The benefits of dermal fillers for anti-ageing are widely known and there are literally thousands of practitioners who offer all manner of dermal filler treatments, across the UK. However, out of the 150 dermal filler brands in the country, many do not offer the efficacy, or more importantly the safety that those which Dr Dan Dhunna insists on and has done ever since he began using dermal fillers for cosmetic purposes, over 20 years ago.

Patient safety is of the utmost importance to this highly-regarded medical practitioner, famed for transforming faces across the globe and a master of injectable treatments. He will only use the highest-grade hyaluronic acid dermal fillers which are FDA approved and clinically-proven for their purity. Dr Dan Dhunna regularly uses the Juvéderm range from pharmaceutical giant, Allergan, as he knows that he will obtain amazing results that last, and what’s more there are little-to-no side effects, due to the biocompatibility of these products.

What do I need to look out for in a dermal filler?

There are some very straightforward and logical ways to check that the product that is being injected in to your face is safe. Firstly, asking outright if the practitioner who is stating they use high-quality products, is medically trained, is the number one tip. If your practitioner is not medically qualified, the chances they are using a genuine high-grade dermal filler by companies such as Allergan, Galderma and Merz is extremely slim. This is because these industry leaders will not sell to anyone who is not a medical practitioner (surgeon, doctor, dentist, nurse etc), as non-medical practitioners such as beauty therapists, simply do not have the training or knowledge of how to deal with an unforeseen circumstance, such as injecting in to a blood vessel. There have been some real horror stories of this happening and the onset of tissue necrosis (tissue death) of patients who have gone for a dermal filler treatment with someone who does not have the training or indeed medical wherewithal to treat such an incident. Medical practitioners such as Dr Dan Dhunna are constantly being asked to rectify issues such as these. So can you imagine a pharmaceutical company supplying products to non-medics, only to have their reputation damaged in the press or on TV? Unlikely! therefore to get their hands on such high-grade superlative products, a non-medic will most-likely be buying either a counterfeit product or sub-standard brand, in many cases, from overseas suppliers with no recourse or customer care and definitely no brand training. So as important as it is to ask whether the product is genuine, is to check your practitioners credentials, qualifications and number of years’ experience in administering dermal fillers. You don’t want to be a guinea pig for anyone!

Highly trusted brands of dermal fillers are normally FDA approved, (there are 19 of them to be precise). Although FDA approval is a USA recognition, it still means that extensive and rigorous testing has been carried out on the products, as well as years on the ground. Companies such as Allergen, have had to invest many millions of pounds to obtain this approval for their dermal filler brands, so as to gain the respect, loyalty and trust of some of the most famous, reputable and highly-renowned medical aesthetic practitioners in the world, of which Dr Dan Dhunna is one. Dr Dan Dhunna will not touch a dermal filler without FDA approval and the history of efficacy and safety that this carries.

Is it more expensive to have a dermal filler with FDA approval?

If you think about it, when you go to a Mercedes showroom, you expect to be looking at paying a reasonable amount for the car you are seeking. If you want good quality produce, you might prefer to shop at Waitrose for high-end produce or even Fortnum & Masons or Harrods for a really special dinner party. For a special event such as your son’s wedding or daughter’s graduation, a sumptuous outfit will probably be on the cards with luxury fabric and speciality detailing to stand out in the crowd and do your loved one justice. It’s the same with dermal filler treatments. You get what you pay for. If you think of your face as something precious, why would you opt for the cheapest brand on the market? And don’t even think about those voucher deals we see all the time online. It simply is not worth it and could end up costing you more, to have a bad dermal filler treatment rectified or worse, being stuck with an oddly-shaped mouth or protruding cheeks for months on end. Ever heard of the phrase “buy cheap buy twice?”. Dr Dan Dhunna offers competitive pricing which is fair and appropriate for the quality of product and expertise that you will receive – no more no less. So, it’s worth considering the quality of results will match the price. Who wants a ‘cheap’ looking face after all?

The dermal filler industry is not regulated, which is a huge shame, but things are moving in the right direction and for the safety and wellbeing of our patients, at Dr Dan Dhunna’s clinics in London and the Midlands, we can only hope that soon will be the day when only medics can offer any treatment involving the use of needles. In the meantime, choose a medical professional for your dermal filler treatment who uses the highest quality, FDA products from trusted and approved suppliers.