Dr. Dirk Lazarus
Plastic Surgeon

Tel: 021 424 1112
Fax: 021 424 1118

86 New Church St
Tamboerskloof
Cape Town, 8001
South Africa

INJECTABLE FILLERS are increasing in popularity as they are quick and simple to perform. They are used to plump out tissue, for example to fill wrinkles or to rejuvenate and enhance lip shape.

Injectable collagen, hyaluronic acid, etc.
Skin wrinkles can be filled with off the shelf injectables. Although collagen injections were popular, allergic problems and the fact that injectable collagen used to be derived from cattle, have tempered this popularity. The injected collagen does not last long and needs to be repeated. The availability of safe, bio-engineered human collagen may change the situation. Instead we use non animal derived hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring substance which forms much of the so-called ground substance which lies between collagen fibres. This is available as Restylane, Perlane and similar products. It is useful for filling lines around the face. I do not favour the use of other injectables.

Fat Injection
Deeper filling may be accomplished with off the shelf injectables or with fat. Areas treated in this way include mouth, frown and forehead lines, cheeks, etc. Liposuction is used to safely harvest a small quantity of fat which is then treated and re-injected where needed. Being derived from your own body, there is no problem with allergic reactions. Fat survival at its new site is a little unpredictable and like all injectable fillers, the procedure may require repeating. We are currently using the Coleman technique which is associated with better results. Over filling is done which results in swelling that lasts about a week.

Dermal grafts
Other filling techniques are to use dermis, the deeper layer of the skin. Dermal grafts can be harvested from old scars, the buttock, groin or similar crease, or at the time of other surgery, for example facelift where skin is removed. The dermis can then be threaded into the areas require augmentation. Dermal grafts tend to last better than fat grafts.

Testimonials of patients who have had fillers.