Dermal Fillers

What are dermal fillers?

Where botulinum toxins target expression lines, dermal fillers can target all forms of lines. They can also target folds to lift them and add volume where required - to address the volume loss that occurs as a natural process over time, or to augment natural features, the lips being a common example.

The JCCP regulate their members for what are loosely termed the ‘temporary’ and ‘semi-permanent’ dermal fillers.

Types of dermal filler

How dermal fillers are classified

Dermal fillers are classified as medical devices. This can offer a certain amount of protection in terms of product quality; however, the restrictions are not as significant as for prescription medicines even though risks can be significant.

The procedure

1. 1Before treatmentYour practitioner will explain the full procedure. Dermal fillers are presented as a gel in a sterile, pre-filled syringe. You will have agreed the use of one or more syringes prior to treatment, and discussed options, where required, for pain control.
2. 2TreatmentThere are various techniques to inject the filler into or underneath the skin, targeting the specified area to achieve the agreed result.
3. 3ResultsThe result is immediate, but several days are sometimes required for any swelling and redness to settle. The treatment should last between 6 to 18 months, on average, depending on the product used and the location of treatment.
4. 4AftercareYou should be made familiar with the product used, where it has been used, and the specific aftercare instructions.

Effects and benefits

The effects can be as subtle or dramatic as required but should always be natural in appearance and proportion. Treatments range from superficial injection in the skin to smooth out fine lines, through slightly deeper placement to support folds, to the more demanding process of providing larger amounts of volume where required. The ‘liquid face-lift’ is so called because it targets specific areas to provide both volume and structural support in order to lift.

Risks and side-effects

Your practitioner will discuss these complications with you and explain the measures to be taken to minimise or avoid harm being caused.

Advertising and consultation

There are no legal advertising restrictions for medical devices. However, statutory regulated professionals consider that promotions which are seen to entice the public are unethical, and as such, contrary to their regulations. This standard is applied by JCCP and CPSA.

There is no legal requirement for a face to face consultation with a prescriber. However, considering the potential risks, HEE and consequently JCCP have subjected dermal fillers to the same process as prescription medicines, so face to face consultations are expected practice for all of our registrants. This is because the management of dermal filler complications requires timely access to prescription medicines.

Information sheet and standards

What training does a practitioner need?