Hyaluronic Acid (HA) is the skin’s key tool in retaining water, and its presence in the skin creates volume and elasticity. HA is a naturally occurring sugar found in virtually all species in the animal kingdom and in every tissue of the human body. Just a single gram of Hyaluronic Acid has the ability to hold up to six liters of water. The skin has three layers: The Epidermis, Dermis, and Subcutaneous. The Epidermis is the outer layer, containing cells that are continually renewed. The Dermis is the middle layer, containing Collagen (which provides support to the skin) and Elastin (which provides strength and flexibility). The Subcutaneous is the deepest layer of the skin and has the job of supporting the two layers above it. HA is naturally found throughout all three layers of the skin. However, as you age, your skin cells renew themselves at a slower rate, providing less HA, Collagen, and Elastin, causing the skin to thin. In combination with external elements such as sun exposure, gravity, repetitive movement, diet, and stress, the skin loses volume, sags, and develops fine lines.

Dermal Fillers can be used on people in all age ranges, the ideal candidate should be in good physical and psychological health. Generally, compared to PDO thread treatments Dermal Filler treatments are performed on younger patients. However, this is all dependent on the desired results. It is important for candidates to have realistic expectations of results. Dermal Fillers are a great solution to prevent the early signs of aging in the face (i.e., crow’s feet, frown lines, smile lines, etc.) as well as plumping and shaping the lips, cheeks and jawline.

Before your treatment, it’s wise to sit down with your Clinician in a consultation appointment to discuss your expectations and ensure your understanding of the procedure. Be sure to communicate your specific desires for your appearance, as well as your complete medical history. Talk to your clinician candidly about timelines you may have, or specific events or dates that you would like to see results achieved by. In more general terms, patients want to ensure they do not consume alcoholic beverages for at least 24 hours before the treatment. We also recommend that patients eat and drink prior to their appointments to avoid nausea or lightheadedness. Certain blood thinning medications should also be avoided, for more specifics on this, we recommend contacting your doctor.

Come to your appointment prepared by having followed any instructions provided to you by your Clinician during your consultation. Your Clinician will clean and sterilize the injection site thoroughly. You can expect to experience some mild discomfort during the procedure, but the injection site will be numbed using a topical, or local anesthetic, for your comfort.

You can expect to feel some mild discomfort at the injection site after the treatment. Your Clinician will provide you with a list of “Do’s and Don’ts” for post-treatment care. Follow these instructions carefully to avoid excess bruising and swelling, and to guarantee the best possible results. Most commonly, patients are advised to avoid strenuous exercise for one- or two-days post treatment and alcohol for two to three days. Patients should not expose the injection site to extreme temperatures (cold, heat, or sun) for the first week, and should avoid touching the injection site as much as possible.

One of the benefits of dermal fillers is that you will begin to see results immediately after your treatment. That being said, you can expect some swelling and mild bruising in the days following, so always be sure to book your treatment well in advance of any important events you may need to attend. Your results will last several months, however, if you are unhappy with your new look, dermal fillers are also completely reversible. Intraline provides patients with the best of both worlds: A long lasting result without the commitment of an irreversible procedure – the perfect introduction to a dermatological aesthetics treatment program.

- What products do you recommend, and why

- What specifically are the results that I should I expect?

- How long can I expect the results to last?

- What side effects should I expect?

- How much will the treatment cost?

- How much pain can I expect during and after the treatment?

- What type of care will be required after my procedure?

- Any additional special instructions?

The result duration really depends on the treatment, individual and their lifestyle. However, you can expect results on average to last between 4-12 months.

With any cosmetic procedure, there is a range of potential side effects. The most common side effects include temporary reactions at the treatment site such as tenderness, swelling, firmness, lumps/bumps, bruising, pain, redness, discoloration, and itching. The reactions normally appear shortly after treatment and may last up to 7 days for injections into the skin and up to 14 for injection into the lips. If you determine that the discomfort experienced is severe or if the site gives rise to other conditions, such as oedema or prolonged swelling, contact the physician who administered the treatment immediately. Although most side effects will resolve with time, some side effects may persist longer than 30 days. Your doctor may choose to treat them with medications, such as antibiotics, steroids, or hyaluronidase (an enzyme that breaks down HA and essentially removes the product). The risks associated with dermal fillers are low, but it is important to be aware.

Severe complications from Dermal Fillers are very uncommon, however with any cosmetic procedure potential risks exist. Risks depend on the Dermal Filler type, injector and patient. Here are some identified potential risks:

- Acne-like skin eruptions

- Asymmetry

- Bruising, bleeding from the injection site, swelling

- Damage to the skin that results in a wound and possible scarring

- Infection at the injection site

- Lumps

- Palpability of the filler under the surface of the skin

- Skin rash with itching

- Skin redness

- Under- or over-correction of wrinkles

- Blindness

- Skin necrosis (ulceration or loss of skin from disruption of blood flow)

We recommend sourcing a clinician that is professionally trained and able to answer all of your questions related to the procedure and potential risks.