Hyaluronic Acid Filler

What is Hyaluronic Acid Filler?

There are many filler choices: hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring human protein responsible for cushioning the skin, and newer fillers or volumizers that are meant to fill larger volume loss like sunken cheeks, lost cheekbones, and very deep nasolabial folds and marionette lines.

How is Hyaluronic Acid Fillers used?

While dermal fillers are casually known as “wrinkle fillers,” they can do much more than just smooth out wrinkles, although they are excellent at this too! Here are a few of the common issues dermal fillers can help address:

Smooth out lines around nose and mouth (a.k.a. marionette lines, smile lines, and parentheses)
Enhance & restore volume to sunken cheeks or temples
Diminish vertical lip lines
Plump & enhance the lips
Smooth out a chin crease
Improve symmetry among facial features

How does it work?

Most tissue in the human body contains hyaluronic acid especially the skin, the eyeballs, and the cartilages. The Hyaluronic acid acts as a natural sponge/shock absorber, especially in one’s joints. As one gets older, the body produces less hyaluronic acid. This is one of the reasons older patients suffer from OA (osteoarthritis) as they lose the sponginess provided by hyaluronic acid. The skin also becomes dehydrated and thus by replacing the hyaluronic acid in one’s skin and lips, the hydration and thickness of one’s skin will improve. Hyaluronic acid also stimulates one’s own natural collagen once it has been injected into the skin. When the wrinkles are filled up with fillers, this exerts pressure on the fibroblasts in the area, and collagen is stimulated which then gets incorporated into the wrinkle area and causes prolonged filling effects and wrinkle improvement.

In addition, when the hyaluronic acid starts breaking down, this produces an intermediate fragment of hyaluronic acid which stimulates collagen resulting in prolonged beneficial effects of the filler…a win-win situation!

How is a Hyaluronic Acid Filler procedure done?

Just before the actual treatment, the area will be cleaned, and you may be given a topical anesthetic to numb the area prior to injection. Many filler products also contain lidocaine, a mild anesthetic, which is intended to help minimize discomfort during and after your treatment. Your provider will then inject a precise amount of filler strategically beneath the skin. Depending on the product and the areas treated, you should be able to notice results immediately after receiving filler injections. Some patients experience mild bruising and swelling, but these are temporary and should subside over the days following treatment. You will be able to go back to your normal activities right after treatment, but it is advisable to take the day off from exercise or other strenuous activity.

How long does a Hyaluronic Acid Filler shot last?

Hyaluronic acid fillers tend to be the most temporary option, and therefore are often recommended for first-time filler patients. These will typically last from 6 to 18 months.

Most will fill hollows, lines, and wrinkles in less than 30 minutes

Our Medical Doctor

The Doctor that will administer your procedure is Dr. Sandra Carstens

Dr. Carstens studied Pharmacy at North-West University, Medicine at Wits University, completed 7 years of internships, community service, and public service, and achieved a Diploma in Anaesthesia. Currently she runs a full time GP practice alongside the Renewal (Aesthetic) Clinic.

She aims to improve her patients’ quality of life by enhancing and managing their skin conditions and thus improving their confidence.

Dr. Carstens is always on standby on site at Renewal Clinic to enable her team to provide the optimal treatments. She also specializes in Chemical peels, PRP treatments, Aquagold intradermal injections, Botulinum toxin injections, Hyaluronic Acid Filler, Thread Lifting, and prescribing the optimal home care products.