Dermatologists caution UAE patients against using non-approved dermal fillers

Dubai, UAE:  Dermal fillers are fairly safe and popular in the UAE. The procedure involves injecting a filling material into the skin to improve the appearance of wrinkles, and to fill depressions in the skin or enhance the appearance of the lips. However, Dermatologists in the UAE caution against using non-approved dermal fillers, as that could lead to skin damaging effects.

Many filling materials are available in the market; they vary in the duration of their effects. Short acting fillers last between six to nine months, intermediate fillers last up to two years and long acting fillers stays for many years or permanently.

According to Dr Ashraf Reda, consultant dermatologist, Mediclinic Welcare Hospital, Dubai, UAE “Consumer awareness of the safety issues of fillers is important to ensure a satisfactory outcome. The procedure itself is safe; however, side effects, such as infections or the development of irregular lumps at or near injection sites may develop.”

Dermal Fillers, fractional CO2 lasers, and upper eyelid blepharoplasty, are some of the key topics in the fields of cosmetic dermatology and surgery discussed at this year’s International Congress in Aesthetics, Anti-Ageing Medicine and Medical Spa (ICAAM) Middle East 2014 from 5-6 December at the Conrad Hotel, Dubai, UAE.

“Most patients who come to me with dermal filler complications have had the procedure done abroad. They complain about infections and lumps on the injection site, and are unaware of the filler that was used or if it were original or fake. The treatment of these cases is challenging and complications usually take a long time to resolve,” commented Dr Reda.

Dr Reda advises patients seeking treatments using dermal-fillers to research the procedure and have realistic expectations on the final results and the incidence of the possible side effects. The procedure must be performed by a licensed physician/practitioner in a healthcare setting to ensure an infection-free environment; and approved fillers must be used.

He especially advises them to use the safer short term fillers; their side effects are rare and tend to clear faster. Finally, they should keep a record of the name of the filler as side effects may develop several weeks or months after the injection and treatment, which in such cases differ according to the used filler.

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