5 Questions You Need To Ask About Your Face Filler

29th July 2021

5 Questions You Need To Ask About Your Face Filler

With over 160 brands of filler on the market, it is essential to understand that not all are created equal. There is a good reason why some face fillers cost as little as £20 for 1ml, and others are well over £100. In this journal, our award-winning aesthetics artist, Amish Patel, shares 5 questions you need to ask about face filler to ensure safety and results.

Is the filler CE and FDA approved?

In the UK, there is no regulation over the sale of fillers. This could mean that the filler injected into your face could be imported from as far afield as South Korea, or could even be counterfeit. Firstly, it is vital to ask if the filler is CE marked and FDA approved. Choosing a practitioner working in a clinical environment will ensure they uphold safety standards and their choice of filler comes via a trusted industry supplier. Someone administering fillers out of their shed in the garden may not be eligible to set up an account with the trusted filler manufacturers. Therefore, they may purchase filler online, thus putting their clients at greater risk. Do your research before you sit in the treatment chair to know exactly how safe the filler is.

Is the filler pure hyaluronic acid?

The majority of fillers used on the market are hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid naturally exists in the skin and is a crucial component in the skin’s ability to retain water. When injected into the skin, it attracts water, and as a result, the skin looks more plump and hydrated. However, some other products on the market can include other ingredients, like silicone. Silicone can’t be reversed in the case of an emergency. Silicone-based products also run a greater risk of the body rejecting the product in the future. At the clinic, we only use quality hyaluronic acid fillers.

It is essential to remember that the body can reject even hyaluronic acid fillers. However, by choosing an experienced aesthetics practitioner with a medical background and extensive training, you are in far safer hands.

Why do face fillers vary in price so much?

The difference in cost not only relates to the quality of the product but also to the extensive research into the product, how it behaves in the body, how it breaks down and any longer-term effects. It is essential to know about the brand that your aesthetics practitioner uses. The face fillers we use have extensive research behind them, an excellent safety profile and a history of minimal or rare long-term complications.

Is the filler new generation or old generation?

Some fillers are not as ‘pure’ as others on the market and have additional ingredients. The majority of the time, this may not cause any problems, but in some cases, it can make a filler harder to dissolve or increase the risk of a delayed complication.

These are what I call the ‘old generation’ of fillers compared to the new range of fillers. The difference is mainly in the manufacturing process and how the hyaluronic acid is made up. Old generation fillers are more rigid and give a stiffer appearance. The new generation of fillers moves with the face, giving much more natural-looking results.

Do you use different types of filler for different areas of the face?

A good filler brand will make a range of fillers to suit different areas. The filler used in the tear trough region is very different from that used in cheeks. Using a brand with a good range of fillers will also help highlight which brands invest in their products, research, and development.

For all of the reasons above, I like to use a brand called Teosyal by Teoxane. The product is superior in performance and gives me reliable, consistently natural results.  Having worked with their brand for many years now, I trust the product to help me deliver perfection every time.

Read our informative blog on what happens to your face as you age.