Until a few years ago, facial fillers were a taboo subject in the Middle East. Today, the aesthetic treatment has become popular among the 30-something set for its instant ability to knock a few years off the face.
Facial fillers are mostly used to treat fine lines and wrinkles. They can also be used to plump the lips and the face’s hollow areas. There are multiple brands of fillers available on the market, but the most popular and safest skin boosters are Restylane and Juvéderm because they contain non-animal stabilized hyaluronic acid.
One of the first practitioners to bring Restylane to Dubai was Dr. Radmila Lukian from the Lucia Aesthetic & Dermatology Center. She is a European board certified licensed dermatologist and laser specialist with over 16 years of experience under her belt. During her career, Dr. Lukian has shown keen interest in aesthetic dermatology and anti-aging medicines. We sat down with Dr. Lukian at the Lucia Aesthetic & Dermatology Center to get you all the answers to the questions you may have about the aesthetic treatment.
KHAOULA GHANEM: At what age should one consider fillers?
DR. RADMILA LUKIAN: It depends on whether one is getting the aesthetic treatment to beautify the face, correct an insecurity, or to prevent aging. Normally, most of my clients are 30 and above.
What happens once the effects of Restylane or Botox wear off?
After the filler wears off, it is completely degraded and the skin will go back to its original state. But once people see the effects of the fillers, they feel more confident and beautiful, and this is the reason why clients keep coming back for the treatment—to maintain the effects, not because they look worse afterwards or because they are addicted.
How long do the effects of fillers last and how much does one actually need?
Brands like Restylane stimulate your own hyaluronic acid production, so the more often you get fillers done, the less dosage you’ll need in your next treatment. Restylane fillers last six to eight months, depending on the patient’s lifestyle and skin condition.
What is the difference between Restylane fillers and Restylane Skinboosters?
Restylane Skinboosters get injected in the middle layer of the dermis to restore the quantity of hyaluronic acid. In other words, they work to balance the hydration of the skin. They don’t have the same effect as volumizing fillers to fill deep hollows within the dermis or deeper folds. Skin boosters are less concentrated than fillers and have long-term effects. If one gets the treatment done regularly, the aging process will be delayed.
Who is an ideal candidate for skin boosters?
Those who have been exposed to sun damage, have dehydrated skin, or are experiencing their first signs of aging are all ideal candidates for this treatment.
Is there a celebrity that your clients reference?
The celebrity most referenced is Haifa Wehbe.
Which areas of the face are most common for fillers?
The nasolabial folds and lips.
Are there any side effects or a recovery period for fillers?
Very minimal side effects include redness, swelling, and bruising that subsides after three to four days. You can prevent bruising by avoiding aspirins and other blood thinning medicines, such as Advil and Motrin, as well as taking high doses of vitamin E and Omega-3 fatty acid supplements up to 10 days before the treatment. There is no downtime; patients can return to their everyday activities right after their appointment.
How long in advance would you recommend getting fillers before a wedding or any other important event?
One month before the event. You can do a retouch after two weeks or get an additional treatment if you need to. Bruising is a common occurrence after fillers and although most practitioners do their best to prevent it, in the case that bruising does occur, it may take one to two weeks to disappear fully.
How soon can you see the results of fillers?
The results are immediate.
The average price of Restylane and Juvederm fillers vary between US $500-600 (AED/SAR 1800-2200) per syringe. Each syringe contains 1ml of product. The nasolabial area generally calls for two syringes, while lips typically require one.
—Khaoula Ghanem
