We’ve got filler and fillers used interchangeably on the page, from a quick search through pages it looks like fillers is the one most used so best to stick with that all the way through.
Face and lip fillers are increasingly popular in the UK with 59% of people perceiving dermal fillers as comparable to getting a haircut or manicure. While the procedure is non-invasive, as with any medical procedure, it can come with risks. In recent years restrictions around dermal filler have been increased but you could still be a victim of medical negligence at the hands of your practitioner. Here are a few things to consider before getting any kind of treatment to ensure that you are as safe as possible.
What are dermal fillers?
Dermal filler is different to Botox as the goal is to smooth lines and wrinkles rather than ‘freeze’ the muscles to reduce wrinkles. Dermal fillers are injected beneath your skin using a needle and can be used to add volume in areas such as the lips and cheeks and smooth out wrinkles on the face.
The practitioner
In the UK, there are currently no rules on who can administer dermal fillers, which could put you at risk. While a new amendment to the Health and Care Bill was announced in 2022 to improve filler regulations, this could take up to two years to come into effect.
As such, it is highly important to do some background research on your potential practitioner. You should look for a practitioner with experience and training. Someone with a medical background is always likely to be best as they have anatomical and pharmaceutical expertise which can reduce the risk of any side effects or complications.
Professionals suitable for administering dermal filler are:
- Cosmetic doctors
- Dentists
- Nurses
- Surgeons
- Dermatologists
The potential side effects
While serious side effects are rare, after having filler of any kind you may experience, bruising, redness, pain and swelling – all of which should subside within two weeks. People may also get raised bumps under their skin that need to be treated with medications, injections or surgically removed.
While rare, filler can be injected into a blood vessel accidentally which can lead to blurred vision or permanent blindness. This is why choosing an experienced practitioner with a medical background is recommended as their knowledge of anatomy reduces the risk of accidents like this happening.
If you have recently had fillers and experienced a lot of pain or notice the skin turning blue around the injection site you should call your doctor or go to your nearest A&E as this could be a sign that the filler is in your bloodstream.
Consider why you want the procedure
Before committing to a cosmetic procedure for aesthetic reasons, you should consider why you want to change the way that you look. Due to the increasing pressure of social media, young people are increasingly turning to cosmetic procedures to get the ‘perfect’ body.
If you do decide that you want fillers you can speak to a professional, such as a GP or mental health professional, or have a consultation with your potential practitioner to weigh up the pros and cons of the procedure.
