Hyaluronic Acid Dermal Fillers

Hyaluronic acid is a sterile gel consisting of non-animal sugar chain molecules and a local anaesthetic called lidocaine. The sterile gel is injected into the skin to:

• correct facial lines, wrinkles and folds
• adding lost volume caused by aging
• shaping facial contours
• enhancing specific areas such as lips
• rejuvenating and hydrating the skin

Dermal fillers should not be used if any of the following applies: you are taking certain medications such as cimetidine or beta-blockers; you have an autoimmune disease such as lupus, rhematoid arthiritis, unstable type 1 diabetes; or, if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or trying to conceive.  The lidocaine in the product may produce a positive result in anti-doping tests.

Products used are:

Common Side Effects:

These usually resolve spontaneously within hours or days, but may persist for longer, are:

• Pain or stinging sensation when the injection is performed.
• Swelling to the body of the lip, lip border, peri-oral region (above the top lip).
• Redness and/or tenderness to the lip and lower face region.
• Bleeding at the site of injection.
• Bruising and occasionally this bruising can be severe and persist for several weeks.
• Numbness or itching of the area following injection.
• Sebaceous glands on the lips (called fordyce spots) can be more visible.

Whilst it is not expected, it is possible that reactions described (such as swelling, bruising and tenderness) may persist for longer than expected and may inhibit your confidence to attend work or social events. You are advised to schedule treatment with this in mind, allowing time for common reactions to settle.

Uncommon Side Effects:

• nfection.
• Inflammation that may occur within a few days or weeks to months following treatment.
• Skin discolouration that may occur within a few days or weeks-months following treatment.
• Allergic or sensitivity reaction, which may be local (redness, itching, rash at the site of treatment) or a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) requiring hospital treatment.
• Absess formation.
• Prolonged swelling that may occur early or after several weeks.
• Persistent lumps, nodules or papules.
• Acne like formations.
• A foreign body reaction known as Granuloma presenting as lumps or nodules.
• The blood supply to the skin may be interrupted by swelling or inadvertent injection into a vessel - causing pain, skin damage and possible scarring.
• Though rare in the extreme, transient visual disturbance or permanent blindness has been reported following injectable cosmetic treatments.

• Infection.
• Inflammation that may occur within a few days or weeks to months following treatment.
• Skin discolouration that may occur within a few days or weeks-months following treatment.
• Allergic or sensitivity reaction, which may be local (redness, itching, rash at the site of treatment) or a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) requiring hospital treatment.
• Absess formation.
• Prolonged swelling that may occur early or after several weeks.
• Persistent lumps, nodules or papules.
• Acne like formations.
• A foreign body reaction known as Granuloma presenting as lumps or nodules.
• The blood supply to the skin may be interrupted by swelling or inadvertent injection into a vessel - causing pain, skin damage and possible scarring.
• Though rare in the extreme, transient visual disturbance or permanent blindness has been reported following injectable cosmetic treatments.