Overview & Procedure
What the treatment is and how it's performed
What It Is
Injectable gel that adds volume, shapes contours and can reduce folds. NOT permanent.
Treatment Protocol
Treatment Areas and Protocol:
LIPS:
- Typically 0.5-1ml first time
- Duration: 6-12 months
- Maintenance: Every 8-12 months
- Swelling: 3-7 days (can be 10-14 days)
CHEEKBONES:
- Typically 1-2ml per side
- Duration: 12-18 months
- Maintenance: Every 12-18 months
JAWLINE:
- Typically 1-3ml total
- NOT for severe laxity
- Duration: 12-18 months
- Maintenance: Every 12-18 months
CHIN:
- Typically 1-3ml
- Duration: 12-18 months
- Maintenance: Every 12-18 months
NASOLABIAL FOLDS:
- Reduction of depth (NOT complete removal)
- Typically 0.5-1ml per side
- Duration: 9-12 months
- Maintenance: Every 9-12 months
TEAR TROUGH (under eyes):
- MOST DEMANDING area
- Requires very experienced injector
- Risk of lumping
- Typically 0.5-1ml total
- Duration: 12-18 months
TEMPLES:
- Fuller face
- Typically 1-2ml per side
- Duration: 12-18 months
NOSE (non-surgical rhinoplasty):
- ONLY performed by ENT doctor with us
- Can smooth bumps, lift nose tip
- NOT for everyone
- High vascular risk - requires expertise
- Duration: 9-15 months
- Maintenance: Every 12-15 months
First Year: Often 2-3 treatments to build up effect
Procedure
- Consultation and planning
- Photography (before)
- Cleaning and disinfection
- Numbing cream (20-30 min) or local anesthesia
- Marking of injection points
- Injection with needle or cannula
- Massage for even distribution
- Assessment and adjustment
- Ice to reduce swelling
- Total time: 30-60 minutes
Duration
30-60 minutes (including numbing)
Experience & Recovery
Pain level, downtime and healing
Pain Level
Moderate. Numbing cream or local anesthesia used. Some discomfort during injection. Tenderness afterwards.
Downtime
IMPORTANT - Plan for Downtime:
- Minimum: 3-5 days
- Average: 5-7 days
- Maximum: 10-14 days
- NOT before important events (at least 2 weeks margin)
What You Can Expect:
- Significant swelling (especially lips)
- Bruising (40-60%, lasts 3-14 days)
- Tenderness
- Asymmetry (normal first days)
Healing Time
Day by Day:
Day 0: Significant swelling (30-50% more than final result), bruising possible, redness, tenderness
Day 1-3: MAXIMUM swelling (often day 2), asymmetry possible - DO NOT PANIC! This is normal
Day 4-7: Swelling decreases significantly, more natural appearance
Day 8-14: Most of swelling gone, final result visible
2-week check: Assessment and possible adjustment
Individual Variation in Swelling:
- Minimal (20-30%): 1-3 days
- Average (50-60%): 3-7 days
- Significant (10-20%): 7-14 days
Side Effects
Very Common:
- Swelling (3-14 days)
- Bruising (40-60%, lasts 3-14 days)
- Tenderness
- Asymmetry (first days)
Common (20-40%):
- Lumping (can be massaged away)
- Tyndall effect (blue color if too superficial)
- Product migration
Rare:
- Infection
- Granulomas (inflammatory reaction)
- Necrosis (extremely rare, BUT serious - tissue death)
Allergic Reactions: Very rare
Aftercare
First 24-48 Hours:
- Ice regularly (10 min per hour)
- Sleep with head elevated
- Avoid heat (sauna, steam bath, hot shower)
- No massage (unless therapist has instructed)
- No intense exercise
- No alcohol (increases swelling and bruising)
- No dentist visits for 2 weeks (for lip filler)
Week 1-2:
- Continue avoiding heat
- Gentle brushing (for lip filler)
- No facial treatments
- SPF 50+ if exposed to sun
After 2 Weeks:
- Gradually resume normal activities
- Contact if concerns
Expectations & Safety
Who it's for and safety information
Who Is This For
Best Suited For:
- Volume loss in face
- Desire for contouring
- Reduction of folds (not complete removal)
- Realistic expectations
- Willing to maintain
- Accept swelling for 3-14 days
Who Is This Not For
NOT Suited For:
- Significant loose skin (needs surgery)
- Active infection in area
- Pregnancy/breastfeeding
- Autoimmune diseases (relative contraindication)
- Unrealistic expectations of permanent result
- Cannot accept swelling/downtime
Important Information
CRITICAL REALISM:
- Adds volume, NOT lift of loose skin
- Requires maintenance (6-18 months depending on area)
- First treatment often conservative
- Significant swelling first days is NORMAL
- Final result seen only after 2 weeks
Can Be Dissolved Immediately:
Hyaluronidase dissolves filler immediately if:
- Dissatisfied with result
- Complications
- Wrong placement
Contraindications
Absolute:
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Active infection in treatment area
- Allergy to hyaluronic acid or lidocaine
- Bleeding disorders (relative)
Relative:
- Autoimmune diseases
- Blood thinning medications (increased bruising risk)
- Previous bad reaction
- Unrealistic expectations
Warning Signs
Contact Clinic IMMEDIATELY If:
- Severe pain that increases (may indicate vascular occlusion)
- White color in skin (sign of blood supply problems)
- Vision loss or vision changes (IMMEDIATE HELP!)
- Black spots (necrosis)
- Pulsating pain
- Pale skin in or around treatment area
This is RARE, but SERIOUS and requires immediate treatment!
Individual Variations
Duration Varies With:
- Area (lips last shorter than cheekbones)
- Product type (different density and viscosity)
- Metabolism
- Lifestyle (smoking, stress reduces duration)
- Age (younger = faster breakdown)
Swelling Varies With:
- Area (lips swell most)
- Individual factors
- Injection technique
- Amount of product
Maintenance
Maintenance Plan:
- Lips: Every 6-12 months
- Nasolabial folds: Every 9-12 months
- Cheekbones/Jaw/Chin: Every 12-18 months
- Tear trough: Every 12-18 months
First Year: Often 2-3 treatments to build up desired effect
Without Maintenance: Filler gradually breaks down and volume disappears completely
