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You have likely seen someone on social media, tv or in the magazines recently that look frozen and unnatural, this could be due to excess fillers. With the rise in popularity of this treatment, the number of clinics offering this service has surged. Unfortunately, this can mean some clinics provide the service without their staff having sufficient training in facial anatomy.

In this article we’ll cover some of the risks associated with dermal fillers, how to choose the right provider, what to expect from the procedure and the benefits when it is administered correctly.

Choosing the right plastic surgeon

Choosing the right plastic surgeon is critical to achieving natural, long lasting results. At Mark Lee Specialist Plastic Surgeon, our dermal fillers are administered by highly experienced, accredited and registered nurses and overseen by one of our plastic surgeons.

Before the procedure we offer a comprehensive consultation, which assesses your suitability for the treatment. We analyse your face, discuss your treatment goals and ask about any medical conditions you may have or any medications that you may be taking. We then determine the best product for your treatment and address any concerns that you may have.

Choosing the right procedure

Dr Mark Lee works closely with each of our patients to ensure we provide the right procedure to achieve the desired results. For example, a non-surgical nose job, could be a great option for some depending on their desired results. However, if this is not administered correctly it can cause disproportionate widening of the nasal bridge – dubbed Avatar nose.

Other procedures that we often see go wrong are overfilling of the chin resulting in an unnatural, sharp chin, overfilling of the forehead which removes natural contours, and filler fatigue. To avoid filler fatigue which requires patients to have frequent top-ups to avoid saggy looking skin, as well as other complications, choosing the right surgeon who tailors the treatment to your skin and unique concerns is vital.

What to expect during the procedure

Depending upon the extent of your treatment, the procedure will last anywhere from a few minutes to one hour. The area will be cleaned and a topical anaesthetic or an injection of local anaesthetic will be administered to numb the treatment area. Then a precise amount of hyaluronic acid filler will be injected beneath the skin. The treatment area is then massaged and the results are evaluated. If needed, additional filler will be added.

After the procedure, you may experience some mild redness, stinging, swelling or bruising on the treatment area. This is temporary and should subside within a few days, with most patients able to resume normal activities, such as work, immediately afterwards. In some cases, you may be asked to refrain from strenuous exercise for 48 hours following the treatment.

Possible Risks

When considering both surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures, it’s critical to understand what you are committing to, including all of the benefits and risks associated with the treatment. In rare cases, dermal fillers have caused some individuals to become blind or have a stroke. This occurs when the injection hits the blood vessel and blocks it. Other complications include allergic reactions, vascular complications, scarring, asymmetry, inflammation, and bump formation.

The benefits when administered correctly

There is a reason that dermal fillers are one of the most popular facial rejuvenation techniques out there today. When administered correctly, the results are immediate, they smooth out your wrinkles and re-volumise your face. Patients can look significantly younger after their treatment, yet still natural and like themselves, with the results lasting anywhere from six to eighteen months.

To learn more, view our 3D simulation on Hyaluronic Acid Fillers or book in for a free consultation with Dr Mark Lee to discuss your individual needs

Cosmetic surgery is on the rise among men of all ages. Historically, the vast majority of patients were women however, the quest for youthfulness in the workplace and beyond has seen a surge in male interest in procedures. This is fuelled by the fact that procedures are becoming less invasive, with minimal downtime and natural, long lasting results. Men typically seek more preventative treatments to slow signs of aging and to enhance signature male features.

Key differences in male procedures

Skin

Androgen (testosterone) stimulation causes an increase in the skins thickness, resulting in male skin to be around 25% thicker and tougher than females. Therefore, as a result of this, men can have fewer superficial wrinkles and fewer lines around the mouth, compared to women.

Muscle mass and fat

Men tend to have more muscle mass and less subcutaneous fat than women, which leads to different injection techniques. As a result, men need 1.5 to 2 times the amount of product compared to females to treat a particular area.

Trends in male cosmetic procedures

Male Breast Reduction (Gynecomastia)

The most common procedure for men, Gynecomastia is a medical term for enlarged feminised breasts in men which often occurs as a result of a various number of factors such as a hormone imbalance or weight gain. Dr Mark Lee uses a combination of ultrasonic liposuction, short scar direct excision and, if needed, skin reduction, to reduce the breast size. These procedures are popular as they augment and contour the chest.

Liposuction

Male clients typically use liposuction to augment and enhance muscle, most commonly focused on “love handles” and the abdomen. Abdominoplasty, commonly referred to as a tummy tuck, removes excess skin and underlying fat from the lower abdomen resulting in tightening the waistline. This form of liposuction is hugely popular amongst men and women for its long lasting, silhouette changing results.

Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)

Men first notice signs of aging around their eyes with their eye bags or excess eyelid skin making them look older. This procedure is performed on either the upper or lower lids (often both) and removes the excess skin to smooth wrinkles and make the eye area smoother and more youthful in appearance. Eyelid surgery can be one of the quickest and simplest ways to produce a very dramatic improvement in appearance with a relatively quick recovery period.

Dermal Fillers

Fillers are ideal for replacing loss of volume in the face and for the treatment of frown lines and deep smile lines. Men like this procedure as the results can create a more youthful, but still natural, complexion.

For males, Dermal fillers are commonly used to:

  • Minimise deep facial creases and superficial fine lines
  • Add lift and volume to the midface
  • Reduce the appearance of jowls (sagging skin)
  • Add projection and definition to a weak chin or jawline
  • Improve appearance of acne scars

To learn more about our non-surgical treatments, or book in for a consultation with Dr Mark Lee to discuss your individual needs. Choosing to have plastic surgery is a serious personal decision and undertaking. Please be mindful that any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks.

A dermal filler is a gel injected into the skin, specifically designed to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, contour the face and create volume. When administered correctly by an experienced cosmetic professional, dermal fillers can help you achieve a more youthful and invigorated look.

Dermal fillers contain a substance that replicates the actions of a naturally occurring sugar molecule, attracting and holding water to assist with skin hydration. The product is injected under the skins surface to “fill in” and “plump up” the static facial wrinkles that are present at rest.

Although most well-known for plumping pouts and enhancing cheek bones, dermal fillers are a versatile treatment that can be used in a range of areas of your face to reshape and increase volume. Fillers can be injected into the lips to add volume, around the eyes to minimise crow’s feet and into the cheeks and jawline for enhanced definition.

Recently, the addition of local anaesthetic in dermal fillers has made the experience much more comfortable for patients, reducing discomfort and numbing the injected area. If pain is a concern, numbing cream can also be applied to the area before treatment begins.

Dermal fillers come in a range of consistencies that are used on different areas of the face. From very light textures for delicate areas such as the lips, to denser consistencies for larger areas with deeper folds. Results are often instant and can last from three to six months.

Dr Lee and his team have launched a new clinic called Enhance, specialising in dermal fillers and other non-surgical cosmetic alternatives. Our fully accredited registered nurses will carry out your treatment, overseen by a specialist plastic surgeon for your peace of mind. The extensive experience and anatomical understanding of facial muscles means we can determine the optimum placement and quantity of filler you require.

If you’d like to explore the possibility of dermal fillers, we offer a free initial consultation to determine your specific requirements and desired look.

We would love to hear from you on 9382 3340 or click here to make an obligation free appointment to discuss your Enhance treatment options.

Useful Links

What you need to know about non-surgical procedures