It is very common that when people search for the dermal fillers or lip fillers that they have a range of questions they would like answered, in our latest blog post we seek to answer some of the most common questions and answers about dermal fillers and lip fillers, we finish with answering the question about how long dermal and lip fillers last for.
What is a dermal filler treatment
As we begin to age our face looks more wrinkled as our skin loses its elasticity. This can result in the lines and wrinkles in the parts of the face which move more often, typically around the mouth, eyes and nose.
This is as a result of the slowdown of collagen production in our bodies, which begins in our late 20s. Collagen is a protein which maintains the elasticity of the skin helping it to maintain its youthful looking appearance and bounce back into shape.
Dermal fillers use hyaluronic acid, which is a naturally recurring acid in your body, with the primary function of binding water to help retain moisture. When hyaluronic acid is injected it helps to reverse this process and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
What is the longest lasting dermal filler
It is quite natural for the effects of dermal filler treatment to fade overtime, this is because hyaluronic acid which is injected is naturally occurring in your body and therefore gets absorbed, unfortunately the lines and wrinkles then reappear.
All dermal filler treatments should always be looked upon as a temporary treatment for this reason.
Is botox a dermal filler
This is a question we get asked quite often but the answer is, no. Botox and dermal fillers are often confused as they are both used in facial rejuvenation techniques. Botox, otherwise known as botulinum toxin type A affects the nerves of the injection site, reducing their ability to move, and therefore cause wrinkles. Dermal fillers on the other hand, smooth the wrinkles out by injecting into them.
How to prepare for dermal fillers
There is little actual preparation required. However, we advise:
- Consulting your doctor about stopping blood thinning tablets such as aspirin, ibuprofen, vitamin E or St John’s Wart. This can help to prevent bruising but please always consult a doctor beforehand and do not stop taking prescribed medications.
- Do not drink any alcohol for 2 days prior to treatment.
How much swelling is normal after lip fillers
Minimal lip swelling after filler injections is quite normal, this is caused by a reaction to the injection needle. This will normally subside within a couple of days.
Can you drink alcohol after lip fillers
Of course you want your lip fillers to last the maximum amount of time so people often ask questions such as can you drink alcohol after lip fillers and if so, how quickly?
We recommend avoiding alcohol for at least 24 hours after you have had lip fillers. This just ensures that you are accurately able to follow all of our instructions about keeping your heart rate low and avoiding inversion exercise. People that have had too much alcohol tend to forget these instructions which can then impact the length of time that lip fillers last.
How long do lip fillers take to heal
You should find that the healing process is very quick. Normally within 48 hours, swelling and bruising begins to calm down and you should begin to notice the new beautiful shape of your lips.
Are dermal fillers painful
You will always be given a local anaesthetic over the treatment area. This is in the form of a numbing cream which is applied over the skin. This just numbs the skin prior to having the full local anaesthetic injections. Once these have been injected you will feel nothing at all and be completely comfortable.
Can dermal fillers go wrong
The images you see on social media of people with huge lips (just do a search for dermal fillers gone wrong) and swollen faces is usually for one of 3 reasons:
- The clinician was not skilled when treating using dermal fillers
- The patient requested this look and the clinician complied
- The patient purchased the fillers online and tried to do it themselves
Unfortunately, the last option is becoming more common and people are trying dermal fillers themselves, this is highly dangerous and should be avoided. Most people will not have the understanding about the chemicals involved, so will not be able to tell if the fillers are doing the right job. If the fillers are purchased online, who is to say that what it says on the label is actually what it is in the vial?
The anatomy around your head, face and neck is also very complex with lots of blood vessels and nerves. It’s vital that the injections are placed in exactly the right place by someone that has had adequate training and knows what the results will be.
What happens when dermal fillers wear off
We will do everything within our power to ensure that your fillers last for as long as possible. We will also give you instructions on how to ensure fillers last as long as is possible. However, dermal fillers do wear off as the body absorbs the hyaluronic acid naturally.
When this happens you will find that the wrinkles slowly reappear and you will have to get booked backing for another treatment. This is typically anywhere from 6 months to 12 months after the initial treatment although some treatments last longer, up to 18 months.
How long do lip fillers last?
The various factors which govern how long a dermal filler lasts include:
- The type of dermal filler. Some of them are absorbed into the body faster than others.
- The site of the dermal filler treatment.
- Your lifestyle. If you are particularly active then your increased heart rate and metabolism may mean that the hyaluronic acid get absorbed quicker.
How to make dermal fillers last longer
To ensure your lip fillers last the longest amount of time we recommend that immediately after treatment we recommend that you take no exercise aside for walking for 48 hours. This should keep your heart rate under 100. You should also not do any kind of inversion such as found with gymnastics or yoga for the same period of time, however, always follow the instructions of a doctor.
It’s also recommended that you will avoid squeezing or massaging the area for a few hours as this could change the location of the filler and therefore the result. Your clinician will have precisely placed the filler in exactly the right place, so it’s best to not massaged the area too much.
Most dermal fillers will last at least six months some treatments such as Restylane can last from six months to a year.
