Dermal filler treatment also known as facial filler involves a substance (most commonly hyaluronic acid) being injected with a fine needle under the skin. Fillers can be used as a highly effective non-surgical anti-ageing treatment as they work to:

• Plump up the skin and fill sunken areas (hollows)
• Smooth fine lines and wrinkles
• Tone and contour the skin

Dermal filler treatment may be used to enhance or define facial features such as lips or cheeks.

As the skin ages it produces less collagen, which is the protein which gives the skins its strength and elasticity. Lower levels of collagen cause the skin to age and develop wrinkles.

Also, with age there may also be a loss of volume in the face causing hollows and sunken areas around the eyes and cheeks.

Other factors that can contribute to skin ageing include genetics, excessive alcohol intake, smoking, stress and air pollution.

Dermal facial fillers are an effective anti-ageing treatment and can be used in various areas of the face to provide a youthful look. Fillers commonly contain a sugar called hyaluronic acid which is a synthetic version of what we naturally carry in our body. It works to repair damaged tissue and absorb moisture into the skin which restores volume loss, fills deep lines and smooths wrinkles and fine lines.

The area in which the filler is used will be dependent upon the individual person’s goals for treatment.

Fillers may be used as an anti-ageing treatment in the areas listed below by adding volume, plumping skin, smoothing wrinkles and fine lines:

• Marionette lines – lines running from the corners of the mouth to chin.
• Nasolabial lines – deep creases that run from the corners of the nose to the corners of the mouth.
• Smokers’ lines (also known as lipstick lines) – vertical lines on the lips which can occur as a result of age, sun damage or recurrent pursing of the lips. They can appear even if you have never smoked before.
• Dermal fillers may be used in the areas listed below to enhance features by adding volume and fullness:

Lips – fillers can be injected into the lips to add volume and plumpness whilst redefining the shape of the lips. Fillers are designed to provide enhancement in a natural looking way.
Cheeks – fillers may be injected around the cheekbone area to add volume and lift the cheeks giving them a more defined look. As we age volume loss can leave the cheek area looking flatter and less defined. Fillers work to restore the volume, providing a fuller, more youthful face. Higher cheekbones are considered highly attractive and therefore this treatment may be effective for those looking to enhance their existing look.
Bridge of the nose (also known as a non-surgical nose job) – fillers can be used to contour the nose, restructure nostril shape, correct asymmetry and smooth out bumps. The aim of treatment is to improve the overall profile of the nose, whilst maintaining a natural look.
Tear trough (under eye area) – loss of volume around the under-eye area can cause the appearance of dark circles and hollows under the eyes, making the individual look tried all the time. Fillers can be injected into the under-eye area to lift the area thereby correcting volume loss and reducing the appearance of dark circles, wrinkles and fine lines, leaving a rejuvenated face.
Jawline and chin – fillers may be used to enhance the jawline and chin to give the face a more defined and attractive look. A weak or undefined jawline shape may be a genetic trait or related to sagging skin associated with ageing. Dermal fillers may be injected to the jawline to stiffen the skin, in turn defining the chin and jowl area of the face.

At Skinnou we offer filler treatment for the following areas (to confirm with Kim) – link to prices page/section.

Fillers can be used for rejuvenating hands, which are one of the first places on the body to show the signs of ageing. The filler used in hands can provide long lasting effects for up to 2 years.

At Skinnou we believe in providing a high-quality service in line with the expectations of our clients. You will start by having a thorough bespoke consultation with one of our highly trained practitioners. The aim of the consultation will be to understand your concerns, goals and medical history. Following this a treatment plan will be recommended and you will be provided with all information required to make an informed decision.

Following agreement on the treatment plan the practitioner will apply a small amount of anaesthetic cream to the treatment area. Once the area is numb a small thin needle will be used to carefully inject the dermal filler under the skin. Following this the practitioner may gently massage the area to ensure the filler is smooth and correctly positioned.

Yes, dermal fillers are extremely safe to use when administered by a full trained practitioner. At Skinnou, all treatments are administered only by highly trained, fully qualified and regulated healthcare professionals. You will undergo a thorough consultation with our practitioners to ensure the treatment is suitable for you and is provided in line with your expectations.

Also, it is important to understand that dermal fillers contain naturally occurring hyaluronic acid which safely dissolves over time themselves.

Before attending your appointment for dermal filler treatment, you should:

• Avoid wearing make-up or fake tan to your appointment
• Avoid excessive exposure to sunlight for four weeks prior to treatment
• Avoid using products using retinol or ‘active’ ingredients such as salicylic acid for 48 hours prior to treatment
• Avoid having any other abrasive treatments such as laser, skin needling, waxing and chemical peels at least 2 weeks prior to treatment

The treatment may take between 20 minutes to one hour depending on the area(s) treated.

Dermal filler treatment is relatively pain free. There may be mild discomfort when the filler is injected. The area may also remain slightly sore and swollen for a short while after the treatment but it should subside quickly.

Where necessary local anaesthetic will be used to numb the area before injecting.

Side effects of dermal filler treatment are relatively mild and short term and not everyone will get them.

Common side effects include swelling, redness and discomfort at the site of injection.

Risk of other more serious side effects occurring are low when dermal filler treatment is provided by fully trained and qualified healthcare professionals.

Generally, there is no downtime following dermal filler treatment and you can return to normal activities straight after. The bruising and swelling at the injection site normally subside within a few days to a week depending on the individual, area treated and filler used.

Treatment effects are normally immediate; however, you may need to wait for a few days for any swelling or redness to subside before being able to clearly see the results of the filler. Results will improve over the following weeks as the filler settles.

At Skinnou, our practitioners we will endeavour to ensure you are well informed about what results to expect from the treatment during your initial consultation. Therefore, there should not be any unexpected results following treatment. However, if necessary, our practitioners are able to administer a solution to dissolve the filler immediately without leaving any lasting effect or damage.

You should be able to return to normal activities immediately following treatment.

To reduce the risk of side effects, you should take the following precautions after treatment:

• Avoid wearing make-up for at least 12 hours following treatment
• Avoid excessive movement or contact with the treated area for a minimum of 48 hours.
• Avoid excessive sweating or strenuous exercise for 24 hours after treatment
• Avoid exposure to direct sunlight and excessive heat (e.g. sauna or steam rooms) for at least one week after treatment
• Avoid taking blood thinning medication (such as aspirin or ibuprofen) for 48 hours after treatment

Dermal filler results normally last for around 6-12 months depending on the area treated and product use.

After 6-12 months the body will naturally dissolve (metabolise) and absorb the filler and treatment will need to be repeated as desired.

At Skinnou we only use high quality and fully regulated dermal filler brands including Juvederm and Restylane.