What are dermal fillers? Dermal fillers are non-surgical cosmetic treatments used to bring a more youthful appearance by restoring volume or fullness to the face and lips. They work by reducing or eliminating lines, wrinkles and folds in the skin and the effect is seen immediately after treatment.

As skin ages, both naturally and because of other factors such as sun damage, smoking, and poor diet, we lose collagen, fat and other natural moisturising substances from our skin. These can be thought of as the natural 'scaffolding' that keeps it looking young and feeling firm. With less of these, our skin becomes thinner and we start to see lines, wrinkles and folds developing. This is usually more noticeable on our faces.

What are dermal fillers made of? Various kinds of safe, natural and man-made materials are used as dermal fillers; these have been specifically developed over the years for use in the skin. Two kinds of dermal fillers are usually suggested for the face: semi-permanent and non-permanent. The semi-permanent type (e.g. Radiesse and Sculptra) lasts up to 18 months. The non-permanent fillers, such as, Hyaluronic Acid (HA) derived Hydra Fill and Restylane, last for around 6-12 months, depending upon the the site of application and the formulation of the material used.