Injectable fillers: All your questions answered

Dr. Reza Mia, Aesthetic Doctor and General Practitioner answers our questions about injectable fillers.

What are injectable fillers and what are the benefits?
Restylane is a hyaluronic acid injectable filler and is used to replace lost volume in the face or to increase volume in parts of the face that are genetically deficient in volume. The filler comes in different molecule sizes as well as a special injector pen for Restylane vital light skinbooster. The unique thing about Restylane skinbooster is that it is based on a stabilised version of the natural substance hyaluronic acid. When placed under your skin it acts as a water reservoir, providing long-lasting hydration from the inside. This unique treatment creates luminous skin in a natural way by gently and naturally smoothening the skin from the inside, improving the skin elasticity and skin structure.

When would you consider using injectable fillers?
One would consider using injectable fillers when you have expressed volume loss in the face, have recently lost a lot of weight, have defects as a result of injury or illness or have areas of the face that are naturally disproportionate to the rest of the face, for example, chins, cheeks, jaws and brows.

What procedures are available for injectable fillers?
I use a brand called Restylane and we can perform a number of procedures using it:

Recommended lip treatments:
• Fuller lips (lip augmentation)
• Defined lip line (vermillion border)
• Happier mouth corners (oral commisures)
• Reduce smoker’s lines around the mouth (perioral lines)

Recommended wrinkles treatments:
• Nose to mouth lines (nasolabial folds)
• Loss of volume in the temples
• Smile lines
• Worry lines (glabellar lines)
• Frown lines (forehead lines)

Restylane can define features like:
• A stronger cheekbone
• A more pronounced chin

Results after hand treatment with Restylane skinboosters:
• Diminished appearance of veins
• Improved skin tone and lustre
• Restored hydrobalance
• Increased skin elasticity

Eye filler:
Often, a loss of volume under the eyes will trap light and cast a shadow, resulting in an increase in the apparent severity of dark circles under the eyes. Filling these voids will instantly improve the appearance of the supposed dark circles.

Which injectable filler procedures are the most popular?
Eyes, lips, oral commissures, naso labial folds, cheeks and hands are among the most popular procedures.

How does it get administered and do you need any downtime afterwards?
Fillers are injected into the skin and moulded into place. Some patients may experience slight swelling and maybe even bruising, but this lasts only a few days.

What do injectable fillers contain?
Hyaluronic acid.

How long would a filler last for and how often would you need to get it done to maintain the effect?
The results of a treatment with Restylane are long-lasting, without being permanent, giving you the freedom of choice to maintain the effect. A treatment with Restylane will generally last 12-18 months and with only one re-treatment, the effect has in a recent clinical study been shown to last up to 24 months. To maintain the results in the lips, a re-treatment is usually needed within nine months.

What is the price range for fillers?
Between R1 700-R6 000, depending on the procedure.

Are there any new procedures available?
Unusual but effective treatments are available for noses and acne scars.

Is there a downside to using injectable fillers?
If placed incorrectly or too superficially, it may need to be dissolved and revised.

Visit Dr Reza Mia’s website for more information, www.drrezamia.com, or contact 011 646 4044.