Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers are non-permanent fillers made of Hyaluronic acid, so they are natural. They act like a sponge attracting and holding water and forming a volume replacement in place of your receding fat compartments due to aging. This way the collapsing and sagging skin can be revolumised, so that deep wrinkles and folds smooth out; youthful curves reappear.

Mostly the signs of aging can be improved successfully with fillers, although in some cases genetically deep tear troughs, eye circles, nose deformations or retracted chin can be corrected too.
Anyone can benefit from fillers with the correction of weaknesses or preserving strengths via volume replacement.

• cheek filler: cheeks are the backbone of the face. They support the upper face and lift the lower face. Most of the cases Dr Bela starts his treatments on the cheeks.
• chin filler: very rarely asked for, but one of the most important areas to be treated. The weakness of the chin can be genetic or due to ageing. Chin treatments make a big difference in one’s appearance.
• lip filler: lips can be augmented and shaped alone in younger patients. Later on, the treatment of lips is an important part of the full face approach.
• eye fillers/tear trough fillers: formation of tear trough can be genetic or due to volume loss with ageing. Whatever the reason, it can be beautifully corrected with dermal fillers.
• temple fillers: Temple hollows are many times overlooked or can be easily hidden by hair, but their filler treatment makes a huge difference to the face, lift the eyes & brows and improve crow’s feet.
• forehead fillers: The volume loss due to ageing involves the forehead too. When it is obvious, it can be corrected with dermal fillers. Great synergy with Botox injections here.
• nose filler: Genetic or post-injury deformations of the nose can be corrected non-surgically with dermal fillers.
• hand fillers: The back of the hands are affected by sun exposure and volume loss as we age. The latter can be corrected with fillers giving the hands a rejuvenated, youthful look. Sun protection is also paramount.

The main product range that I use is the Juvéderm® VYCROSS® range from Allergan, the gold standard Hyaluronic Acid dermal filler.

Juvéderm® Voluma is the main volumiser giving back volume, structure and projection mainly to the cheeks, chin and temples.

Juvederm® Volift is suitable for more superficial structures like nasolabial lines or lips for fine-tuning these areas after volumisation of the main structures of the face.

Juvederm® Volbella has been developed for very delicate areas like under eye filler or lip filler.

I also use dermal fillers from the Juvéderm® Ultra range and Radiesse from Merz.

This is one of the main questions to be covered during the initial consultation when I give you an overall treatment plan or recommendation. I will show you and explain which areas of your face could be improved and why. Once you understand this, I will tell you which filler is recommended to be used in certain areas and how many syringes of fillers will give you the result we are looking for. This is the basis of the pricing too.

Once you have the overall plan and cost calculation you can schedule the time plan. Two to three syringes can be administered during one visit, but with more severe volume loss it can go up to five or six.

If you have an important date during the year, ie. your Birthday, Christmas or a one-off big event, like a wedding, you can time your best look according to this.

I recommend 3 to 5 weeks between visits to give time for the fillers to settle and integrate within the tissues. This way the next session can be planned and performed based on the results of the previous one.

The Juvéderm® VYCROSS® range has an outstanding longevity of 18 months, but my own clinical experience shows that with yearly top-ups a beautiful result can be maintained. So, there is an optimum and best look during the months once your filler treatments are finished and then a slow decline (reabsorption of fillers) starts. Having known this, we can time your treatments achieving your best look when it is most important to you.

Please note, to build up a face takes much more dermal filler than maintaining the results. I recommend yearly top-ups instead of letting the fillers wear off completely consequently having to build it up again.

Down time after fillers depend on the area treated. Lips swell up for two days while on the rest of the face there is nothing else but a slight redness after the procedure. Bruising can happen even with the most careful technique, although rarely.
Tell Dr Bela if you use blood thinning treatment or stop taking any omega 3 and 6 supplements at least 5 days prior your procedure.
Most patients can socialise on the same day without any obvious visual effects after treatments.

Your treatment is teamwork. I will need your input, indicating areas most important for you. The final treatment plan is based on my analysis of your face and our discussion on that basis. I might not treat some of those areas you pointed out directly because indirect improvement from the treatment of other important structures of your face is a major component.

Natural results are based on careful analysis and planning. Small amounts of fillers in certain points of the face can result in a beautiful look. The 8 point face lift® and the MD Codes® are based on this approach. This way big amount of fillers shouldn’t be administered in one’s face for big budgets. This is the basis of a natural look with dermal fillers.

The Juvéderm® VYCROSS® range has an outstanding longevity of 18 months, but my own clinical experience shows that with yearly top-ups a beautiful result can be maintained. So, there is an optimum and best look during the months once your filler treatment is finished and then a slow decline (reabsorption of fillers) starts. Having known this, we can time your treatments achieving your best look when it is most important to you.

Juvéderm® Voluma as the strongest filler has the best longevity with well over a year. Volift and Volbella since being more delicate fillers have a shorter longevity.
Fillers duration also depends on the location being injected. The continuous movement of the lips results in a shorter duration close to 9 months.

Study shows that in the case of patients with previous filler treatments, the amount and density of anchoring collagen was significantly greater compared to those without treatment. This way the ‘velcro’, the retaining ligaments which anchor the skin to deeper tissues become much stronger so that we can prevent having a surgical facelift.
These observations are consistent with previous observations regarding the collagen stimulating capacity of dermal fillers.

Usually, I recommend fillers when they are needed, due to the appearance of signs of ageing. Typically this is the hollowness under the eyes or the weakness of the chin during the late thirties.
In the case of some genetic alterations, one can have a deep tear trough which can be beautifully corrected at any age when it becomes distressing for the patient. If you think you might benefit from volumizing dermal fillers book in for an initial consultation.

Following your treatment, it is important not to touch the treated area or apply makeup for at least six hours. This is to reduce the risk of injection-site infection. For the same reason don’t exercise the same day. Apply cold packs on lips when treated to reduce swelling. For tenderness or swelling of the injected area, non-prescription analgesia can be useful.

The initial consultation is the most important part of your journey in facial aesthetics if you are new to it. Almost all patients have a different degree of misunderstanding regarding dermal fillers and Botox injections. After the initial consultation with Dr Bela, you will have a good understanding of the most important aspects of your treatment such as your treatment plan, product selection, your safety, results, longevity and budget. With this information, you will be able to make an informed decision about your look and treatments.

It might take years for patients to make a decision to book in for a consultation, which they regret: “I wish I had started my treatments earlier” – as patients say.