our approach to dermal filler treatments
The past 30 years have seen a massive evolution in soft tissue augmentation. While the market is flooded with new brands and marketing hype, our clinic takes a strictly evidence-based approach. We select our products based on clinical research, peer-reviewed studies, and safety data, never the promises of manufacturers or product sales representatives.
We source all our products from a regulated UK pharmacy. They are completely non-animal-based and never tested on animals.
why we use hyaluronic acid (HA)
Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring sugar in the body that keeps young skin hydrated by attracting and holding onto water. In our clinic, we use ultra-pure, synthetic HA gels manufactured in a laboratory to replace lost volume in the face and neck.
Lately, there has been a shift in public perception. Many patients are becoming hesitant about HA fillers, worried about looking puffy or distorted, and are turning to permanent, non-dissolvable alternatives or biostimulators like Poly-L-Lactic Acid (PLLA).
Here is why we firmly believe that responsibly administered Hyaluronic Acid remains the standard for safety:
- It is reversible: Your body naturally breaks HA down over time. Crucially, it can also be dissolved with a prescription enzyme called Hyaluronidase. We choose dissolvable products because we believe patients should always have the option to reverse a procedure if they wish. We do not use non-dissolvable fillers because we refuse to implant permanent materials into your tissue.
- Anatomical precision over puffiness: When HA filler is placed cautiously, precisely, and in the correct anatomical layers, it does not cause a puffy or overfilled appearance. It simply restores structural volume loss.
product selection by clinical indication
We do not lock ourselves into a single manufacturer. Different anatomical areas require different gel properties (viscosity, elasticity, and cohesion). We handpick specific brands for specific clinical indications to achieve a precise physical outcome:
Aliaxin range (by IBSA)
Our primary brand. An ultra-pure, Italian-made HA created via a patented biofermentation process. It integrates seamlessly into the tissue for a completely natural feel. We generally use this in most areas.
For facial and neck structural volume loss.
Stylage Lips (by Vivacy)
Chosen for its specific rheological properties (elasticity and smoothness), allowing for precise shaping in highly mobile tissue.
For lip treatments.
Belotero Balance (by Merz)
A highly cohesive gel that integrates evenly into superficial layers, avoiding tindall effect, superficial lumps or shadows under delicate skin.
Tear troughs (under-eye) and Perioral region (around the mouth).
Teosyal RHA products (by Teoxane)
Designed for high dynamism. This range can be placed in more superficial fat compartments without attracting excess fluid or causing water retention and allowing the tissue to remain completely mobile.
Superficial fat pads (e.g., the zygoma/cheekbone area)
Our Commitment: Patient safety and clinical predictability come first. By matching the exact science of a product to your specific anatomy, we correct volume loss safely, without the risks associated with permanent, non-dissolvable materials.
What areas can be treated?
- Cheeks
- Chin
- Crepey lines
- Jawline
- Marionette lines (Lines from corners of mouth)
- Nasolabial folds (Lines from nose to mouth)
- Lips
- Perioral lines (Vertical lines around lips)
- Nose
- Tear troughs (Under eye)
- Eyebrow lift
- Temples
- Forehead
- Frown lines
- Neck
- Décolleté
- Hands
What happens during my consultation?
Your initial consultation is a rigorous clinical assessment designed to ensure any proposed intervention is both safe and medically appropriate for you.
Because we treat the face as a complex anatomical structure, this evaluation must be conducted face-to-face in the clinic. We cannot assess your suitability over the phone or via messaging. To accurately plan a treatment, we must physically examine and manipulate your tissue to evaluate its underlying structure, skin laxity, and muscle dynamics.
During this in-person consultation, we will cover three essential areas:
- Comprehensive Medical & Psychosocial History
We will take a detailed patient history, including your full medical background, current medications, and psychosocial profile. This thorough evaluation is critical for confirming that treatment is clinically indicated and safe to pursue, thereby significantly reducing the likelihood of complications or adverse effects.
- Physical Tissue Assessment
By physically palpating and assessing the target treatment areas in clinic, we determine how your tissue responds to movement and pressure. This hands-on evaluation ensures that the selected product and technique will align with your actual anatomical needs to achieve predictable, functional outcomes.
- Informed Consent & Clinical Discussion
We will provide a detailed breakdown of the potential risks, benefits, and critical post-procedural directives. This transparent, evidence-based discussion ensures you are fully informed and empowered to decide if this specific injectable modality is the correct choice for you.
What happens during my treatment appointment?
Preparation
You will be made comfortable on the treatment couch, with hair away from the face or covered, and makeup removed.
Photographs
Photographs will be taken with consideration to lighting and angles. We use the Aura Device for this to ensure that your photographs are always consistent before and after treatment and each time you come to clinic.
Skin Cleansing
Prior to commencing the therapeutic intervention, meticulous skin antisepsis will be performed using Clinisept. Depending on individual pain tolerance and the anatomical region being addressed, pre-emptive local anaesthesia, administered topically as a cream or via direct injection, may be used to ensure optimal patient comfort throughout the procedure.
Treatment
The carefully selected filler will be strategically introduced into the targeted tissue planes. This precise delivery may be facilitated by a fine-gauge needle or a microcannula. The latter, characterised by its atraumatic, flexible design and blunted tip, navigates through the tissues with ease, potentially minimising tissue disruption and offering a superior safety profile in specific facial regions. The choice of delivery method is predicated upon anatomical considerations and the desired treatment outcomes.
Post Treatment
Immediately following the procedure, you may observe transient erythema (redness), mild oedema (swelling), or subtle ecchymosis (bruising) at the injection sites. These are typically self-limiting and generally resolve within a short period.
Specific post-treatment protocols, tailored to the individual and the nature of the intervention, will be meticulously reviewed. These instructions are paramount to optimising the longevity and aesthetic outcome of the treatment while minimising the potential for adverse events. Adherence to these guidelines will facilitate a smooth and uneventful convalescence.
What is the aftercare advice?
Comprehensive verbal and written post-intervention directives will be provided to ensure optimal recovery and treatment success. While initial volumetric augmentation may be immediately discernible in product placement areas, the zenith of the aesthetic outcome is typically observed within a three- to four-week timeframe, at which point a follow-up evaluation will be scheduled. Although a subsequent treatment session is not routinely indicated, this review appointment is a prudent step to assess the results achieved and address any residual concerns.
To mitigate the risk of complications and optimise the integration of the dermal filler, you will be instructed to refrain from palpating the treated areas and from applying makeup or consuming alcohol on the day of treatment. Furthermore, exposure to excessive thermal stimuli, such as saunas, steam rooms, tanning beds, prolonged sun exposure, and spa environments, should be avoided for 2 weeks. In the interest of patient safety and to minimise potential complications during travel, we advise against administering dermal filler treatments within 2 weeks of any planned international travel.
How long do the results last?
What are the contraindications for treatment?
Known hypersensitivity or allergic reaction to any component of the dermal implant, including the hyaluronic acid matrix (although true allergy to this naturally occurring dermal constituent is rare) or any incorporated anaesthetic agents such as lidocaine.
Presence of active skin infection or inflammation at the intended injection sites.
Certain autoimmune disorders may represent a contraindication to dermal filler treatment. A thorough medical history is crucial to identify such conditions.
Pregnancy, attempted conception, or lactation, as the safety profile of dermal fillers in these physiological states has not been definitively established regarding potential harm to the developing foetus or neonate.