Also known as dermal fillers, injectable fillers and soft tissue fillers
Why Fillers?
Over time, an increasing loss of volume in the face occurs due to degrading of skin tissue and slowing down of the regeneration process. As a result, facial lines become more prominent, the skin more lax and facial volume deflates. Dermal fillers are a non-surgical, minimally invasive cosmetic treatment for adding back volume to areas of the face, giving them a refreshed and more youthful appearance. Treatment with dermal fillers can help to tighten skin & restore tone and texture, help smooth out folds and wrinkles, add volume to the lips, and contour facial features that have lost their fullness. This results in a more radiant and youthful appearance. 

Fillers are made up of hyaluronic acid (HA), a natural complex sugar that is found in skin and soft tissues throughout the body, is typically considered biocompatible and is dissolvable with the enzyme hyaluronidase. Most fillers also contain numbing lidocaine to help minimize discomfort. There are a number of HA fillers available on the market, each differing in their product consistency, longevity, and clinical appearance. Dermal fillers are manufactured, usually through fermentation and cross linking with proteins to produce a clear, sterile gel for injection. Some products (due to complexity of cross-linking) will be stiffer with a longer longevity and best suited to stimulate lost bone and cartilage. Those with less cross-linking typically are softer appearing under the skin and better suited to fill out lips, creases and tear troughs. Fully maximizing the properties of each filler requires careful evaluation of the target area(s) is being volumized and the underlying tissue being stimulated.
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Overview of Fillers
Fillers often differ in the following characteristics: time until onset, longevity, viscosity (G' prime), the areas of use each filler is approved for, reversibility and pricing.
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​Onset & Longevity
 Dermal fillers allow for immediate onset of volume replenishment, making them appealing for patients who prefer to see instant improvement with minimal down time. The longevity of a product depends not only on the product itself but also the patient's facial movements and metabolism. For example, filler in the chin will last longer than filler in the cheeks or lips because the chin is less active in comparison. Patients with naturally higher metabolisms will break down the filler more quickly than others and will therefore need more frequent maintenance sessions. HA fillers are advertised to last anywhere between 6-12 months which means that at the 6th month mark, half the filler has already been dissolved and only half remains. Maintenance is highly recommended for all filler procedures because once the half life of a filler is reached, a noticeable amount of volume is gone. When a patient has regular touch ups on their pre-existing treatment area, they require less filler with better results after each visit. Layering filler this way gives the most natural and long lasting results.
Length of Treatment Procedure: The duration of each filler procedure depends on the area being treated but typically, excluding the pre-procedure numbing and marking process, takes anywhere between 20-30 minutes.

Viscosity
Fillers with low to moderate viscosity are thinner. These fillers are best suited for areas with dermal thinness such as under the eyes or to hydrate naturally full lips. Patients who desire soft and subtle tissue augmentation also benefit from fillers with lower viscosity. Alternatively, fillers with moderate to high viscosity are thicker and often used in areas with thicker skin, firmer tissue (e.g. cartilage or bone simulation) or in areas where patients want to see a more sculpted and defined look, such as the cheekbones or jawline. In some cases, a patient's age alone can influence the viscosity of fillers used. A younger patient with strong one structure will often o well with  softer filler o highlight their natural structures, whereas an older patient may need  a thicker filler that provides more support for restoration and rejuvenation of deflated tissue.

Reversibility
All hyaluronic based fillers can be effectively dissolved with the enzyme hyaluronidase. Cindy only uses hyaluronic fillers at this time.
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Procedure Preparation

​What to do, & What to avoid before your treatment with fillers:
In order to reduce the amount of bruising and/or swelling from the injection site(s), please consider the following instructions:
  • Avoid blood thinning over-the-counter elective medications such as Aspirin, Motrin, Ibuprofen, and Aleve for one week prior to treatment. Please consult your physician or nurse practitioner if you are taking Aspirin or other prescribed blood thinners (e.g. Warfarin, Plavix, Pradaxa) for medical reasons!
  • Avoid supplements including St. Johns Wort, Gingko Biloba, Primrose oil, garlic, ginseng and vitamin E for one week prior.
  • Avoid topical products such as Trentinoin (Retin-A), Retinols, Retinoids, Glycolic Acid, or any "Anti-Aging" products for 3 days prior.
  • Avoid waxing, bleaching, tweezing, dermaplaning or hair removal cream on the area to be treated for 3 days prior. 
  • Do not drink alcohol beverages for 24 hours prior to treatment.
  • If you have previously suffered from facial cold sores, there is a risk that the needle punctures could contribute to another eruption of cold sores. The risk of dermal fillers causing a cold sore outbreak is very low - estimated less than 1.45%. Please let Cindy know if you are prone to cold sores because we may advise that you take an anti-viral medication. If you do have a cold sore break out afterward, please contact Cindy or seek medical advice. 
  • If you have had a recent infection (e.g. sinusitis, skin or tooth infection) please let Cindy know as it may increase your risks such that dermal filler treatment may need to be delayed slightly.
  • Dermal filler treatment will need to be delayed if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. It is also not the right treatment for you if you are allergic to any ingredients (e.g. lidocaine), suffer  from neurological disorders (e.g. MS, ALS, Myasthenia Gravis, Guillain-Barre) or autoimmune disorders. Please inform Cindy if you have any questions about this prior to your appointment.​​
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What to Expect
​Day of Treatment
  • Arrive to the office with a "clean face" washed and without makeup. If you need, Cindy can provide facial wipes for pre-procedure cleaning.
  • In order to maximize your comfort during the procedure, a topical anesthetic may be applied. This usually takes 20-30 minutes to be effective so plan to show up 30 minutes before your appointment time in order for Cindy to touch base and apply this numbing cream.
  • Before your treatment begins, you will need to complete a medical history form and have "before" pictures taken.

​Procedure Time
  • Dermal fillers are injected into soft tissue with a very fine needle or cannula. The results can often be seen immediately. While treatment is generally fast, safe and with minimal side effects, it is common to experience mild redness, swelling, bruising and tenderness for a few days. If you had topical anesthetic cream applied before your procedure, it's normal to feel like the pain is getting worse as the effects of this cream wear off. There is also numbing lidocaine within the filler as well. If you're in pain, apply a cold compress to the area to help reduce swelling.  ​​

Where We Treat With Filler

*Results may vary from patient to patient
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​Possible Side Effects

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  • red, swollen, bruised or discoloured skin
  • itchy skin
  • lumpy skin
  • prolonged firmness
  • bleeding
  • pain
  • infection
  • an abscess, a nodule or a granuloma (a small area of inflammation)
  • local necrosis (tissue death)
  • an allergic reaction
  • acne
  • in rare cases, a scab can form where the treatment was administered, which can result in a scar​
  • in very rare cases, vascular occlusion can lead to blindness

Treatment around the eyes and upper face can result in:
  • swollen, bruised, lumpy or discoloured skin
  • infection
  • scarring
  • an abscess forming
  • hemorrhage of the eyes
  • double vision, or loss of vision​​
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Cost

The cost of filler treatment will depend on the area of treatment and volume of filler used. At Natural Beauty Medical Aesthetics we only use hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers. The benefit of using a HA filler is that if the need arises, the HA filler can be dissolved with the enzyme hyaluronidase. It is important to know that tissue fillers are not permanent and may last from 3 to 24 months depending on the area treated and filler used.

We take the "less is more" approach when it comes to soft tissue filler treatments to ensure that your result always looks naturally beautiful. For first timers we usually stay on the cautious side with how much product we initially use, but we always invite all our clients back for a complimentary follow-up appointment at 2-3 weeks post-treatment so that we can review your results and if needed, plan for additional treatment options. 

Like going to the salon for your hair or nail care, medical aesthetics is a service and priced as such. We also want to steer clear of ambiguous price "guesstimations" and let you know the cost of everything up front, so you can relax knowing exactly what you'll pay for the treatment. We believe our prices are competitive and affordable. We accept debit and most major credit cards...and soon will also offer financing. 

Pricing: from $450 per syringe

Aftercare

Within the first hour of treatment:
  • Immediately after treatment, there may be redness, bruising, swelling, tenderness, and/or itchiness near the injection site(s). This is normal and generally disappears within a few hours to a few days. Avoid scratching, massaging, or picking around the injection site(s). If these symptoms last more than 3 days, please contact our office.
  • As part of your aftercare you may take acetaminophen (Tylenol) to reduce any pain. Many clients also choose to use arnica creams/supplements to reduce bruising or eat pineapple which contains the natural anti-inflammatory bromelain.
  • You may gently apply a covered ice pack to the treated area for 10 minutes an hour for the first 3 hours following the injection. Apply lightly, do not use too much pressure.
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​Within 6 to 10 hours of treatment:
  • Avoid drinking alcohol or partaking in strenuous exercise, as it may result in additional bruising. 
  • Until the swelling and redness have resolved, avoid intense heat in the treated area(s). This includes sunbathing, tanning, saunas, hot tubs, or hot wax. Also avoid extreme cold such as skiing or other winter sports. 
  • To help alleviate bruising, we recommend the topical application of Arnica (every 2 hours) - a natural ointment commonly used to reduce bruising. You can find this in the natural foods section of your grocery store, or at local pharmacies.
  • Generally we recommend you minimize rubbing of the treated are(s). However, if there is a visible bump, you can massage the area. Depending on the areas treated and the product used, you may feel "firmness". These areas will soften and settle with time (usually 1-2 weeks). 
  • Sunscreen and light makeup can be applied after about 6 hrs, and the area can be washed with a gentle cleanser. 
  • For those who smoke...smoking narrows the blood vessels in the outer layer of your skin. This limits blood flow, meaning your skin doesn't receive as much oxygen or as many nutrients. While it is allowed after dermal fillers, in the long run, smoking will contribute to wrinkling, sagging, discoloration and age spots. If you do choose to smoke, it is advised to refrain for 4-6 hours after lip filler or above lip filler treatment. 
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Some patients experience swelling for about a week and the injected area can look somewhat uneven during this time. This means that the result directly after treatment should not be seen as the final result. It may take 2-4 weeks to even out...Remember, HA fillers absorb water from your body for further plumping effect. Drinking plenty of water therefore helps the HA filler do its work! 

After 3-6 weeks, we invite you back to re-evaluate the need for additional treatment. Please note that vertical lip lines will not go away completely, but they will soften in appearance. 

Please contact us IMMEDIATELY if you experience:
  • fever and/or chills
  • if the area appears red, hot to touch and "angry" looking
  • severe pain or increasing pain
  • discolored blotches in areas not injected or blanching of injected sites
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​Additional dermal filler aftercare recommendations:
  • For most patients, the benefits of dermal fillers can be enhanced by using a high-grade skincare system. Products containing vitamin-C can strengthen the skin and improve laxity and texture.
  • The use of Retinoids help rebuild cells in the skin's epidermis (top layer). Over time, high-grade skincare can help strengthen skin, improving firmness and resiliency. Products with Retinoids are available for purchase at the spa so speak with Cindy about the options available for your particular skin type.
  • Hydration and moisturization are vital to ensure full effect and longevity of fillers. So keep up with your recommended daily water intake and consider applying additional moisture to your face, neck and lips.
  • Wearing SPF(Sun protection Factor) daily is critical to maintaining the look and health of your skin - UVA protects skin from sun aging and UVB protects from burning, so you need both! About 98% of skin damage (aging, wrinkles, dark spots, and hyper-pigmentation) is caused by sun exposure. Wearing sunblock creates a physical shield on top of the skin to block out and reflect or scatter away damaging UV rays, whereas wearing sunscreen which absorbs into the skin, and physically or chemically absorbs the UV rays. Both should be re-applied after every 2 hours of sun exposure, excessive sweating or water exposure. The spa has a variety of products containing SPF for you to choose from  ​
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Next Steps...
If you're ready to have dermal fillers, book a complementary consultation
Email natural.beauty.med.aesthetics@gmail.com 
Call Shear Bliss Salon & Day Spa (204) 822-8077 ​
Please don't forget to follow Natural Beauty Medical Aesthetics
on Facebook & Instagram for the latest news and images​

Disclaimer

​Please be aware that results and treatment experiences may vary from client to client, taking into consideration factors such as age, lifestyle and medical history. 

All information on Natural Beauty Medical Aesthetics is for educational information only and does not constitute medical advice. Patient photos have been used with consent. Do not use them without our permission. ​​
      See you soon!

​Cancellation Policy

We have a 24 hour cancellation policy for all services. If you need to reschedule or cancel your appointment, please give us a call at
​(204) 822-8077.

There is a $50 fee for all missed appointments with less than 24 hours notice. ​