FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

A protein, injected in the face to stop certain muscles moving, thus improving lines and wrinkles. Different companies produce variations of this product and it is marketed under different names, e.g. Botox®, Azzalure®, Dysport®, Xeomin®.

They are among the safest and most popular cosmetic treatments. Side effects are rarely serious and always temporary.

Dermal fillers are basically products placed under the skin to prop it up or to replace lost volume. They can significantly improve the appearance of deep lines and wrinkles and can also be used to shape, sculpt or hydrate the skin. There are various types of products available which include permanent, semi-permanent or non permanent fillers.

The popular non permanent fillers eg hyaluronic acid fillers, most closely resemble the skin’s hyaluronic acid which is lost with ageing, sun and smoking damage. As such they are the safest of the fillers as the body is least likely to react to them.

If pregnant or breast feeding both botulinum toxin and dermal fillers are not recommended.

Antiwrinkle injections ( botulinum ) tend to last between 2-6months (average 3months) in most clients.

Dermal fillers can last from 3-9 months in the lips or 6-12 months in other areas. The longevity of dermal fillers is dependant on the area treated, the volume structure and thickness of the product used, and is also affected by factors within the individual, including lifestyle.

Allergies to antiwrinkle injections and hyaluronic acid dermal fillers are extremely rare. Nevertheless, after a free consultation, it may be appropriate in certain clients to offer a patch test if you are considered at risk.

With antiwrinkle injections it is recommended to wait for at least 3 months between treatments.

Dermal filler treatments can be done anytime depending on the desired effect. A client may choose to wait for the product to completely resolve or choose to regularly top up the treatment.

Most patients tolerate antiwrinkle injections (botulinum) without any anaesthetic as the needles used are very fine, however if you are still concerned, please advise us and we can arrange a longer appointment to allow for numbing cream to take effect.

Dermal filler injections can be performed with a needle or a blunt cannula depending on the treatment. Where possible we use a blunt cannula as this significantly reduces the risk of bruising. Injections with a needle into the sensitive lip or top lip are the treatment clients fear the most although we find most patients are very happy with the combination of numbing cream, and local anaesthetic within the product which significantly minimise the discomfort of these injections.

The risks of side effects can vary depending on the areas treated, the doses used or the injection technique used. Clients are fully consented and have every opportunity to ask questions prior to the treatment.

Common side effects (<10%) may include headaches, drooping eyelid, skin redness localised muscle weakness and face pain.

Uncommon side effects (<1%) may include infection, anxiety, numbness , dizziness, inflammation of the eyelid, eye pain, visual disturbance, nausea, dry mouth, skin tightness, swelling, sensitivity to light, itching, dry skin, muscle twitching, flu like syndrome, lack of strength, fever.

Side effects are unlikely to occur if the person providing the service is skilled and experienced, and has a good understanding of the products used and the anatomy of the area that they are injecting.

This is unlikely to occur if the person providing the service is skilled and experienced, and has a good understanding of the anatomy of the area that they are injecting.

The risks of side effects can vary depending on the areas treated, the volume of product used or the injection technique used. Clients are fully consented and have every opportunity to ask questions prior to the treatment.

Bruising, visible or palpable filler bumpiness, asymmetry, over or under-correction, blueish discolouration, migration of filler, swelling, redness, darkening or lightening of skin, infection (including triggering cold sore reoccurrence), skin or tissue damage due to occlusion of blood vessels, blindness, allergic reactions, scarring.

Complications are unlikely to occur if the person providing the service is skilled and experienced, and has a good understanding of the products used and the anatomy of the area that they are injecting.

We treat clients from the age of 21 years when appropriate.

There is no antidote for the antiwrinkle injections, and as such it is safest to be cautious at the first visit. This is why a free top up at 2 weeks is offered, in order to ensure the best results are achieved in the safest way.

There is an antidote to the hyaluronic acid non permanent dermal fillers called hyaluronidase which when administered, will dissolve any unwanted product.

These antiwrinkle injections tend to start to work after 5-7 days and can take as much as 14 days to reach full effect. This should be taken into account when planning to have the treatment before a big event.

These dermal filler products are fairly instantaneous in their effect although as they also work by absorbing moisture, there can be some further improvement after the initial injection. Clients will usually be okay to go out the same day without any significant problems. Occasional bruising can occur but is often mild and easily covered with make up. The lip area is the area most prone to mild swelling, although this is usually lasting 2-3 days after the treatment at the most and is easily managed with intermittent icing.

No. The lines will gradually revert to how they were before the treatment over a number of months.