Facial plastics and aesthetics
Dermal fillers are injectable gels used to restore volume, soften folds or define areas of the face. Dr. Mohammad BuAbbas assesses your face and your goals and explains what fillers can and cannot do, and what the risks are.
Facial fillersin Kuwait
Facial fillers
What are facial fillers?
Dermal fillers are soft gels injected under the skin to restore volume, soften folds or shape areas such as the cheeks, lips, chin and jawline. Many are made of hyaluronic acid, a substance that is naturally present in the skin. Other types exist, and the product is chosen to suit the area and the aim.
Fillers do not stop the skin from ageing. Hyaluronic acid fillers, the type most used in the face, are temporary, because the body gradually breaks them down. Other types last longer and may not be dissolvable, so the choice of product is discussed at consultation.
This page is general information, not personal medical advice. Results vary from person to person, and the risks that apply to you are discussed at consultation.
What to expect
- Adults who would like to restore volume that has changed with age.
- People who would like to soften folds or define an area, such as the lips, cheeks or chin.
- People who understand that hyaluronic acid fillers wear off over time and that treatment is repeated to keep the effect.
- Treatment may be postponed or avoided in pregnancy or breastfeeding, with an allergy to the product, with a skin infection or inflammation at the site, or with some bleeding conditions and medicines. These points are checked at consultation.
Before any treatment, the consultation usually covers:
- What bothers you, which areas you have in mind and what you would like to achieve.
- Your medical history, allergies, medicines including blood thinners, and any previous filler or cosmetic treatment.
- An examination of your facial structure and skin.
- Which product and how much, and whether to treat in stages.
- The possible side effects and risks, and the alternatives.
The skin is cleaned and, where needed, a numbing cream or local anaesthetic is used. The filler is placed with a fine needle or a thin blunt-tipped tube called a cannula at the agreed points, and the area may be gently massaged. The visit is generally short, and no general anaesthetic is needed.
Swelling, redness, tenderness and bruising at the injection points are common and settle gradually. Small lumps may be felt at first. You are given aftercare instructions, which commonly include avoiding pressure on the treated area, strenuous exercise and heat for a period. Contact your doctor if pain increases, if the skin changes colour, or if you notice any change in your vision.
Possible effects include bruising, swelling, lumps or an uneven surface, asymmetry, infection and allergic reactions. Rarely, filler can enter or press on a blood vessel and reduce the blood supply to the skin and, very rarely, affect vision. This is a serious complication that needs urgent medical attention. It is one reason treatment should be planned and carried out by a doctor with a detailed knowledge of facial anatomy.
Dr. BuAbbas discusses the risks that apply to you at consultation, before you decide.
Facial fillers
Frequently asked questions
How long do fillers last?
It depends on the product, the area treated and the person. Hyaluronic acid fillers, the type most used in the face, are temporary, because the body gradually breaks them down: some last for several months and others somewhat longer. Other types last longer and may not be dissolvable. Your options are discussed at consultation.
Can filler be reversed?
Hyaluronic acid fillers can be dissolved with an enzyme called hyaluronidase if needed, for example for lumps or an unwanted result. Other types of filler cannot be dissolved in the same way, which is one reason the type of product is discussed in advance.
Will fillers change the shape of my face?
Fillers add volume or support in chosen areas, and even small amounts can change how a face looks. The aim is discussed and agreed beforehand, and treatment is often carried out in stages so that changes are gradual.
Is there any downtime?
Many people return to everyday activities soon after treatment, though swelling, redness and bruising can be visible for a time. How long they last varies, so it is sensible to plan around any important event and to ask at consultation.
What is the difference between Botox and fillers?
Botox relaxes muscles to soften lines caused by movement. Fillers add volume or support. They treat different concerns, and some people have both, planned together.
What should I do if something does not look or feel right afterwards?
Contact your doctor promptly. Severe or increasing pain, skin that turns pale or dusky, or any change in vision needs urgent medical attention. Minor lumps or asymmetry are reviewed at a follow-up visit.
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Considering facialfillers?
Request a consultation to discuss your goals and whether fillers suit you, or message on WhatsApp with a short question.