Common Questions To Ask Your Clinician Before Getting Dermal Fillers.

Our skin ages naturally as we get older with one of the main effects being the loss of collagen. We also loose elasticity, fat and volume which manifests as lines, wrinkles and folds. Other factors that may contribute to the natural aging include smoking, poor diet, lifestyle and sun damage. Dermal fillers may be the solution for you.

What are dermal fillers and how do they work?

Dermal fillers are gel like substances that are injected into your skin and lips to add volume, thereby reversing the effects of aging. The most common substance used is hyaluronic acid, which is found naturally in our bodies. It’s works by its ability to attract and store moisture giving your skin the appearance of more plumb and hydrated look.

After the age of 25, you will slowly start to lose the natural collagen in your face by the rate of around 2% per annum, with production stopping almost completely by your 30^th birthday. Dermal fillers work by basically replacing the lost collagen.

How long do dermal fillers last?

Dermal fillers are not permanent and will generally last around 6-12 months depending upon the type used. Semi-permanent fillers, like Sculptra, can last up to 18months. Your dentist will recommend which filler is best for you and will inform you of how long they will typically last for. The common dermal fillers we use at Gentle Dental care are Restylane and Juvederm Ultra 3 however there are others. The important thing to remember is different fillers do different things.

What can you use dermal fillers for?

• Add volume to sculpt thin lips
• Improve jaw lines
• Creases, folds and wrinkles
• Smile, marionette and lipstick lines

Do dermal fillers hurt?

The procedure can be uncomfortable IF you choose someone who is inexperienced.

We pride ourselves on giving our patients the most comfortable journey and that’s why we chose the name Gentle Dental Care. Before the procedure we use a high strength anaesthetic cream to numb the region prior to the injection.

We use high quality, fine, small needles which means you hardly feel a thing. As we use thousands of these a year, we have built up good techniques to ensure your comfort. If you still want to make it completely pain-free, we can always numb you up prior to the procedure.

Are there any side effects from using dermal fillers?

Thousands of patients have been treated with dermal fillers in the UK alone and it has shown to be very safe with a very limited number of serious complications. The figures globally are equally impressive.

Most side effects are not serious in nature and are actually caused by the actual injection. These complications, which disappear quickly, include mild bleeding, bruising and swelling. Because hyaluronic acid is produced by the body itself, allergies are rare. If you think you have an allergic reaction, please contact your clinician as there are reverse agents you can use to dissolve the fillers. Signs of an allergy include:

• Swelling
• Hard small bumps under the skin
• Itchiness
• Redness

Serious side effects are very rare but can occur especially if performed by unsuitable providers. These include scarring, infections and blocked blood vessels which lead to swelling and tissue death.

Can anyone get dermal fillers?

Dermal fillers are suitable for most people and there are not many contraindications. It’s best to avoid treatment if you are on certain medication or suffer from specific conditions and our dentists will ensure this is highlighted prior to treatment.

Its best to avoid treatment if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, as although there are no specific issues, we would want to ere on the side of caution.

Will it look unnatural?

Good fillers are invisible. We always listen to what our patients want – some want a fuller result and other more of a subtle look. If you are unsure about the look you want then we recommend going for a less amount to begin with and then top it up in future.

How much are dermal fillers?

We would need to assess you first to ensure you are an ideal candidate. After discussing your desired goals and wishes we would make a diagnosis and agree on a plan.

Current prices for dermal fillers are – £180 per 1ml.

For newbies we would recommend up to 1ml to begin with. If you have had fillers before you are likely to know how much you will need.

How are dermal fillers so cheap compared to other providers in the area?

Gentle Dental Care is a large group of dental practices in Croydon and have been serving the local community for over 40 years. As we have a great reputation in the area as we have a large patient following meaning we do a large volume of not only dental work but also facial aesthetics like Botox® and Dermal Fillers. This means we are able to negotiate large discounts on products such as pharmaceuticals, thereby passing this cost onto consumers.

Why chose to Gentle Dental Care for dermal fillers?

We are one of the leading providers of Dermal Fillers in Croydon, having treated hundreds of cases. Our clinicians are all registered with the GDC, are all indemnified (insured) and hold the relevant qualifications. Unfortunately, there are lots of providers who are under qualified, uninsured and illegally practising facial aesthetics and we promise you a professional service with our expertly trained clinicians. For some strange reason, dermal fillers are unregulated in the UK which means that anyone can actually provide treatment. Sounds crazy right?

As all our clinicians are dentists, many of which are registered members of the royal college of surgeons, we are experts in the muscles and anatomy of the face. This means we are considered to be one of the highly trained health-care professionals that should be allowed to treat patients as opposed to beauty technicians.