What are Dermal Fillers?
Dermal fillers are small injections of a gel, usually made up of hyaluronic acid.
Hyaluronic acid can be found in the human body occurring naturally. These fillers are designed to mimic the body’s own hyaluronic acid. Products containing hyaluronic acid, such as Perlane, Juvederm, Belotero, Restylane and many others have become available over recent years and have shown to be highly popular.
There are reported to be over sixty dermal fillers on the UK market.
Dermal fillers are injected into areas to fill in wrinkles and create the appearance of smoother skin. They can be used in many areas of the body to fill in wrinkles and add volume to soft tissue, however, they are most commonly used on the facial area.
You can have dermal fillers in different parts of your face: around the eye, cheeks, mouth and jawline, as well as lip fillers administered directly into the lip tissue.
How Do Dermal Fillers Work?
Various fillers work in different ways. Here are some of the most common types:
Perlane
- Increases the volume and plumpness to the skin and reduces facial wrinkles and lines. It is a formulation of hyaluronic acid, and is designed to add fullness similar to that of the body’s own hyaluronic acid. What makes this filler different from Restylane, for example, are that the particles are larger and are injected deeper into the skin.
Restylane
- Like Perlane, this adds volume and plumpness. However, the particles are smaller and injected less deeply, meaning the results can often be quicker.
Juvederm
- This is available is various formulas and each is designed to be injected ito various depths and have varying durations.
What are Dermal Fillers used for?
Dermal fillers can be used for a number of reasons to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles:
- Facial wrinkles – Such as ‘crow’s feet’ around the eyes.
- Frown lines.
- Acne scars.
- Depressions or pockmarks in the skin.
- Smokers’ lines around the mouth.
- Wrinkles or lines around the mouth.
- Increased lip volume.
- Increase cheek volume.
How are Dermal Fillers Administered?
Dermal fillers are administered via injection. Most practitioners who administer fillers use techniques to reduce discomfort, such as ice packs and skin vibration.
Who Should Inject People with Dermal Fillers?
In the UK, Dermal Fillers remain unregulated. This means that anyone can administer them simply by buying them online or through contract and inject into people’s bodies. This is a very scary thought, but it is happening every day.
It is reported that many surgeons are now being asked to deal with the fallout from mistakes that have been made by those who are not fit to carry out these procedures. Such procedures are often carried out in unsterile environments, such as people’s homes or salons. Often, ‘practitioners’ advertise on various social media platforms with no form of obtaining any real evidence of their background or qualification.
Are There Any Side-Effects?
Dermal fillers can trigger side effects, some of which are temporary and others may be permanent. The most common problems include:
- Skin rashes, itching, or pimple-like eruptions.
- Redness, bruising, bleeding, or swelling.
- Undesirable appearance, such as asymmetry, lumps, or overcorrection of wrinkles.
- Skin damage that causes a wound, infection, or scarring.
- Ability to feel the filler substance under the skin.
- Blindness or other vision problems.
- Death of skin cells due to loss of blood flow to the area.
These side effects may be more or less, depending on how much filler is used.
Treatment
The treatment for side effects which do not dissipate vary depending on the formula used. Many practitioners will offer to dissolve the filler if the client is dissatisfied. However, they may be left with permanent scarring or tissue damage if the procedure has not been carried out correctly.
How Do I Make a Claim?
If you have experienced any of the symptoms listed, you should first seek medical advice. If you wish to pursue a claim we will require details, where possible, of the practitioner or company who carried out the procedure, details of the dates this was undertaken and details of what symptoms you are experiencing.
We would also advise that you report the side-effects to the practitioner or company who carried out the procedure. We can then assess the prospects of your claim and look to obtain compensation for the injury.
How Long will my case take to run?
Given the complexities involved in pursuing cosmetic procedure claims, they can often take 18-24 months to conclude and longer if Court proceedings have to be issued. Our investigations start by obtaining all relevant records and protocols before approaching independent medical experts for their opinion.
We will provide you with regular updates on the progress of your case to ensure that you are kept up to speed.
How Much is My Claim Worth?
It is often difficult to value cosmetic claims at their, outset given the complexities involved. However, we will pursue two forms of compensation:
- General damages – An award of money for the pain and suffering you have endured as a result of your injuries.
- Special damages – An award of money for all of your out-of-pocket expenses, such as travel expenses, medication costs, loss of earnings and treatment costs both past and future. This list is not exhaustive and is very case specific.
Why use Oakwood Solicitors to Bring Your Cosmetic Surgery Claim?
We have a dedicated team of solicitors and paralegals who have many years’ experience between them in running cases of this nature. They are highly trained to deal with all aspects of Cosmetic Negligence.
We want to ensure that clients are not overwhelmed by legal jargon, medical terms that they don’t understand, and we aim to allow the claims procedure to be as transparent as possible.
How is My Case Funded?
The majority of Cosmetic cases are funded by a Conditional Fee Agreement, more commonly known as a ‘no-win, no-fee’ agreement. This means that there will be nothing to pay up front and nothing to pay if the claim has been lost. If you are successful in your claim, a deduction of 25% of damages will be taken to cover the success fee and the shortfall in legal fees.
It may also be the case that an After The Event (ATE) insurance policy will be obtained to cover the costs of expensive medical reports and investigations. If an ATE insurance policy has to be obtained, the cost of the same will be discussed with you at the appropriate point.
The cost of the ATE insurance policy is again taken from your damages and only payable if you are successful with your claim.
Charities/Useful Websites
Save Face
WHAT TO DO NEXT
If you have suffered as the result of cosmetic treatment, get in touch today for a free initial consultation. Choose one of the methods on the right-hand side of this page, or call us on 0113 200 9787 to find out how we can help you.
