Filler treatment

They are often mentioned in the same breath, but botox and fillers are two completely different products.

Fillers are devices used to correct volume loss and reduce wrinkles. There are several types of fillers on the market. Hyaluronic acid fillers contain the body’s own substance hyaluronic acid. Other fillers, such as Radiesse, fall under the heading of collagen-stimulating fillers. These fillers first add volume and then increase collagen. At Ivy clinics, we only work with temporary fillers; these are broken down by the body itself. Depending on the type of filler and where it was injected, it disappears after 12-18 months.

Botulinum toxin is a protein extracted from the bacterium clostridium botulinum. It is a drug that has been successfully used in the medical and cosmetic industries for many years. Botulinum toxin blocks the stimulus transmission from the brain to the muscles. This prevents the formation of a wrinkle. The effect of botulinum toxin can be seen after 2-4 days and works optimally after 14 days.

About 80% of all fillers used worldwide are hyaluronic acid fillers. This is a substance native to the body that decreases in quantity as you age. This substance is degradable and the result is therefore temporary.

Hyaluronic acid fillers, such as Stylage, Belotero, Restylane and Juvederm, have the property of filling and firming the skin. In addition, hyaluronic acid has the unique ability to attract water which provides deep hydration to the skin.

Allergic reactions occur little to not at all, as hyaluronic acid also occurs naturally in the body. Therefore, these fillers are safe and reliable. Different thicknesses of all brands of hyaluronic acid are available. The doctor will choose a filler with a different thickness for cheekbones than for treating the lips, for example. This is mainly due to the depth at which the filler can be injected into a particular area.

Another filler is calcium hydroxylapatite (Radiesse). This is a mineral-based collagen stimulating filler. The filler works for about 3-4 months and then the filler is broken down by the body. This breakdown process releases calcium, creating natural volumes. The effect of a hydroxylapatite filler is about 12 months, possibly longer. However, this filler is not suitable for treating indications such as the tear trough and in the lips.

Then there is also a polylactic acid filler (Sculptra). This filler stimulates the skin’s natural collagen production, reshaping the skin’s structure. The filler must be repeated a number of times (at least four times) with an interval of about three weeks to achieve optimal results.

Ivy clinics only works with temporary fillers. Permanent fillers are banned in the Netherlands because they regularly caused complications in the past. Always report it to the doctor, if you have ever been treated with a permanent filler, to avoid problems.

The administration of fillers is relatively safe as long as certain conditions are met. A filler treatment is safe provided the treatment is performed by a competent doctor, with a safe product and you yourself are in good health.

First, the doctor must be knowledgeable about the anatomy of the face. It is important to know where blood vessels and nerves run. The doctor must also have thorough knowledge of underlying ligaments such as the fat layers, the periosteum (upper membrane on the skull) and the space between them. Therefore, only have yourself treated by a cosmetic doctor KNMG. This way you are assured of the doctor’s knowledge and expertise.

At Ivy clinics, we only work must filler products that have been extensively researched and tested. Our A-brand fillers all carry the CE mark. Hyaluronic acid fillers can be dissolved with hyaluronidase. Therefore, should a bulge occur unexpectedly in one area, it is relatively easy to dissolve. In addition, we practically never see allergic reactions with hyaluronic acid fillers because it is a substance naturally occurring in the body.

Finally, it is important for safety that you yourself are in good health. In any case, we do not recommend the use of fillers if you have been treated with permanent fillers, are (possibly) pregnant or breastfeeding and if you have an infection or rash in the area to be treated.

Hyaluronic acid fillers are visible for about 9 to 18 months depending on the site. In the lips, the effect is visible for about 6 to 12 months. This is because this is a well-circulated area where there is a lot of movement, so the filler is broken down faster. In a tear duct or cheekbone, the filler is placed deeper and the effect can be visible for up to 12 to 18 months.

So when you need to repeat the filler treatment to maintain the result depends on where the filler is injected, as well as the thickness of the filler.

Fillers basically do not affect mimicry when used normally. When using botox, this is precisely the desired effect. This is because botulinum toxin affects muscle activity. A conscious decision is then made to reduce facial expression by treating a frown, for example, after which you can no longer look angry. When the forehead is treated, you can no longer look as surprised.

At Ivy clinics, we believe it is important to maintain a natural look. Therefore, our doctors will not over-treat with botox. Rather, we reduce muscle tension without changing the entire facial expression.

Injectables fall under the principle of “lunchtime treatment. This means that, in theory, you could do it on your lunch break. This gives the impression that there is never any downtime after a filler treatment. However, this is not always the case. Often there is some swelling at the injection site and the treated area can be red and sensitive. We therefore recommend to take some time for the treatment and not to schedule important (work) appointments immediately after the treatment.

For the administration of botulinum toxin, you do not need to consider downtime. It is not wise to exercise immediately after the treatment, but otherwise you can just resume your daily activities. Ten minutes after the treatment, nothing will be visible. The effect of the treatment becomes gradually visible after a few days.

Treatments with fillers are available at all Ivy clinics locations. We are located in Amsterdam, Amstelveen, Den Bosch and Westervoort.

All doctors working at Ivy clinics have extensive experience performing filler treatments. They are listed in the BIG register and are affiliated with the Dutch Society for Cosmetic Medicine. Founder and owner Natale Adamo is also a certified cosmetic doctor, KNMG.