Procedure
Facial Fillers in Cyprus
Injectable hyaluronic acid gels used to restore volume, soften folds and adjust the contours of the face. The effect is temporary and the material is gradually absorbed, so treatment is repeated if the result is to be kept.
Procedure facts
- Duration
- 1 hour
- Anaesthesia
- None, or anaesthetic cream
- Hospital stay
- Outpatient procedure
- Pre-admission tests
- None
- Downtime
- 1–2 days
- Driving
- Same day
- Exercise
- After 1 day
- Final result
- 1 week
Overview
Facial fillers are soft, gel-like hyaluronic acid preparations placed beneath the skin to restore volume, soften folds and creases and adjust the contours of the face.
Hyaluronic acid occurs naturally in the body, with a high concentration of it in the skin. Production falls with age, the skin loses elasticity and the epidermis thins, and folds and lines around the nose, mouth and eyes become more apparent. Filler replaces some of that lost volume. It does not lift lax tissue, and where laxity rather than volume is the problem we will say so.
Areas commonly treated
- Nasolabial folds, between the upper lip and the nose
- Marionette lines below the corners of the mouth
- Tear trough, at the junction of the cheek and lower eyelid
- Temples
- Cheeks and cheekbones
- Jawline and chin
- Lips — see lip enhancement
- Vertical lip lines
What the treatment involves
The skin is cleaned with an antibacterial agent and a local anaesthetic cream is applied to numb the area. Many fillers also contain lidocaine, which reduces discomfort during and after treatment.
Fine needles or blunt microcannulas are used to place small amounts of filler beneath the epidermis. Each site takes a few seconds. The area is then massaged lightly and the result assessed, and further filler added if needed. Depending on the number of areas treated, the appointment runs from about 15 minutes to an hour.
The treated area is cleansed afterwards and an ice pack offered to reduce swelling and bruising. Most patients return to their usual activities, including work, the same day. The change is visible immediately or within a few days.
More than one treatment is sometimes needed to reach the intended result.
Afterwards
- Follow the aftercare instructions given to you
- Leave the treated area alone — no pressing or massaging it yourself
- Cold compresses if there is swelling
- Keep well hydrated
- Protect the area from sun
- Avoid strenuous activity for the first day
- Allow a few days before judging the result, while swelling settles
- Attend the follow-up appointment, and contact us if anything concerns you
Risks and considerations
Dermal fillers are non-surgical, and most reactions are mild and short-lived: redness, swelling, tenderness and small bruises at the injection points, settling within days. Less common effects include lumps or unevenness that can be smoothed or, with hyaluronic acid, dissolved. The important risk to understand is rare but serious: filler entering or pressing on a blood vessel can block its supply, which can damage the skin and, very rarely, affect vision. It is minimised by injecting with a thorough knowledge of the facial anatomy and by treating early if it is suspected; hyaluronic-acid fillers can be reversed with an enzyme. The result is temporary, and what fillers can and cannot do is discussed before treatment.
Questions patients ask
How long do facial fillers last?
The result is temporary and usually lasts up to a year, sometimes longer. It depends on the area treated, the product used and individual factors such as metabolism and lifestyle. The denser the product and the deeper it is placed, the longer it tends to last, though that is not invariable.
Are facial fillers permanent?
No. The hyaluronic acid gels used are gradually absorbed by the body, so the effect diminishes over time and treatment has to be repeated if the result is to be maintained. They cannot change the face permanently.
Are the results immediate?
Improvement in volume and contour is visible straight away. There may be swelling or redness at the injection sites immediately afterwards, which can obscure the result for a few days. The treated area also continues to settle subtly as the filler integrates with the surrounding tissue.
Fillers or anti-wrinkle toxin?
They do different things. Toxin is used for dynamic wrinkles — those produced by muscle movement between the brows, around the eyes and around the mouth — and relaxes the muscle so the movement reduces; the effect becomes apparent over a couple of weeks. Fillers restore lost volume and the effect is immediate. Which is appropriate depends on the assessment at consultation, and the two are sometimes used together.
How should I sleep after having fillers?
Sleep on your back for the first night to keep pressure off the treated areas, with an extra pillow to keep the head slightly elevated. Avoid touching the face, be gentle with skincare, and avoid alcohol and blood-thinning medication for 24 hours.
How many sessions are needed?
Sometimes one treatment is not enough to achieve the intended result. Depending on how the skin responds, a further treatment may be needed sooner than a year after the first injection.
Are facial fillers safe?
The injections are safe when carried out by a licensed doctor experienced in cosmetic procedures. Do not buy fillers sold directly to the public online and do not inject yourself. Fillers are not used for body contouring. Ask your doctor which product has been chosen for you.
Where it is performed
- Surgery in Cyprus
- The Surgery Center 3i, Strovolos
- Surgery in Athens
- Iatriko Athinon, Marousi Mediterraneo Hospital, Glyfada
Where yours takes place is agreed at the consultation.
How we quote
A quotation follows consultation, because what it costs depends on what the operation actually involves for you — the technique, the time in theatre, and whether anything is being addressed at the same time. We do not publish price lists and we do not quote before examining you.
Arranging a consultation
Book a slot in the clinic diary directly, or send the details of what you are considering and we will reply with the times we have.