In the UK, cosmetic surgery to the face and neck area is incredibly popular and the number of surgical cosmetic procedures increases every year. The increase in appeal of these kinds of procedures may simply be put down to popular culture’s acceptance of cosmetic surgery, or the desire of an ageing population to retain its youthful look.

There are however many patients who prefer a non-surgical treatment rather than a surgical one. In some cases, the desired effect may be achieved without surgery, although it is still very important to have all the information available before making any decisions. Being fully informed about the non-surgical alternatives to a face lift may help individuals to choose a treatment which they feel is best suited to their needs and expectations.

One example of a non-surgical treatment which may be less drastic than a full facelift is Dermal Fillers.

Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers consist of either a natural or a synthetic material which is injected into areas of the skin which appear to be sagging in order to re-plump them and give the appearance of a fuller and younger-looking face. Dermal fillers come in different thicknesses in order to treat a number of different areas.

In Hifu Skin Clinic in London, our clients use Dermal Fillers to:

Smooth the appearance of wrinkles and lines around the nose, mouth, cheeks, forehead and eyes
Add volume to areas such as the chin and cheeks
Alter the shape of the nose slightly
Fill in scars in order to reduce their appearance

Before being administered with dermal fillers, some health conditions need to be met. For example, those patients suffering from any auto-immune diseases may be unable to receive the fillers. It is also possible to be allergic to a specific type of dermal filler, and therefore it is sometimes the case that a skin test is carried out before the procedure is recommended. Once an individual is deemed to be an acceptable candidate for dermal fillers, the treatment can go forward.

In some cases, an anaesthetic cream is used to numb the site of the injection to prevent any pain. After the cream takes effect, the filler is injected into a middle layer of the skin called the dermis. Shallow lines and wrinkles are treated by injecting the filler into an area of skin which is closer to the surface, whereas for deeper lines the filler must be placed further into the dermis and is often required to be thicker.

It typically takes less than one hour to have dermal fillers injected and can hence be more convenient and accessible to some patients. The recovery time is often different for each individual depending on the type of filler used and areas treated, however it is usually predicted to be between a few hours and a few days.

Complications

There is some risk of having mild complications such as pain, inflammation and bruising when being treated with dermal fillers, although these often clear up within a few days. In a few cases, an allergic reaction is possible after the fillers have been places. These reactions may cause irritation and itching as well as visible signs such as swelling, lumps and redness. Signs of an allergic reaction may be present for a number of months but incidents of an allergic reaction are rare.

What is the Cost of Dermal Fillers in London?

Dermal fillers cost significantly less than having a full face or neck lift. However, the prices do vary depending on factors such as, but not limited to:

The type of filler used (For example, there are many different brands of dermal filler)
Whether the lines being filled are shallow or deep, as for deeper lines more filler will be necessary
The level of skill required by the professional who administers the filler

Due to the personal nature of each treatment, it is very difficult to put a standard cost on dermal fillers in London. However, it is estimated that the price of a single session can range from anywhere between £150 and £750.