Fillers
Dermal Fillers
What is it?
Filler injections are non-surgical procedures, unlike fat grafting, which is surgical. They use filler substances to improve wrinkles, furrows and irregularities or to increase volume. More superficial fillers may also improve skin hydration. In our practice, the preference is for hyaluronic acid, a non-permanent filler, because of its better safety profile.
Several brands are available, including Restylane, Art Filler FillMed and Juvederm. They vary in viscosity, water absorption capacity and molecular characteristics, which influence the injection depth, the avoidance of visible papules and the maximisation of durability.
Cosmetic indications include age-related loss of facial volume, particularly loss of cheek fat, deep furrows from the nose to the corners of the mouth and, in some cases, lines between the lower eyelids and the cheeks. Hyaluronic acid is also commonly used for lip or chin augmentation and can smooth irregularities of the nose, improving its shape.
Videos
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Procedures that may be combined
Fat Grafting
What is it?
Fat grafting, also known as fat transfer, fat injections or lipofilling, is a surgical procedure, unlike hyaluronic acid fillers. It uses the patient’s own fat to fill irregularities and furrows or to increase volume.
Aesthetic indications include age-related loss of facial volume, particularly loss of cheek fat, deep furrows from the nose to the corners of the mouth and, in some cases, lines between the lower eyelids and the cheeks. It is also commonly used for lip augmentation and can smooth irregularities resulting from a poorly performed liposuction.
Breast or buttock volume enhancement using the patient’s own fat, including the Brazilian Butt Lift, is currently one of the most requested aesthetic procedures.
The fat required for a limited liposuction is obtained through one or more incisions measuring 3 to 5 mm and is usually harvested from the abdomen or thigh.
The procedure has the additional advantage of complementing liposuction in other areas by making use of the removed fat.
Videos
Videos
Procedures that may be combined
Frequently asked questions
Answers to common questions about hyaluronic acid fillers and fat grafting.
What is a hyaluronic acid filler?
It is a non-surgical treatment that uses a non-permanent filler to improve wrinkles, furrows and irregularities or to increase volume.
What can hyaluronic acid fillers do for the face?
They can restore or increase facial volume, temporarily increase projection and help correct wrinkles.
Can hyaluronic acid improve skin hydration?
Yes. More superficial fillers may also improve skin hydration.
Which areas can be treated with hyaluronic acid?
It can be used in the cheeks, furrows from the nose to the corners of the mouth, some lines between the lower eyelids and cheeks, the lips, the chin and irregularities of the nose.
How long does a hyaluronic acid treatment take?
The treatment takes approximately 15 minutes and is performed in the clinic.
What anaesthesia is used and are there scars?
Topical or regional anaesthesia may be used. The procedure does not leave scars.
What is recovery like after hyaluronic acid fillers?
You can work on the same day, although some areas may remain swollen or red for 1 or 2 days. Bruising may also occur during the first few days.
How long do hyaluronic acid results last?
Duration depends on the depth, location and type of product used and may range from 6 to 18 months.
What is fat grafting?
It is a surgical procedure that uses the patient’s own fat to fill irregularities and furrows or to increase volume.
Which areas can be treated with fat grafting?
It can be used on the face, lips, breasts and buttocks, and can also smooth irregularities resulting from a poorly performed liposuction.
What can fat grafting do for the cheekbones?
It can restore cheekbone volume and projection, support the upper eyelid, improve the transition to the area below and complement a facelift.
Where is the fat for fat grafting taken from?
It is usually harvested from the abdomen or thigh through one or more incisions measuring 3 to 5 mm.
How long does fat grafting take and what anaesthesia is required?
It can take from 30 minutes to 2 hours. General anaesthesia is usually used, except for minor procedures, which may be performed under local anaesthesia with or without sedation.
What are the hospital stay and recovery after fat grafting?
It may be performed on an outpatient basis or require 1 day in hospital. Swelling usually starts to decrease from the third day, and social activities can generally be resumed after about one week.
Are fat grafting results permanent?
About 30 to 50% of the grafted fat is reabsorbed over 6 to 12 months. After that, the result generally becomes final and permanent, although major weight changes can alter the fat volume.
This information is general and does not replace an individual medical assessment.
