Frequently Asked Questions

The most frequently asked questions about aesthetic treatments.

How will I know a treatment is right for me?

I’m here to try and support you in that process by providing advice over a friendly chat so you can get a bit more information to see what options are available or to find out if the treatment is or isn’t right for you.

I am motivated by the needs of my patients, I give a friendly honest professional opinion. I’m not here to make my patients feel insecure or force them into a treatment which whey don’t need. I’ve experienced that side to the industry, it’s not my style.

I take the time to listen, so I can understand how you are feeling and am passionate about achieving exceptional natural looking results, while making patient safety my priority.

If you request a treatment that I feel you would not benefit from, I will explore your request and instead work closely with you to create a more medically appropriate treatment plan that you will benefit from.

Are dermal fillers safe?

Dermal fillers are hyaluronic acid-based fillers and have one of the best safety profiles of any injectable treatment, due to their biodegradable nature. They are minimally invasive and safe, if done by an experienced medical professional. As with any procedure, there are possible risks, the most common being post-procedure redness, bruising and swelling. All risks will be discussed on your consultation.

Do dermal fillers hurt?

I do everything I can to reduce discomfort and make the treatment as pleasant as possible. Numbing cream can be used before the procedure, as well as ice if required. Needles used during the treatment are very small in size. My experience and approach to patient care makes all procedures I do comfortable and safe.

Will anti-wrinkle treatments make my face look “frozen”?

Absolutely not. During the procedure, I choose very carefully which muscles to inject to prevent your facial expressions from changing or becoming “frozen”. The dose will also be tailored to your goals, meaning I can customise exactly how much movement you will have after the procedure.

Will I look “plastic” or “overdone”?

No. I am committed to achieving exceptional natural-looking results. During your journey with me, I will listen to your concerns and use my experience and medical knowledge to create a treatment plan that will suit you specifically. This means you will never look “fake” or “plastic”, while still achieving the results you desire.

Fillers come in 1ml syringes. Imagine how small 1ml is… around 1/5 of a teaspoon! The results we provide are subtle and will not change the way your face “looks” but rather it will enhance the natural beauty already present.

With Anti-Wrinkle injections we will start with the smallest dose for your age to target muscles. If you are happy with the results and level of movement then your done! If after 2 weeks you feel that you would like less movement and a stronger effect you can come back to the clinic for a free top up.

What are the benefits of anti-wrinkle injections?
  • It is a highly effective, safe and quick treatment to fix the ageing lines and wrinkles.
  • The treatment has no downtime and the patient can resume the routine work after having treatment.
  • Anti-wrinkle injections give great results when used in combination with other non-surgical anti-ageing treatments such as dermal fillers.
  • It not just reduces the present signs of ageing but can also provide prevention from further development of lines and wrinkles.
  • The side effects of the treatment are temporary which include swelling, bruising and redness.
  • Anti- wrinkle injections can be a great confidence-booster, enabling you to feel comfortable in your own skin.

Can you get addicted to Botox or Dermal fillers or do you need to keep getting it once you have had the first treatment?

If you want to stop at any time, you can. You will not go through an accelerated ageing process because you have stopped. In fact you will still benefit from the treatments because you will have delayed the formation of further ageing. “Botox  addiction” is purely a result of patients returning for treatment because they love the way they look after the treatment, nothing else.

What can I do to reduce bruising?
  • Certain medications and supplements thin the blood making bruising more likely such as:

    • Aspirin
    • Vitamin E
    • St John’s wort
    • Ginkgo
    • Evening Primrose oil
    • Garlic
    • Feverfew
    • Ginseng

    For 2 weeks before your treatment:

    • Avoid alcohol and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen and diclofenac, at least 2 days before your treatments.
    • You may take Arnica tablets or gel 2 days prior to treatment and continue it afterwards for 2-3 days.
    • Ice packs just after the procedure will reduce swelling and constrict blood vessels, reducing any further bruising.
    • You may also use warm compression after a couple of days if bruising has developed. This method will help to speed up the healing process.
    • Pineapple and papaya, topical and dietary vitamin C will also help the healing process as it helps build collagen around vessels.
    • You may also wear light mineral makeup to hide bruising and redness. However, it is not suitable to use makeup right after your treatment.
What are the worst complications of Dermal Filler?

Most dermal filler treatments usually have no side effects or risks. However, there may be initial swelling, redness and soreness that usually goes away on its own in few days.In case of bruising, you can expect it to take up to 14 days to heal. Therefore, we advise planning your dermal fillers treatment before an important event.

Uneven Results

Asymmetry during the procedure are avoided. However, an uneven or unwanted result can be corrected using more face fillers.

Bumps or Lumps:

Another rare side effect of face fillers is lumps or bumps. A firm massage during and after the procedure can smooth out their look.

If you continue to see these bumps, we may use the dissolving enzyme to break down the fillers.
Below is a list of rare but more severe side effects:

Tissue Necrosis

Injected filler can obstruct the blood supply to skin tissue causing ischaemia which can lead to necrosis. It may occur immediately after injection or hours later. Trained injectors are better able to manage such rare side effects.

Granulomas

These are nodules that may appear months or years after treatment, and they are more common with permanent fillers. They arise when the body reacts to the filler material by flushing it out. Corticosteroid injections or excision are usually preferred to treat granulomas.

Infection

As with any cosmetic treatment, there is always a chance of infection. It is possible to reduce the risk by cleaning and disinfecting the treatment area.

It is also essential to use sterilised equipment for the procedure.

Furthermore, we also advise taking antibiotics as soon as possible to treat the infection.

Scarring

Although rare, a scar can form if:

  • There has been any infection
  • If a person has a history of hypertrophic or keloidal scarring.

This information will be collected whilst taking a medical history.

Are Dermal fillers more/less painful than anti-wrinkle injections?

Dermal filler treatments may be painful for some people. However, the fillers usually contain an anaesthetic that helps to reduce pain.

Secondly, the use of a topical numbing cream can lessen the pain further.

Besides, different face fillers treatments need different injection techniques as well as time. Hence, they slightly take longer than a Botox treatment.

Could I be allergic to the filler?

It is very rare to be allergic to dermal fillers. An allergic reaction manifests itself as redness, swelling, and itching at the injection site.

You may experience more acute symptoms, such as breathing difficulties, if you have a severe allergic reaction. If this occurs, get medical attention right away.

Anti-histamines and steroids can help to treat such complications and side effects.

Can the filler move after its been injected?

It is essential not to touch, rub or massage the treated area right after your procedure. You must follow the aftercare guidelines to avoid accidents such as ‘filler migration’.

There are a few things that you can do to prevent such an event, such as:

  • Avoid lying down right after your treatment
  • Do not indulge in heavy exercise or workouts for the first few days.
Can the filler move after its been injected?

It is essential not to touch, rub or massage the treated area right after your procedure. You must follow the aftercare guidelines to avoid accidents such as ‘filler migration’.

There are a few things that you can do to prevent such an event, such as:

  • Avoid lying down right after your treatment
  • Do not indulge in heavy exercise or workouts for the first few days.
Will I be able to see the filler?

It is very unusual to be able to ‘see’ the filler. HA fillers are colourless gel and not visible when injected correctly. It may be possible to see the product as a bluish skin discolouration if the filler is injected too close to the skin. This can be managed with compression and sometimes an injection to break some of the product down.

Will other people be able to tell?

Usually, people ‘look better’ without obvious changes to their looks. Still, good practitioners will help restore and refresh your overall appearance. They will also ensure that the enhancements look natural and do not look fake or ‘too much’ to others.

What are the different types of filler?

The most popular fillers in the UK contain Hyaluronic Acid (HA). They are generally preferred because they are:

  • Safe
  • It helps to treat a variety of areas
  • Little to no risks and recovery period
  • Ease of administration

The various HA fillers differ in concentration, formulation and degree of cross-linkage. Such features affect their duration of action and the amount of swelling after the procedure.

Most HA fillers now contain lidocaine to reduce pain as well as the need for additional anaesthetic.

How will I look immediately after treatment?

The filling effect is apparent after the procedure, and the treated area may be red and tender with some swelling. As there is a risk of bruising, this may start to appear following the procedure. However, bruises will be more obvious in the following days.

Will my skin/lips feel different afterwards?

Once the swelling subsides, the filler takes 2-3 weeks to settle and feel more like the surrounding skin/lips.

Who should NOT use dermal fillers?

Avoid dermal fillers in pregnancy and breastfeeding. They are also not advised if an infection or irritation is present in the treatment area.