Dermal fillers can be used to treat a wide range of skin concerns, everything from lack of volume in the cheeks or lips to fine lines and wrinkles; they are one of the most popular procedures available. As a non-permanent treatment, fillers are the perfect alternative to permanent cosmetic surgery.

But can fillers look natural? Will they look plastic or puffy? Knowing how fillers work is key to understanding how a natural look is achievable. Read on to find out more.

What Are Dermal Fillers and How Do They Work?

Dermal filler treatments involve injecting a medically developed gel-like substance under the skin with a fine needle.

The filler is made from a type of hyaluronic acid, mimicking the clear substance found naturally in the body, mostly in the skin, connective tissue and eyes. Its main function is to keep your tissues well lubricated and moist. By binding to water, hyaluronic acid helps to keep everything well hydrated.

When the hyaluronic acid is injected under the skin, it soon begins to integrate into your facial tissue, attracting water molecules and hydrating the surrounding area. If done properly, this should leave you with a natural, rejuvenated look.

Treatments are short and simple but as with any cosmetic procedure, there are some risks. Always consult with professionals first before having the treatment so that you are fully aware of any side effects or symptoms you should or shouldn’t expect.

Are Dermal Fillers Permanent?

Fillers are not permanent, as your body slowly and naturally breaks down the hyaluronic acid.

The thinner fillers used for fine lines and wrinkles tend to last 6 to 9 months, while the fillers used for volumising cheeks or lips can last up to 2 years. The benefit of this is that you can control your looks subtly as they continue to change in the future.

Achieving natural-looking lip fillers or facial fillers is very dependent on the quality of the product used and the skill, expertise and experience of the practitioner carrying out the procedure.

How Do Fillers Go Wrong?

Results from fillers will of course depend on the individual – their skin, age, facial structure and other considerations. The face has many sensitive structures lying just underneath the skin, like nerves, blood vessels, and your eyes. If the practitioner administering the filler injections doesn’t understand the anatomy of the face, they will not know which areas to avoid, and mistakes are very likely to happen.

However, the main causes of all the problems seen in celebrity facial cosmetic disasters are usually a result of over-filling or using the wrong type of product. When too much filler is injected, the natural appearance is distorted and can end up looking totally out of proportion.

Different treatments also require different types of filler. Cheek and lip fillers require a thicker or more dense product, filling in lines or wrinkles utilising a thinner filler. The products vary in how they should be used and have differing amounts of the active ingredient, which is why they give very different effects.

How To Get Natural Looking Fillers

In reality, it is practically impossible for a properly trained, responsible professional to ‘over-do’ fillers in a single, well-planned session. A good practitioner will explain the ideal treatment plan, tailoring it to the individual and guiding you away from treatments that will give you poor aesthetic results or are not clinically viable.

Natural results need a detailed and carefully thought out treatment plan, with different types of fillers placed with professional expertise, precisely to support the overall look and balance of the face.

When administered correctly by a medical professional, dermal fillers can subtly soften, smooth, contour and tone the skin, restore youthful plumpness and volume and enhance and define the features.

Having a balanced approach, with a clear plan and an expert practitioner, carried out in a clinical setting are all factors that will be key in having great, natural-looking results.

Why Come To Sk:n For Your Dermal Fillers

Here at sk:n your dermal fillers will always be carried out by one of our highly trained experts who will assess your needs, suitability and determine the most appropriate form of treatment. The procedure is carried out in a clinical setting for your safety and peace of mind and we only use the highest quality products from Juvéderm®, the world’s #1 brand. 

In a joint mission to improve patient safety and public protection, sk:n has also partnered with the Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners (JCCP) in the hope that this new union will accelerate regulation in the aesthetics industry.

Darren Grassby, CEO for sk:n said: “At sk:n, our Medical Standards Committee has set out medical standards to ensure that we deliver only the safest and highest quality treatments in appropriate, clinical environments delivered by highly trained and experienced practitioners. This ensures our clients receive the highest standard of care, safety, and treatment. We are passionate about safeguarding members of the public and are delighted to make a stance in the industry by partnering with the JCCP to inform and campaign for statutory regulations that reflect our own values.”

Key Learnings

• Dermal fillers are an injectable cosmetic procedure used to enhance, sculpt and define facial features.
• When administered correctly by a medical professional, dermal fillers can subtly soften, smooth, contour and tone the skin, restore youthful plumpness and volume and enhance and define the features.
• Plastic or puffy looking features after having fillers are usually caused by improper injection techniques or an inexperienced or unqualified practitioner using the wrong type of filler products.
• Unwanted results can also be due to too much filler being administered.
• Having a balanced approach, with a clear plan and an expert practitioner, carried out in a clinical setting are all factors that will be key in having great, natural-looking results.

Find your nearest clinic and arrange a consultation with one of our dermatologists for advice on how dermal fillers can work for you.