FILLERS

Fillers are products which are injected into the skin or under the skin to restore volume lost from the face as we age and to soften the appearance of deep wrinkles, coarse lines and folds. Fillers may also be used to plump up the volume of lips.

Choice of Filler Product

There are over 200 filler products available in Europe, however, most cosmetic dermatologists will stick to a small number of those available. Some clients come with an idea of which filler product they wish to be used, however, we would generally recommend keeping an open mind and discussing to best product for your individual case when you see Dr Murdoch for a consultation.

Hyaluronic Acid (HA) Fillers

The most popular fillers used are made from a chemical called Hyaluronic Acid (HA), a natural componant of skin. These products have proven themselves to be very safe over many years. Whilst there are a large number of HA fillers on the market we prefer to use just a few. The most popular HA filler in our clinic at present is the Juvederm Ultra range. Dr Murdoch will also use one of the Restylane product range if clients have been happy with this in the past and prefer to stay with the same product. The effects of HA fillers will last up to 12 months for most injection areas. Injections into the lips generaly last around 6-9 months.

Evolence

Evolence is a collagen based filler which breaks down slowly and generally produces an effect for at least 1 year.

Radiesse

Radiesse is made of a calcium hydroxyapetite crystals suspended in a carrier gel. As the gel breaks down over a few months the crystals stimulate a thickening in the skin. For those clients who get a good thickening response after Radiesse treatment the results can last 18 months or more and this can therefore be a very cost effective treatment.

Sculptra

Sculptra is a products made of poly-L-lactic acid crystal. It is technically not a filler as the water used to inject it is absorbed by the body within a few days its effects rely on the crystals ability to stimulate the underside of the skin to thicken. A series of 3-5 treatment sessions are usually carried out at around 6 week intervals. If a satisfactory thinckening of the skin is produced the effects may last up to 2 years.

Permanant Fillers

There are some filler products which do not degrade in the skin and the effects may therefore be described as permanant. At Shropshire Skin Clinic we do not use any permanant filler proucts as we believe the risks to be higher and there is a risk that any adverse effects will be permanant. Additionally the amount of a filler product required and its positioning may welll change as the face ages over the years