All cosmetic aestehtic injectables come with risks and side effects. In the right professional hands, dermal fillers are safe. D not be affraid to ask your practitioner for evidence of their training, regualting medical body, certification, licences, insurance and before and evidence of their work. Dermal fillers are a soft gel containing hyaluronic acid (HA) gel that is injected under the skin. They are not permenant and will eventually be broken down by the body over time. Dermal fillers usually last between 6-18 months depending on the filler used, its chemical make up and where it is injected. Dermal fillers are composed of a variety of substances, some naturally occuring in the body and some synthetic. The most common compound in dermal filler is HA, which plays a major role in keeping our skin hydrated and volumised. Because dermal fillers are exepensive, many inexperienced practitioners are turning to the black market to purchase unregulated and UK approved fillers to keep costs down and profits up without realising what is in the fillers and the harm they can potentially cause. it has been known that some black market fillers contain substances such as hair gel. Do your research and do not go by social media follower numbers or celebrity endorcements (it is often that these celebrities have not had treatments), and do not be influenced by cheaper prices. Save a little longer.

Needles are sharp and pierce the skin, where as cannulas are blunt and unable to pierce the skin. Needles are better for precise placement of product at a superficial level. Needles can easily penetrate for deep layers for precise placement. Needles are sharp thus meaning that they can puncuture a blood vessel, meaning increased risk of bruising as well as other rare high risk complications. Cannulas are blunt, meaning decreased risk of puncturing vessels. Ideal for treatment of cheeks, jaw, nasolabial folds and marionette lines where multiple injection points may be required. By using a cannual, this reduces the number of entry points to place filler. Cannulas are not as precise as needles.

Botulinum toxin is a prescription only product and is safe when administered by a trained medical professional. Botulinum toxin is safe in small doses and when diluted correctly with saline. Placement is vital to enusre that the treatment is effective and does not cause complications, which can occur when too many units are injected. Botulinum toxin works by blocking chemical signals from nerves that casue muscle contraction. Too much botulinum toxin, or heavily diluted botulinum toxin can spread to surrounding muscles. Botulinul Toxin is not reversable and patients will have to wait for the toxin to break down in the body, usually between 12-16 weeks post treatment, for muscle movement to retrun to normal. Botulinum toxin can be used for cosmetic treatments to reduce the appearance of lines and also to treat medical conditions.