Facial volume in specific areas, such as the cheeks and lips help to provide a youthful appearance. As part of the natural ageing process natural volume is lost and this, combined with less skin elasticity and muscle laxity, causes ageing changes to become more apparent. Fillers are one of the ways to restore some of this lost volume and give a more rejuvenated appearance.

The age range of those requesting fillers ranges from women in their 20's wishing to achieve subtle face shape changes, to clients in their 60's and 70's wanting to restore lost facial volume.

We use fillers to shape the contours of parts of your face such as lips, chin, and cheeks and to "fill" some of your deeper wrinkles or lines. We use a very fine needle to inject the fillers into your skin.

We have a range of products and treatments available including a range of Juvéderm® fillers which are hyaluronic acid injectable gels. Our registered nurse cosmetic injector ( Shelley) can advise on the most appropriate product to suit your specific needs.

At your initial consultation we will devise a personal treatment plan for your specific needs.

We will also fully discuss the risks and benefits before you decide whether to proceed with fillers.

The consultation will include an honest assessment of your face. If we feel that you would gain more benefit from another intervention then we will provide you with appropriate advice.

If you decide to proceed with fillers after your consultation we can usually do this for you at the time of consultation. This involves several injections to the areas that require treatment. Local anaesthetic is not usually required, however for sensitive areas, such as the lips, nerve blocks may be provided to numb the area being treated. The fillers we use have local anaesthetic integrated into the product, so often after the first few injections patients do not feel anything.

The procedure takes between 30 to 45 minutes. Afterwards most people are happy to return to work. If you have any redness at the injection sites we will camouflage these for you with mineral makeup. You must not exercise for the rest of the day as this can encourage bleeding and increase the risk of bruising.

Generally, any side effects experienced from fillers are temporary. Your specialist will inform you fully at your consultation about these.

There is always a risk of bruising and swelling at the injection sites, this can take several days to resolve. We recommend that you do not arrange a filler treatment within a week of a special event.

Hyaluronic acid is reversible, so if you do have an undesired result the product can be dissolved.

Most of the result from your filler treatment will be apparent immediately following the procedure. You are likely to notice further improvements over the next 3 to 4 weeks as the products reach their full effect.

There can be some temporary swelling at the injection sites (particularly in areas such as the lips) which may take 12 to 24 hours to settle.

We recommend a follow up visit to review results after 3 to 4 weeks and compare results with your pre-procedure photographs.

Fillers offer you an improvement in the contour of the area being treated, for example, a smoothing out of wrinkles. Depending on the fillers used, their effect lasts from 8 to 18 months before your body absorbs them.

The cost of fillers varies around $665 and $800 per vial, depending on the product used.  Additional vials used at the same visit are reduced in price.  You will be advised of the exact cost at your consultation. Consultation fees apply to see a surgeon, $285 and an additional surgical fee of approx $550