Of all the cosmetic treatments out there, fillers are probably the most misunderstood. Not only is the actual procedure shrouded in mystery (more on that later), but horror stories of overfilled, toddler-plump cheeks and bodge-job lips continue to give it a bad rap today.
In short, fillers are substances injected beneath the surface of the skin to add volume and fullness. In the right hands, it's not about changing the face or exaggerating facial features to unnatural proportions – which is why there's currently a backlash to what has been dubbed “Instagram face”.
As ever, what you choose to do to your body is up to you. Fillers are still a medical procedure and, as such, should not be taken lightly. But if you are keen to try them, you'll be relieved to know that a less-is-more approach, combined with advances in filler formula, means you can opt for a more natural look as aesthetic practitioners can now subtly elevate the hollows of the face or add barely detectable volume to your lips.
Before even drilling down into the finer points – for example, how long you should leave before a wedding to get fillers – the most important thing to consider is your practitioner.
Do your research and ask for a practitioner's qualifications and experience. Check the Professional Standards Authority (PSA) or other independent associations, such as the British College of Aesthetic Medicine (BCAM). If they are a doctor, they should be registered with the General Medical Council (GMC); similarly any dentist who also injects filler must be registered with the General Dental Council (GDC)and nurses with The Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC).
Above all, "always choose an experienced provider, who is not only medically trained, but has extensive experience with facial anatomy,” notes Dr Ashwin Soni, a plastic and reconstructive surgeon.
This is a general mantra when it comes to any injectable treatment but keep scrolling for all the other crucial things no one tells you before getting fillers. We spoke to renowned aesthetic doctors and a plastic surgeon so that you feel armed with all the information you need to make the best decision for you.
1.Filler won't ‘freeze’ your facial muscles
Dermal fillers are often confused with Botox. They are both injectable drugs but that is where the similarities end. “Botulinum toxin is a neurotoxin and stops a muscle from moving as much – meaning it can calm down the harsh facial expressions we see with age, such as frown lines and a pebbled chin,” says aesthetic doctor Dr Sarah Tonks. “Fillers, on the other hand, are either for volume replacement when fat or bone disappears with age or as skin quality improvers.”
2. All fillers are not the same
“There are many different brands and types of filler out there of varying degrees of quality,” says Dr Soni, who recommends hyaluronic acid-based fillers. "These are the best in quality and safest if there was ever an issue as they can easily be dissolved if needed by the enzyme hyaluronidase," he adds. Hyaluronic acid fillers typically last between 6-18 months.
Other types of filler, also named after the material they’re made with, include calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA), a substance found naturally on our bones. “They are typically stiffer than hyaluronic acid gel fillers, which means that they can be used for support – for example, along the jawline – and can theoretically last longer than hyaluronic acid fillers,” Dr Soni explains.
Poly-L-lactic acid products are another type of dermal filler you may come across. “They are used to soften lines, and also help to stimulate your natural collagen production,” he continues. “It degrades quickly after treatment, but as it stimulates collagen production, the effects can gradually be seen over a few months.” Sculptra is the most well known brand for this type of filler.
