face can appear swollen or ‘pillowy’. If you can, speak to some other clients who have attended the same clinic, or look for some information online. The Pearl Dental Clinic works only with experienced, highly-skilled technicians, enquire with them about dermal fillers and you will be looking and feeling younger before you know it.

Is it painful?

When compared with highly-invasive surgical procedures – such as face lifts, dermal filler injections are fast, fairly pain-free and have a much shorter healing period. If you’re considering one or the other, it’s worth noting that dermal fillers are not permanent and you won’t have to take much – if any – time off work for this non-surgical treatment.

The needles used to inject the solution are very tiny, thinner than a pin, but if you’re worried about feeling pain – or you just don’t like needles, however small – you could always request numbing gel for your face before the injections are administered. If you ask around family and friends, you will probably hear that there is very little pain in a dermal fillers procedure, and that the aftercare required is minimal.

It should be noted that treatment for the lips can sometimes be slightly more painful, this is because the skin is much more delicate on the lips than the rest of the face, so there may be some swelling or tenderness after the procedure. Some patients find it helpful to apply an ice pack to their face in the few hours after, just to reduce any puffiness or swelling. Small bruises may also appear at the injection sites, but they should disappear in a short time.

Where can I get them?

There are countless surgeries offering dermal fillers across the UK, it’s down to you to do some background work on your chosen clinic and make sure the surgeon is qualified to administer them. You may even like to attend several consultations before deciding which treatment centre you are most comfortable with. Also, don’t scrimp where your health is concerned, surgeries offering the cheapest prices might not necessarily be the best option – in fact, they rarely are. You’re not just paying for the procedure, you’re also paying for the skill and experience of your surgeon, don’t overlook that detail when choosing a clinic.

How long do they last?

Because the acid used in dermal fillers is found naturally in the body, the levels will start to fall again a few months after the treatment, as the injected amounts are absorbed back into the system. The effects will begin to wear off after two or three months, depending on how many times you have had the injections.

For some, this is a big advantage of the procedure; it’s not as permanent as a face lift and is much less risky. If you don’t like the way a certain surgeon administered the filler, you can always visit a different one for further treatment. It can sometimes be difficult to get the balance between effective and discreet exactly right, but as you start to build up trust and routine with your surgeon, you can be more confident in the results – and relaxed in the knowledge that you are not permanently altering the appearance of your face by resorting to drastic surgery. They may be temporary, but when used correctly, dermal fillers can be tremendously effective.