Dermal fillers consist of a tissue compound injected beneath the skin. This is not active in the same way as some injectable treatments are and there is no drug effect. All skin tissue is made out of a mixture of non-living matrixes, with cells that maintain the matrix and the overall function of the tissue. Exactly what they are varies wildly depending on the tissue; bone tissue has a calcified net as its matrix with osteocytes as the living cells. Just beneath the skin of facial tissue, the matrix would consist mostly of glycoproteins, and tissue fluid which is similar to blood plasma, this would be maintained by a whole plethora of endothelial cells.
The most common lip fillers Harley Street are based on hyaluronic acid. This is one of the matrix compounds found naturally occurring in skin tissue. Over time, the quantity of hyaluronic acid reduces naturally as a person ages. The loss of this volume contributes to a sagging or drooping of the face which can exaggerate wrinkles and is one of the most noticeable signs of ageing. A dermal filling is therefore attempting to replace that lost hyaluronic acid by injecting it directly into the areas of the face where the drooping is most significant. These are known as pump and fill techniques and have become very commonly used by practitioners and doctors who apply dermal fillers.
Hyaluronic acid is extremely hydrophilic and when fully hydrated, it is a thick translucent gel. It is also pH neutral when exposed to water. It has been used extensively in moisturisers and other cosmetics and is generally considered extremely safe, because it commonly occurs in human tissue it’s extremely unlikely to cause allergic reactions.
How do I get dermal fillers?
In the UK, there are no restrictions on who can legally perform dermal filling procedures. This is because they are legally considered a minimally invasive procedure. There are also providers who will sell you their branded fillers online for home use. In general, this is not recommended; the experience of the practitioner is a major factor in how effective your dermal fillers will be. They have to be aware of safety procedures, appropriate hygiene protocols and basic physiology in order to inject safely, but also have aesthetic experience in order to be able to create a symmetrical and pleasing final result. One of the professions where all of these skills intersect nicely is dentistry, with dental practices becoming major providers of filler treatment.
Approaching a practitioner
It is important to be direct with whichever practitioner you choose to perform dermal filling services. Any competent practitioner should be able to provide you with advice on achieving your aesthetic goals, so as long as you are direct with them and they are clear about your expectations, they should be able to help you on the way to achieve those goals. You should not be embarrassed about asking to see a practitioner’s portfolio of past work. And be very aware of budget providers and the potential use of counterfeit products.
