How safe are fillers?
We have all seen an episode on television where various complications of cosmetic procedures were discussed. We can well imagine that this might make you doubt whether a filler is safe. The answer is YES! Provided it is injected by an experienced doctor and an A-quality filler with CE marking.
As a consumer, how do you make healthy and informed choices?
(Lip) Filler trend
Especially among a young audience, lip fillers are a huge trend. Social media is increasing the visibility and reach so that in a short time lip fillers are more popular than ever before. The especially young girls want fuller than full lips and look for their examples in, for example, the Kardashians or other celebrities. The motivations are increasingly trend-related and less often a consideration from a medical-aesthetic aspect, such as correcting a-symmetry or crookedness.
Therefore, at Ivy clinics a natural result is always the first priority. Our doctors apply multiple techniques such as linear filling or with the russian technique. Every shape of lips needs a different approach. In addition, we never inject too many fillers into lips so that accumulations or other problems arise.
Other filler treatments
Common reasons someone considers a filler are volume loss, a tired/angry appearance or puffiness. A filler realizes youthfulness – in an instant – by temporarily restoring volume loss and refreshes the face. Benefits that are attractive within today’s society where there is an increasing emphasis on beauty and beauty ideals.
Supply of fillers
A natural consequence of increasing need demand is increasing supply. Increase in practitioners and increase in fillers entering the market. For example, there are more than 100 types of fillers, the majority (majority) of which have not been adequately tested for long-term effects. The number of injecting beauticians has doubled in the past 10 years. The inspection speaks of a twilight zone here.
Permanent filler
Since 2015, the use of the permanent filler has been banned. It has been found that a permanent filler can lead to infections, encapsulation and allergic reactions. Permanent fillers can sag over the years. This can have major consequences, such as permanent facial deformation.
Temporary filler
A safe filler is the hyaluronic acid filler. Hyaluronic acid is one of our body’s building blocks. Thus, it is a body’s own substance that is broken down and absorbed by the body over time (months). The substance hyaluronic acid causes the skin to retain moisture, keeping the skin elastic. Hyaluronic acid also stimulates the production of collagen.
If the result of the filler is overwhelming or in a very exceptional case an allergic reaction occurs, the effect can be reversed with the enzyme hyaluronidase. Injecting this enzyme dissolves the hyaluronic acid.
Complications of temporary fillers
Though rare, complications – as with any cosmetic procedure – can occur. The most common complications are inflammation, formation of hard lumps and pain. These complications do not always have to occur immediately; sometimes they do not occur for months.
The complications in a row:
- Mild irritation: red, itchy. Usually these reactions disappear shortly after treatment.
- Lumps: the formation of small nodules can occur when the filler is encapsulated (this is very unlikely). This can be remedied with a hyaluronidase injection.
- Tyndell effect: the Tyndell effect is a bluish discoloration of the skin. This can occur when the wrong filler is used, too much or improperly injected.
- Secondary swelling: When an infection resides elsewhere in the body, it can have negative effects on the filler, it can become infected and swell. This secondary swelling is caused by the immune system “attacking” the infection and lasts up to 2 days. An ibuprofen/diclofenac tablet reduces the swelling.
- Blood vessel entrapment: when the filler is injected into a blood vessel, the blood supply to the skin may be blocked. An entrapment should be treated immediately with a hyaluronidase injection.
Unsafe injecting
In the Netherlands, any BIG registered physician may inject. This does not mean that every doctor is also competent. Do good research on the right clinic and doctor. Still too often basic rules such as hygiene, sterilization or shelf life and origin of fillers, are insufficiently respected.
Injecting safely
- As a consumer, when do you make an informed choice? We’ll help you with some tips:
- Always choose a filler that has been thoroughly researched.
- Choose a filler with a CE mark.
- Be well informed by the doctor and make a conscious choice.
- Immerse yourself in the doctor and his expertise. Pay attention to the choice of filler, injection technique, type of cannula and the knowledge of anatomy present.
- Inquire about emergency protocol.
Filler treatment at Ivy Clinics
All of the doctors at Ivy Clinics specialize in cosmetic treatments. They receive very regular training and make every effort to stay up to date with the latest developments. In addition, they are very experienced and affiliated with the NVCG. They perform treatments with the utmost care. Of course they are also all registered with the BIG-register. We also work exclusively with natural A-brand fillers such as Stylage, Belotero, Radiesse and Profhilo.
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Learn more about how we work or request a personal consultation with one of our cosmetic specialist doctors.
