Harper’s Bazaar
April 2023
Harper’s Bazaar Beauty Editor, Jennifer George creates a comprehensive guide of all thing’s dermal filler. With the helpful advice of The Cosmetic Skin Clinic’s aesthetic doctor, Dr Joanna Christou, Jennifer George covers all the dermal filler angles you have questions on.
What are dermal fillers?
Dermal fillers are “pre-filled, sterile syringes of hyaluronic acid injected into the body – usually the face – to create volume” says Dr Joanna Christou.
“Our body naturally has a lot of hyaluronic acid (HA) in it; it forms tissue firmness and is in lots of cells, but as we age the quantities deplete and the structure of our face changes. The use of fillers is to replace this loss of volume.”
The different types of dermal filler
You get dermal fillers that are firm and rigid “for places that need more structural support like the jawline or temples” says Dr Christou, and you also get ones that are much softer and fluid “and therefore have a lot more hydrating capacity”. For instance, the softer and more fluid ones can be used under the eyes “where we don’t want anything firm or bulky but instead, we want to plump and hydrate the area”.
A few of the household dermal filler names include:
How dermal fillers are used
According to Dr. Christou, as we grow older, our faces experience a loss of volume, mainly caused by the depletion of collagen and elastin, resulting in drooping. Moreover, our bones tend to shrink, which can give rise to a sagging and deflated appearance. Although these changes are a normal part of the aging process, fillers can be used to address these concerns if desired.
Dr. Christou emphasises that fillers should be used exclusively for volume replacement rather than for adding extra volume. She states that, “By using dermal filler to replace the loss, what you’re going to achieve is a softening of the facial features”, meaning you can create a look that is “fresh, healthier, lifted and sculpted without distorting the face and disrupting the balance.”
Other dermal filler benefits
- Results are immediate
- Adds volume and lift
- Rebalances an uneven profile
- Suitable for all skin types and colours
How fillers are injected, and how it feels.
The method of injecting fillers may vary depending on the viscosity of the filler and the area of the face being treated. In some cases, a fine needle may suffice, but a flexible tube called a cannula is often used to ensure precise delivery of the filler under the skin.
“Often I’ll combine the use of injection techniques around the face” says Dr Joanna, “as it gives a more bespoke, refined result and I can be more controlled with how I place the filler”.
During the injection process, the cannula will be manoeuvred in various directions to direct the filler into the targeted areas, and your practitioner will manipulate the filler into position. While this manipulation isn’t painful, it may feel unusual or unfamiliar.
How long filler lasts, and when to top-up.
Fillers last up to 10 months. Top-ups are encouraged and Dr Christou offers maintenance top-ups. Dr Christou says, “My preference in topping up is to do regular micro treatments” … “most of my patients come back to me once or twice a year for dinky, sprinkle-effect filler dotted in where it’s needed”.
What can go wrong with fillers?
“Fillers are best used when proper assessment of the anatomy has been undertaken,” says Dr Joanna. “Rather than filling cheeks for sake of it, you can actually look at a face and identify where the loss of volume has occurred – rather than adding where it isn’t required.”
To read the full Harper’s Bazaar article, click here.
To book a dermal filler consultation with Dr Joanna Christou at our clinics in London and Stoke Poges, Buckinghamshire, please contact us today on 0333 355 9084 or fill-in our online contact form.
