Your aesthetics doctor will most-likely advise you not to wear makeup on the treated areas for at least 12 hours after the injection. It is also advisable to reduce any extended exposure to the sun or go for sauna for about 2 weeks after your treatment.

Record the treatments you have had and when they were done is a good way to track your progress and chart your aesthetic journey.

Hyaluronic acid (HA) dermal fillers are smooth injectable gels used to restore or add volume to the face ^1-2. Some HA fillers can also be used for skin hydration.

Fillers vary in density (thickness) which determines which area of the face they can be used in to achieve the desired result, whether to provide lift or contouring, create symmetry, fill in lines or deep folds, or enhance a particular feature such as the lips.^1–3

Many dermal fillers contain hyaluronic acid, a synthetic compound that mimics the properties of a naturally occurring sugar molecule. HA assists in skin firmness and smoothness, by providing a kind of supporting network for important structural tissue components, at the same time drawing and retaining moisture to the area ^4-5. Over time, our natural levels of HA diminish, and dermal fillers are injected to fill wrinkles and hollow areas from within.

It varies from individual to individual. Results are usually immediately visible depending on the volume of fillers used.
When injected into the skin to enhance skin quality, the improvement in skin quality may take up to 2 weeks to become visible.

The effects of dermal fillers can last anywhere between 9 and 24 months, depending on the product that was used. Every brand of filler behaves differently due to the HA concentration and the different manufacturing technology. The brand of filler, the gel thickness, the facial area being treated and your personal lifestyle will impact how long the filler will last.

The type of dermal fillers that contain hyaluronic acid are usually well tolerated, however, as with all medications, side effects can occur.

Your doctor will discuss in detail what to expect from the treatment. The most common side effects from dermal fillers reported include: injection site redness, pain, swelling, firmness, lumps and bumps, bruising, itching or discolouration. In the vast majority of cases, these effects are temporary and should resolve within a week.

If you’re ever unhappy with the results from your dermal fillers, your doctor will discuss your options with you.

Along with following a detailed plan for subtle, balanced enhancement, you should also keep your expectations realistic.

Remember that you still want to look like ‘you’ - just a more refreshed version. Consider as well that there is a ‘wow’ factor that comes into play immediately after your first treatment. After a month or two of looking at your face each day in the mirror, this may wear off. It doesn’t mean that the treatments have worn off – it just means you’ve become used to your new look. Don’t be tempted to go back to your doctor and ask for more at that point. Instead follow the plan you have made with your chosen clinic and go for your treatment at the prescribed schedule.

To achieve a natural-looking result with dermal fillers and anti-wrinkle injections, the key is to follow a detailed treatment plan, created for the individual in conjunction with a skilled doctor, who assesses your face as a whole.

A personalised treatment plan can be gradual, with subtle improvements unfolding over a planned timeline that takes into account treatment aspirations as well as the normal ageing process. With natural-looking results, you will simply appear more relaxed, well rested and generally rejuvenated, as the products do their work to restore volume and fill or relax wrinkles and lines.

They don’t have to be. Your doctor can tailor a treatment plan that fits your budget. Often, in order to create a subtle, gradual change, your planned treatments will be phased with several months in between anyway, which is a great help with budgeting.

With dermal fillers, there will be a slight stinging or discomfort at the site of the injection, but this typically lasts no longer than 30 seconds.

Many commonly used dermal fillers contain an anaesthetic, which helps to alleviate any discomfort associated with the procedure. With anti-wrinkle injections, the sensation is more like a series of short ‘pin pricks’, and usually no anaesthetic is necessary.