Many patients wonder what the difference is between permanent and temporary fillers.
Permanent lip fillers have had a bad press over the last few years, associated with high profile stories of treatments gone wrong.
Here are some of the key points to compare:
Ingredients – The Science Bit!
Firstly, the ingredients.
Permanent fillers can be made with a variety of active ingredients. That means that results can be unpredictable.
Temporary dermal fillers are usually made with hyaluronic acid. This is a substance which is made all the time in the skin. As our skin ages and becomes less active the levels reduce, which causes the skin to show signs of ageing. When you have injections of hyaluronic acid dermal fillers, that replenishes lost volume and structure within the skin. As a naturally occurring substance, you are almost replacing like for like.
How Long They Last
Permanent fillers are for life. That may sound convenient and attractive, but in reality, your face will change over the course of a few decades. Fillers injected in your twenties could look completely inappropriate by the time you reach 40 or 50, let alone 70 or 80.
The latest longer-lasting temporary fillers may last up to approximately 12 to 18 months depending on the treatment. They are naturally broken down within the skin, but when the results start to wear off, treatment can be repeated. Future treatments can take account of any changes in the skin and facial structure that naturally happen with age, ensuring that the results remain flattering and appropriate.
It is worth noting that modern hyaluronic fillers become an integral part of your skin tissue, providing support and keeping the skin in good condition. So your skin benefits in the longer term as well.
Safety
High profile cases such as Leslie Ash and Pete Burns have shown the public just how devastating the consequences can be when permanent fillers go wrong. Some patients have problems from the outset while others can experience issues years later when the lips break out in pus filled sores which can spread through the fatty tissue.
Statistics have been quoted that nearly half – 49% – of patients experienced problems with permanent filler treatment. Steroid injections might help in the early stages, but 89% needed surgery to fix them and remove the filler. Even then it is often not possible to completely resolve issues.
By comparison, the top brand temporary fillers (e.g. Juvéderm®, Belotero®, Aliaxin) have very high safety records with the vast majority of patients suffering no complications. If a problem does arise, the nature of temporary fillers is that they can be reversed with a second injectable procedure. There is no need for surgery or complex treatments.
How They Feel
Permanent fillers can be quite hard and unpliable.
By contrast, the latest temporary lip filler and dermal fillers offer results that feel more natural, especially the latest Juvéderm® Vycross range which uses ‘cross-linking’ technology for exceptionally smooth injections and soft-feeling results.
Legislation
There is little or no regulation of dermal fillers of any kind in the UK at the moment. No prescription is required and there are no controls over products, so treatments can legally be carried out by untrained persons who have imported cheap fillers from overseas.
Mulberry House Clinic would therefore urge patients to carefully choose top brand products such as the Juvéderm® or Belotero range, then ensure that the practitioner is a skilled and experienced doctor or suitably qualified medical practitioner who can inject safely.
Northamptonshire Lip Enhancement Doctor
Dr John Tanqueray at Mulberry House Clinic based in Hardingstone near Northampton has an excellent reputation for providing natural-looking yet beautiful lip enhancement treatments using the very latest dermal and lip fillers.
He firmly believes that for best results lip treatments should be considered in the context of the whole face and treated on an individualised basis.
He personally carries out detailed consultations prior to treatment and administers all injections himself. He also offers training for other medical professionals and has an excellent reputation as a former GP.
What Fillers are Offered?
Mulberry House Clinic offer dermal fillers from the Juvéderm® range including the premium Vycross Juvéderm® VOLUMA as well as Belotero and Aliaxin. We do not offer permanent fillers.
Mulberry House Clinic
Established 2003
Mulberry House Clinic has an excellent reputation in the Northampton area as an independent, doctor-led practice with over 10 years experience. Cosmetic skin treatments are carried out by Dr John Tanqueray, who also works with Allergan to train other professionals in his skills and techniques.
For further information or to arrange a confidential consultation, please complete our contact form, call 01604 702630 or email: info@mulberryhouseclinic.co.uk.
