Dermal Fillers @ Elysium™ Brisbane
What Are Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers and volumizers are used to reduce wrinkles and creases on the face and hands, plump and define the lips, replace lost volume, reshape the face, and fill acne scars and surgical scars.
There are many types and brands of dermal filler available. Unlike some clinics that stock and promote only one brand of filler, Dr Csilla uses all brands, utilising each for its specific benefits depending on the condition being treated and your desired outcome. As Dr Csilla says, “If you only have a hammer, everything looks like a nail!” but every face is different and the best results can only be achieved if you have multiple different types of filler in your aesthetic toolbox.
The Science & Art of Dermal Fillers
Safely using dermal fillers and achieving the best results requires a detailed knowledge of anatomy and a thorough understanding of the properties of the dermal filler, in addition to a good aesthetic eye. The former is the science and the latter is the art, and cosmetic injecting is a meld of both. At Brisbane’s Elysium™ Skin Centre in Fortitude Valley, all filler injections are performed by Dr Csilla after a detailed consultation and assessment, tailoring the treatment to your specific needs.
The aim of fillers is to achieve a fresh and more youthful appearance, without an exaggerated, unnatural effect. Take a look at the appearance of your injector and the staff at the clinic. This will give you a clear idea as to whether they have the eye and ability to provide you with the natural refreshed look you desire.
Before & Afters
FAQ’s
What are dermal fillers and volumizers and how do they work?
The dermis of the skin (just under the surface) is composed of collagen, elastin, ground substance (primarily mucopolysaccharides) and water. With age, all of these substances are reduced leading to loss of volume, wrinkles, creases, skin sagging and loss of definition. Dermal fillers are most commonly composed of sugar molecules that are made into purified gels to replace these lost substances. Some fillers can also stimulate the body to produce more of these substances itself, adding to the overall rejuvenation effect.
Volumizers are not line fillers but rather add volume to the face by promoting collagen stimulation. This gives lift and softens the wrinkles and folds that are caused by volume loss. An analogy is blowing up a deflating balloon.
Volumizers are used differently to fillers and for different indications, specifically for facial hollowing and gauntness in low body weight individuals. Volumizers can soften hollow cheeks and bony cheekbones, “fill” hollow temples, and define the chin and jawline. It is especially effective for my patients who have drug-induced facial lipoatrophy.
The choice between fillers and volumizers depends on the amount of volume replacement needed and maintenance issues. If a small amount of filling is all that’s needed, then I generally recommend a filler gel. If more than 2-3 syringes are needed, then a course of volumizer injections may be more cost effective over time, as results can last 2-3 years. Maintenance treatment can then be done once every 12 months.
At Elysium™, Dr Csilla only uses non-permanent dermal fillers. These will last from 6 months to 2 years, producing a natural rejuvenation with significantly less risks than permanent fillers. Complications with permanent fillers can occur years after the injections; “permanent fillers = permanent problems”.
What areas can be treated?
The commonest sites for dermal fillers are:
- Lips
- Nasolabial folds (between the nose and the outer edge of the lip)
- Cheeks
- Chin and jawline
- Temples
- Nose
- Frown lines, creases and wrinkles
- Tear troughs
- Acne scars, chickenpox scars and surgical scars
- Hands
Do they hurt?
Dr Csilla refers to filler injections as an uncomfortable procedure rather than painful. And the discomfort is short lived. Fillers are injected into the dermis and the underlying tissues which may not sound pleasant (and there is a needle prick), but we use anaesthetic cream and ice to numb the area beforehand. And Dr Csilla may sometimes recommend having a nerve block. In addition, many of the fillers now also contain local anaesthetic, which numbs the area during and after the injection procedure. So filler injections are actually very well tolerated by most.
What to expect during the treatment.
Every patient receives a detailed consultation and assessment with Dr Csilla to determine your needs and tailor the treatment specifically to you. She will discuss the type of filler, where it will be used, the expected outcome, duration of results and cost. In addition to assessing volume loss, Dr Csilla also likes to discuss other aspects of skin rejuvenation so that you have a good understanding of anti-ageing procedures in general and can then make an informed decision regarding which treatments are best suited for you.
You will usually arrive 30-45 minutes before the procedure for application of numbing anaesthetic cream.
The injection procedure usually involves fine needles used at various points to place the filler into the treatment area. Some injection techniques utilise a cannula (blunt needle) rather than a sharp needle, and a local anaesthetic injection will be used in these cases. All of these issues will be discussed with you by Dr Csilla at the time of consultation.
The procedure takes 20-40 minutes depending on the areas to be treated and the complexity of the procedure. Dr Csilla always performs these treatments slowly and carefully to minimize your discomfort and trauma to the tissues so there is less bruising and swelling, and to minimize the risks associated with injecting.
How will I look like after the treatment?
Immediately after the procedure you can expect slight redness and some swelling. Lips and eyes are particularly prone to temporary swelling which may look initially unnatural. This is completely normal and settles within a day or two. Excessive swelling is rare and more likely in those patients prone to allergies. Dr Csilla will advise how to prevent or alleviate the swelling.
Some bruising is also common, especially around the eyes and mouth, but is generally only focal and minimal. It can be covered with makeup and settles within 3-5 days. A bruise cream can also help resolve the bruises faster. We can further assist bruising with the use of Derma V laser, Limelight IPL and LED light therapy if it is particularly troublesome.
After redness, swelling and any bruising settles you will be left with a younger, fresher and natural appearance.
How long do they last?
The longevity of fillers depends on the type of filler used, the area treated and some individual factors, such as your metabolic rate. On average they last 6-8 months, but some patients have residual benefits for up to 2 years. Volumizers generally have greater longevity, 9 months to 3 years, as they usually increase your own collagen which takes longer to degrade.
What are the potential side effects or risks?
- Bruising is common but is usually mild. The area around the eyes is especially prone to bruising. It can be covered with makeup and usually settles in 3-5 days.
- Swelling is common but is usually mild. It is most common in the lips. Sometimes the physical injection can produce angioedema of the lips (severe temporary swelling) which settles within a day when treated with antihistamines.
- Asymmetry can occur as one side responds more than the other. A minor degree of asymmetry is common in the first couple of weeks due to variation in swelling and bruising between one side and the other. Any residual asymmetry is easily corrected with additional filler at the time of review.
- Infection is very rare but is always a risk when a needle penetrates the skin. If you develop redness, unexpected pain, heat and swelling of the treated area after the procedure please contact us immediately for advice. Infection is treated with antibiotics. Patients prone to cold sores may be required to take antiviral medication prior to lip filling.
- Necrosis of the skin (due to blockage of a small blood vessel) is very rare and may result in ulceration and scarring. It is usually visible to the doctor at the time of the procedure. If you notice any blanching, abnormal colour changes in the skin or unexpected pain after the procedure please let us know immediately.
- Blindness has been very rarely reported in the literature (less than 100 cases worldwide). It is caused by inadvertent injection of the filler into a blood vessel that supplies the eye, usually by an untrained or inexperienced injector.
What brand of dermal filler does Elysium™ use?
There are many types and brands of dermal filler available on the market. Unlike most clinics that just stock and promote one brand of filler, Dr Csilla uses all brands of temporary filler utilizing each for its specific benefits depending on the condition being treated and your desired outcome. As Dr Csilla says, “If you only have a hammer, everything looks like a nail!” but every face is different and the best results can only be achieved if you have multiple different fillers in your aesthetic toolbox.
Can dermal fillers be combined with other treatments?
Yes! Treating volume loss represents only one part of the rejuvenation process. Dermal fillers are commonly combined with anti-wrinkle injections to enhance the result and help prevent further wrinkles and creases developing. In addition, other therapies such as Fraxel and Lase MD laser, Ultherapy, Genius RF therapy, microneedling, chemical peels and Limelight IPL are utilised to improve skin tone and texture, tighten and lift the skin, reduce redness and even out pigmentation. Some treatments can be combined together in the one session and others are best carried out on separate days.
How much does it cost?
| The minimum costs for popular procedures are: | |
| Lip plumping and lip lines filled | from $440 |
| Perioral rejuvenation | from $880 |
| Cheek volumizing | from $770 |
| Global facial volumizing (“8 point lift”) | $1540 |
| Hand plumping | from $990 |
The final word on Dermal Fillers @ Elysium™ Brisbane by Dr Csilla
I LOVE DERMAL FILLERS! They can do so much in a subtle way to enhance your appearance. It’s not just about anti-ageing anymore, it’s also about beautifying what you’ve got. Dermal fillers are an essential tool for replacing lost volume, removing lines and wrinkles, and refining, enhancing and reshaping facial features. In experienced hands they produce a safe, quick, effective and long-lasting result. In many cases other therapies may be used in conjunction with dermal fillers including fractionated laser, chemical peels and Genius RF therapy. I particularly like to combine anti-wrinkle injections with dermal fillers to get the very best results.
Why choose Elysium™ Skin Centre for your dermal fillers?
Dr Csilla is an experienced, skilful and respected Cosmetic Physician who receives referrals from plastic surgeons and dermatologists for filler procedures. She is artistic and meticulous, and so volumizing and filler procedures have become one of her specialities. She performs all of the dermal filling and lip fillers at Brisbane’s Elysium™ Skin Centre. With her past training in dermatology and more than 20 years’ experience in cosmetic medicine, Dr Csilla will ensure that you achieve a soft, natural and refreshed look.
Dermal fillers is just one aspect of facial rejuvenation. Dr Csilla will also advise on treatment for pigmentation, sun damage, redness, skin laxity and other issues to achieve the best possible result for you