FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
On this page you can find commonly asked questions about Dermal Fillers, Anti-wrinkle injections (Botox) as well as some of our other non-surgical treatments.
Dermal Fillers
What exactly are dermal fillers? Dermal fillers are materials used to correct wrinkles and other depressions in the skin. The typical dermal fillers that Swiss Care Clinic uses are from the Juvéderm®, Teosyal® & Restylane®. These are a soft, injectable gels which contains hyaluronic acid, a sugar molecule that exists naturally in the skin. These are also considered premium brands.
How does it work? Over time we lose our natural hyaluronic acid, and the skin can then lose its shape and volume. This effect, combined with muscle activity, contributes to the development of lines and wrinkles. By boosting the natural levels of hyaluronic acid, Juvéderm® adds volume and revitalises the skin, dramatically improving its appearance.
How is the treatment undertaken? Using a very fine needle, the product is injected directly beneath the line of the wrinkle or fold to fill the depression in the skin.
Is it safe? Yes – dermal fillers have been used worldwide for many years, resulting in millions of successful treatments, and the fillers used at Swiss Care Clinic are totally biodegradable after injection.
Is it painful? The range of products that we use already contains an anaesthetic known as lidocaine. In addition, we offer additional local anaesthesia to all patients, either in cream or injection form, to ensure that the procedure is comfortable and pain-free.
How soon will I see results? The initial improvement in appearance is immediate, with further improvement in the vitality of the skin developing over the following one to two weeks.
How long does it last? Fillers last different times in different patients and in different areas of the face. The effects of the products we use can last eighteen to twenty-four months in areas such as the cheeks. However, for lip fillers (an area where there is more movement) re-treatment may be appropriate after six to twelve months (depending on which lip filler product is used).
Are there any side-effects? Occasional side-effects would include temporary redness, tenderness during injections, and swelling and bruising at the injection sites. However, these would normally be expected to settle within a matter of hours. The risks of allergies and other skin reactions are minimal with the Juvéderm®,Teosyal® & Restylane® range of products.
Who should not be treated? We undertake a full assessment of suitability prior to treatment. However, it should not be used in patients with severe allergies, particularly those who have allergies to bacterial proteins or patients with a history of anaphylaxis.
How many treatments will I need? We will be able to give you guidance on this upon assessment. However, we generally advise patients that in one treatment session we could use up to 4 syringes (for full face rejuvenation). Treating with 4-ML maximum will allow you to be in control of the effects. Further treatment can always be undertaken at a later date.
Anti-Wrinkle Injections (Botox)
What are anti-wrinkle (Botox) injections? Botox is a drug that weakens or paralyzes muscle. In small doses, it can reduce skin wrinkles and help treat some medical conditions.
How does the treatment work? Botulinum Toxin (Botox ®) when injected into a muscle temporarily relaxes the muscle by blocking nerve impulses. As the nerve impulses are blocked the muscle is temporarily unable to contract so that dynamic wrinkles are not formed. This gives the overlying facial skin a softer, smoother and more youthful appearance.
Are anti-wrinkle (Botox) injections safe? Botulinum Toxin as a muscle relaxant has an excellent safety record and a long record of use in medicine. It has been used successfully in adults in a variety of medical conditions over the last 20 years. It has been used cosmetically to treat facial wrinkles for about 15 years and has become one of the most popular and frequently used cosmetic treatments.
Who can have anti-wrinkle (Botox) injections? Anti-wrinkle treatments can be used for treating wrinkles in men and women, however men often need slightly higher doses than women.
Who should not use the treatment?
- People with infection at the proposed injection site.
- People who have previously had an allergic reaction to Botulinum toxin type A injections.
- People with muscle problems or chronic diseases affecting the muscles, such as Myasthenia Gravis, Eaton Lambert syndrome.
- Children under the age of 18 years.
- Women who are pregnant or breast feeding.
Do anti-wrinkle (Botox) injections hurt? Anti-wrinkle injections are relatively painless as the injections are performed using a very fine needle. Patients therefore and do not require any anaesthesia. The full treatment takes about 15-20 minutes to perform and you are able to drive and go to work the same day.
How long do anti-wrinkle (Botox) injections last? It can take about 2-14 days to see the full effects after the initial treatment. The cosmetic effects can last up to six months but typically range from three to four months. Eventually most people require re treatment as the wrinkles reappear.
Are there any side-effects? Most people find that the injections cause only mild local pain and tenderness. Immediately after the injection there may be mild swelling at the injection site which usually subsides within 48 hours. Slight bruising is also possible. Side effects of these treatments are extremely rare.
How often would I need the treatment? When the effect of the injection wears off the wrinkles will always return to their pre-treatment state. Treatments can be repeated at a minimum of three monthly intervals, but the effects may last longer for some individuals, especially if they have had previous treatments to the same area.
What after-care advice should I follow?
- Try to contract the treated muscle areas for up to four hours after treatment, by frowning and lifting eyebrows to allow the toxin to reach all of the treated muscle.
- Avoid rubbing or touching the injected areas and avoid having facials and massage for 48 hours this is to ensure that the treatment remains at the site of injection.
- Avoid vigorous exercise and alcohol-based products on the area treated for 48 hours.
- If bruising develops then you can apply certain creams
- Paracetamol can be taken for mild pain post procedure