What is Hyaluronic Acid (HA) filler and where can it be used?

Hyaluronic Acid (HA) is a naturally occurring sugar molecule found throughout our bodies and mostly stored in our skin, connective tissue and eyes. HA helps the skin retain moisture and increases hydration in the skin, making it appear plumper, fresher and moisturized. As we get older, naturally occurring HA in our bodies decreases, just like collagen and elastin, resulting in the dehydration of the skin.

Injectable hyaluronic acid (HA) is a type of temporary dermal filler, that once injected into our skin, attracts water, which helps to restore volume, recreate lost structure, and replenish our bodies’ natural sources of HA. This, in turn, reduces the overall sunken or sagging appearance of the face, revitalising and adding volume to the skin and softens the overall look of fine lines and wrinkles.

Hyaluronic acid (HA) filler

As we age and go through different changes in our lifestyle, the skin, fat, muscles, bone in our face begins to thin and lose volume. This results in either a sunken or sagging appearance of the face leading to fine lines/wrinkles, facial folds, and thin lips. HA fillers can be injected in the right areas of the face to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, folds and helps create harmony, structure and volume to the face and lips. This temporary dermal filler can last up to 18 months, depending on the area treated and individual factors, and effects of the HA injectable are seen immediately.

There are a variety of HA dermal fillers available and it is important that the patient is aware of the type and brand used in any treatment. At Dermamina, we use a range of high quality fillers and only the worlds leading brands of hyaluronic acid facial fillers. Each type of filler vary in density (thickness), which can determine the area it can be used in and what it is designed for, whether it is to provide a lift, contour, profile balance, fill in lines or deep facial folds, or enhance a particular feature such as the lips.

Benefits of hyaluronic acid (HA) filler

It is without a doubt that there are many uses and benefits of hyaluronic acid fillers. Hyaluronic acid has gained a reputation for being safe, effective and a good alternative to surgery. HA is found throughout the body and comes with many benefits in providing the skin with volume and helping you look younger in appearance. Other benefits include:

 As the body produces HA, there is no risk of allergic reaction. HA dermal fillers are derived naturally and not animal based. It is known as one of natures most versatile and is made with extensive research in the laboratory

 HA fillers are minimally invasive, which means little or no downtime. No recovery time is needed and results are instant

 Treatments with injectable fillers are usually done under local anaesthesia with numbing cream for a pain free experience. Depending on the area treated, pain is usually none to minimal

 Appointments can last as little as 30 minutes, including consultation time, with individual treatment taking no longer than 15 minutes, allowing you to get back to living your life with minimal disruption. The patient can be as engaged as they like, as there is no general anaesthesia; you are able to see the results unfold as the injections are administered.

 Provides natural looking results. HA is injected in very small volumes, mainly with a very fine needle under the skin. The filler adds volume into the skin, plumping and smoothing out fine lines, folds and wrinkles without altering your natural appearance. It is not a permanent treatment, which is ideal for someone wanting to try out changes without committing to surgery or completely altering the face with surgery. As your face changes over time, you can maintain your look with regular dermal filler treatments to plump up and rejuvenate the right areas of the face.
 The filler can be strategically injected in the right areas, which instantly helps restore hydration, give volume to the skin and stimulate the growth of new collagen. Ultimately, the filler rebuilds structure and framework to the face and lips.

 HA fillers are reversible, so if you are not happy with the result or a serious complication occurs, it can be dissolved using hyaluronidase. It breaks down the hyaluronic acid and dissolves into our bodies in a matter of minutes, and can be done instantly (if complication occurs) or within 24 to 48 hours following a treatment.

Different filler treatments

Another benefit of hyaluronic acid fillers is that it can be used on many features and areas of the face, with effects seen immediately. At Dermamina London, we provide a range of dermal filler treatments tailored to individual needs and this includes:

Nose reshaping: Non-surgical nose job, or, as some call it, “liquid rhinoplasty”, is a treatment done by injecting hyaluronic acid (HA) dermal fillers into the nose to temporarily tweak it’s shape. Dermal fillers are used to reshape the contours of the nose, with small adjustments mainly to the bridge of the nose. Most commonly, it can be used to camouflage dorsal humps to provide a straightened and defined nose shape, lift and structure the nasal tip that may be drooping down, and for many provide definition along the bridge of the nose for a more contoured look. Taking no longer than 15 minutes, this advanced non-invasive procedure, can provide instant reshaping and modifying of the nose.

Lip enhancement: Dermal fillers specifically designed for the lips come in a variety of densities, all made of hyaluronic acid and whether you want a subtle natural looking lips or a fuller plumped result, the most suitable dermal filler will be used to create that perfect desired look.

Many individuals come for fuller and well-defined lips, as they are always associated with youthfulness and beauty. Lip filler treatment, commonly known as lip augmentation, is a non-surgical procedure done by strategically injecting HA fillers to the lips for volume and definition, as well as correct the proportion and symmetry of the lips. At Dermamina, we provide natural looking results; we are experts in providing a natural definition and plumpness that seamlessly blend with the other features of the face.

Tear trough: The tear trough treatment, also known as tear trough filler, instantly revives and rejuvenates your under eyes, adding volume and decreasing indentations. It is a non-surgical and non-invasive method, using dermal fillers specially designed for the tear trough area.

Dermal fillers are the most effective for long lasting and instant results that minimise hollows, dark circles and fine lines under the eyes, and as a result will reduce the appearance of tiredness, exhaustion and old age. With the tear trough treatment, the under eye can appear to be brighter, firmer and plumped, helping you look and feel more wide awake and youthful.

At Dermamina London, we offer only the highest quality, market leading dermal filler for the tear trough area and this is Teosyal Puresense Redensity II, which is made of hyaluronic acid and is the ideal filler designed to restore volume under the eyes. It is well known to be a lightweight gel and ideal to fill in the delicate skin under the eye, providing support without rigidity, so that emotions and facial expressions are not negatively affected. The filler is also acknowledged to attract very little water unlike other hyaluronic gels, resulting in minimal swelling after injecting and ensures a soft authentic finish and long lasting results.

Chin augmentation: During the ageing process, the shape of the lower face changes, causing the chin to move backwards along with the jawline to sag and lose volume. This results in the loss of profile balance and harmony of the features of the face. More notably a smaller chin will make the nose look more prominent or oversized, compromising the facial balance. With non-surgical dermal filler treatment, the shape of the chin can be defined and restored, providing a better definition to the lower face. The injectable filler can be strategically injected to add volume to the chin and make the chin appear more prominent and in proportion to the rest of the features on the face. This will result in a good ratio and balance between the nose and chin on profile view as the nose will not appear as oversized. This balance between the nose and chin is essential for facial balancing and with accurate and detailed treatment planning and injecting, the patient will achieve facial balancing with chin filler treatment.

Jawline contouring and defining: The non-surgical jaw filler treatment is designed to rejuvenate and give definition to the jaw line and lower face. Dermal fillers can be used to define, contour, rejuvenate and restore the shape of the pre-jowl area and jawline, providing a better definition of the lower face, whether you want a more structured and chiselled masculine shape, or a more contoured and smoother feminine look.

Cheek augmentation: Cheek fillers, also known as cheek augmentation treatment, provide volume to and around your cheekbones. Dermal fillers are used to create that instant ‘plumping’ effect, restoring and boosting the volume of the cheeks and give definition to the natural cheekbone structure, recreating the youthful contours of the face. The treatment is tailored to your individual face shape, needs and goals and once injected, the filler enhances the cheek size, definition and shape. This not only empowers augmentation of the cheeks but also provides a lift to the mid and lower face.

Nasolabial folds (smile line): The nasolabial folds, also known as smile lines, are incredibly common and are vertical lines that extend from the sides of your nose and curves around the mouth and in some cases extend to the chin. These lines develop with age, due to the natural loss of volume that occurs in the face with age, and other lifestyle factors, such as sudden loss in weight or sun damage

Dermal fillers are used for the smile line treatment, providing instant results and improvements in the appearance of the lines. It can also help in preventing static lines (lines seen when your face doesn’t move) and reduce the movement of dynamic lines (lines you see with movement). Dermal fillers used for the smile line treatment is made of hyaluronic acid that is injected strategically into the smile line; providing results based on the patient's requirements and suitability.

Corner of the mouth: The corner of the mouth lines are long vertical downturned lines/creases that can be seen from the corners of the lips to the chin. These lines give the appearance of a sad look to the face and naturally occur with age and other lifestyle factors, such as smoking or through genetics.

Dermal filler can be injected into the area of the corner of the mouth, in order to lift these corners by adding volume and anchoring the corners higher up. The treatment takes no longer than 10 minutes; with instant results and improvements in the appearance of the lines, meaning you can get straight back to your normal daily activities, feeling a boost in self confidence.

What to expect after the treatment

After a dermal filler treatment, there is no recovery time needed, you can get back to your daily activities or work that does not include any physical activity or sun exposure, the very same day. Following the treatment, depending on the area treated, there will be some common injected related effects such as swelling, redness at the injection site and some may experience slight bruising. For many there are no visible marks and the redness and bruising does subside within a week or two. The patient may take Arnica tablets or apply the gel after the treatment, which helps the relief of bruises as well as cooling and soothing the skin. You may also bring an ice pack to use after the treatment to minimize redness and inflammation, only if advised.

It is important that all patients follow the post treatment advice and to report any side effects and concerns that patients have following the treatment. An after care email is immediately sent right after the treatment, at Dermamina we make sure you are in safe hands during and after the treatment.

How does hyaluronic acid dissolve in the body?

Hyaluronic acid fillers are temporary and can be long lasting depending on the filler used and the areas treated. Fillers get dissolved naturally in the body as the body is able to break the filler down and results of the treatment gradually fade. Over time, the hyaluronic acid filler breaks down and is re-absorbed by the body, just like the natural occurring hyaluronic acid in the skin

Where to get dermal filler treatments in London

Dermamina offers bespoke treatments in the vibrant city, London. Specialising in non-surgical cosmetic procedures and skincare treatments for both men and women. Located just a two-minute walk from Marble Arch station, and walking distance from Bond Street station and Oxford Street. Contact Dermamina for a consultation to find out if the treatment is right for you today!