At Face Time Aesthetics, we have a high standard of care; to ensure your results match your unique facial structure. We want you to ‘look like you’; a refreshed, glowing version of you!

The most common reason people are nervous about dermal filler is the dreaded “duck lips”, overfilled cheeks, or a complete alienation of features. Respecting your natural beauty is a fundamental responsibility that Vanessa takes seriously to avoid unwanted outcomes.

Vanessa will discuss your individual anatomy and expectations to ensure the best treatment plan is created with you.

Medical contraindications that will exclude you from dermal fillers are as follows (not limited to): pregnancy, breast-feeding, cancer and autoimmune diseases, active infections, sensitivity/allergy to any component of dermal filler including lidocaine, bee or wasp sting allergy, history of anaphylaxis, vaccination within 2 weeks, dental surgery 2 weeks.

Downtime will vary depending on your individual response.

Some mild swelling or redness can occur.

You may bruise. This can sometimes be unavoidable due to the vascularity of the face.

Cross-linking creates the gel we know as HA dermal filler.

1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether
BDDE is a biocompatible cross-linking agent.

Cross-linking refers to the process of chemically bonding the hyaluronic acid molecules together, which affects the filler’s properties.

People often get confused about botulinum toxin A (Botox is a brand name) and “filler” – what goes where.

Botulinum Toxin A temporarily reduces facial expression to help decrease the formation of static lines/wrinkles. Dermal filler on the other hand works by “filling in” or plumping areas of your face that have lost volume and/or need to be smoothed out.

It is important to remember that longevity can vary from person to person, but each type of filler has a longevity estimate, and will depend on the area of the face being treated. 

Generally speaking longevity can be improved with professional skin care, and in-clinic skin advanced skin treatments.

• Avoid taking anti-inflammatories (such as aspirin, ibuprofen, diclofenac) for 3 days prior to treatment (unless this has been prescribed by your doctor) as this increases the risk of bruising.
• Alcohol, fish/ fish oils, St. John’s Wort, Gingko Biloba, Vitamin E should also be avoided for 3 days prior to treatment to decrease the risk of bruising.
• If you are prone to bruising, taking arnica orally for a few days prior to treatment may help. 
• If you are unwell on the day of your appointment, rescheduling is imperative.
• Ensure to inform of any changes in your medical history.
• If you suffer from cold sores and are choosing to have lip filler, please ensure you start taking anti-viral tablets 2 days prior to the procedure.
• Avoid heavy exercise directly prior to your appointment.
• Avoid heavy alcohol consumption 24 hrs prior.
• You should continue with a healthy diet and drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated. 
• Client’s wanting added discretion are advised to book appointments when it is possible to take a day off work. Even though dermal fillers are a minimally invasive procedure, taking 24 – 48 hours of downtime allows for any redness and swelling to subside naturally before returning to work or normal activities. If you do experience bruising, arnica cream will speed up the recovery process.

In some cases yes! In some cases no! (Lip filler- usually not).

Please understand that you may have downtime post treatment due to the risk of bruising and/or swelling. This is part of a natural healing process. If you are NOT prepared to have bruising and/or swelling please carefully consider if this treatment is for you.

Not everyone will experience bruising and/or swelling; but Vanessa can not predict or have full control over this factor.

We all want to look good on those special occasions!

It is advised to book 4 weeks minimum before your special occasion. This timeframe allows you can come in for review to ensure your desired outcome is achieved and tweak if needed.

If you are planning on getting married, it is better to be treated much sooner than 4 weeks prior.

Results with dermal filler can be seen immediately. However, your full results will be assessed at 4-6 weeks post treatment. This gives your body a chance to integrate the filler into your tissue, which can take up to 6 weeks.

Please have patience with your results. Subsequent appointments and additional product may be required to achieve your final result.

Minimal to moderate discomfort may be experienced. The good news is that almost all injectable filler syringes are pre-loaded with local anesthetic making the procedure much more comfortable.

HA filler is classed as a medicine and there are risks that need to be consented for prior to your treatment.

A vascular occlusion is a RARE but real complication that can you legally consent to before having filler, you will also consent for the dissolving agent of HA Filler (yes it can be dissolved) so that if an emergency situation happens, the right steps can be taken to reverse and minimise further complication.

Benefits of Cross-Linking:

• Longevity: Cross-linked HA fillers tend to last longer in the tissue because the network structure resists enzymatic degradation by hyaluronidase, the enzyme that breaks down HA in the body
• Viscosity and Elasticity: The cross-linking process enhances the filler’s viscosity and elasticity, allowing it to maintain shape and provide a more natural feel when injected.
• Controlled Release: The cross-linked structure allows for a controlled release of HA, which can contribute to gradual and natural-looking results

Regulatory Bodies and Standards:

• MedSafe:
  • MedSafe is the regulatory authority for therapeutic products in New Zealand. It oversees the approval and monitoring of medical devices, including dermal fillers.
  • Fillers must comply with the Medicines Act 1981 and the Medicines Regulations 1984.
• Medical Device Regulations:
  • Dermal fillers are classified as medical devices. They must meet the standards set out in the Medical Devices Regulations 2003, which align with international guidelines.
  • Manufacturers must demonstrate the safety, quality, and effectiveness of their products through clinical data and adhere to good manufacturing practices (GMP).
• ISO Standards:
  • Many dermal fillers comply with international standards, such as ISO 13485, which focuses on the quality management systems for medical devices.
  • ISO 10993 outlines the biological evaluation of medical devices to ensure they are safe for use in humans.