Dermal fillers are a relatively safe and non-invasive procedure when carried out by a trained professional. So, we were particularly pleased when the Department of Health announced the launch of a new campaign to tackle ‘botched’ cosmetic procedures. There is a particular focus on people seeking surgeries abroad, as well as the use of self-injected dermal fillers.
We welcome the new campaign; indeed, we feel it is long overdue. Unscrupulous practitioners have for too long made a lot of money by exploiting unknowing consumers, and it is high time that more regulation was introduced.
According to a BBC report, the campaign will seek to ensure the public is fully informed about the importance of seeing professional advice regarding dermal fillers and cosmetic surgery. In addition, the campaign will also tackle the number of ‘botched’ procedures and the resulting impact on the person’s mental and physical health, as well as the cost to the NHS of providing treatment for people whose surgery has gone wrong.
The problem is of particular concern to the government as the rise of celebrities sharing their procedures online has led to an increase in uptake which is also affected by the rising availability and affordability of procedures.
Self-injected dermal fillers are of particular concern. A Google search for ‘buy dermal fillers online’ shows a worryingly ease of availability of materials to inject at home. And whilst the ingredients of these fillers are published, how is a lay-person able to make an assessment of the quality of these products and judge whether they are safe to use? Plus, there’s the issue of how and where to inject the fillers, not only from a safety point of view, but from the perspective of getting the desired results.
No surgical or dermal filler treatment is risk free, of course, but you can minimise these risks by having your treatment carried out by experienced plastic surgeons. Here at Manchester Plastic Surgery, Mr Christopher Jones leads on our dermal filler treatments. When you attend your initial consultation, the first step in any treatment with us, Mr Jones will spend time discussing the potential risks. These include:
- Localised reaction at the injection sites resulting in redness and swelling. This typically goes away after a day or so.
- Occasionally, reactions can cause itching and hardness and pumps in the skin, both of which can be treated if they don’t settle, and sometimes patients experience bruising of the skin.
- If you are prone to cold sores, you may find that you have a flare-up after having dermal filler injections.
During this initial consultation, we will help you decide if dermal fillers are the right approach for you. Whilst this is a highly effective treatment for lines and wrinkles, it’s important for you to get a good idea of the results we are likely to be able to achieve for you before you decide to go ahead. We also offer anti-wrinkle injections as an alternative.
Treatment involves a local anaesthetic and is relatively straight-forward, taking 30 – 40 minutes in most cases. The effects are immediately visible though they will be at their best after two to three days. We will provide you with all the after-care advice and support you need to care for your skin after treatment.
Find out more about our dermal fillers and anti-wrinkle injections or contact us to book your initial consultation.
