FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
For legal reasons, we are unable to publish the brand names of prescription medicines such as dermal filler and anti-wrinkle injections online. But this can be discussed with Malinda during your consult to determine which is the best option for your needs.
It depends on the results you are after sometimes one will be better than the other and sometime a combination of both can be best to achieve your desired results. Malinda will go through this in your appointment and discuss which option will work best for you.
You can see some of the uses in the picture/chart below
Dermal fillers are a non-surgical way to assist with hydration, volume and reducing the appearance of wrinkles and shadows on a face. Malinda uses hyaluronic acid fillers which are a soft injectable gel. Hyaluronic acid naturally occurs in the body and is widely used in skin care as it can hold up to 1000 times its weight in water.
Dermal fillers can be used to:
Smooth out lines on the face
Enhance & restore volume to sunken cheeks or temples.
Plump & enhance the lips.
Improve symmetry among facial features
Smooth out a chin crease.
As we age, our ability to produce collagen and elastin decreases. This means our skin begins to lose hydration, volume and elasticity. This combined with the effects of gravity, can lead to lines, wrinkles and sagging of the skin.
Using a soft gel which closely resembles the natural substances that exist in the body, dermal fillers are injected under the skin with a very fine cannula needle. This helps to hydrate and volumize the area being treated. Wrinkles and folds are lifted up and smoothed out.
Individual results will vary. Hyaluronic acid fillers are temporary, and additional treatments maybe be required to achieve your desired look.
Generally, results will last from 4 months to 1 year. The results will wear off gradually, but repeated injections will have a cumulative effect. Treatments will be required periodically to maintain results.
The lasting effects depend on may factors, including but not limited to:
Age
Sex
Tissue conditions
How fast your body breaks down the product
General health and lifestyle conditions
Sun exposure
The product used
The area being treated
Your hydration
Metabolism (exercise and stress levels)
The results can often be seen immediately and can take up to 3 weeks to reach the final result.
A topical numbing cream may be applied for up to 15 minutes to minimise discomfort during your treatment. All fillers used at AWIM also contain Lidocaine (0.3% Lidocaine), a local aesthetic to help reduce any pain.
There are many different techniques that can be utilised to achieve your desired results. Malinda can discuss this with you at the time of treatment.
The results can often be seen immediately and can take up to 3 weeks to reach the final result.
Malinda uses a golden tool, specifically designed to improve comfort during your treatment.
Please remember for 2 hours after your treatment you will have diminished pain and temperature sensitivity. Particularly with lip treatments, be careful not to burn yourself on things such as hot drinks due to the lack of heat sensation.
Most patients will experience only mild redness and swelling that may last for around 24 -48 hours. Some clients may experience swelling and bruising for up to 7 days, particularly around the mouth.
If you bruise Hirudoid cream may be regularly applied (available from pharmacy)
We recommend scheduling an appointment at least 1 – 2 weeks prior to an important event (eg. wedding) to allow any possible bruising or swelling to subside completely. Particularly if you haven’t been treated before.
Malinda will go through post treatment expectations and after care details. (can add a link to the aftercare instructions)
It is best to avoid makeup for at least 12 hours after treatment, but if necessary, make up can be applied 1 hour after your treatment. Mineral or water based is preferable
With any treatment side effects and complications are possible, but they are usually minimal and dissipate quite quickly.
They include, but not limited to:
Temporary redness, bruising, swelling, tenderness
Temporary lumps, bumps, pimples or Itchy skin
Asymmetry (one side looks different to the other)
If you are prone to cold sores, it could be aggravated by this treatment
Rare side effects/ complications:
Infection & inflammatory response Including: Formation of abscess (hard, swollen sore that may contain pus) Granulomas (small lump)
Very rare side effects/ complications:
In very rare cases situations can lead to necrosis (damage to skin and surrounding area), blindness & stroke.
The most common side effects occur within 24 hours or immediately post treatment. Immediate side effects usually disappear within days. However, depending on the type of dermal filler used, it can take a few weeks. Please contact Malinda to discuss or to book a follow-up consultation if you have any concerns.
Dermal fillers have been safely used for over 20 years.
Treatment should only be performed by qualified medical professionals.
Malinda is an experienced Registered Nurse with AHPRA. She regularly attends training to stay up to date on the latest techniques and has performed cosmetic injectables for over 10 years.
You can view her before and after images under photos or on her Instagram page.
Whenever you have filler, there is a settling in period, where the filler can look uneven as it begins to attract water. There is also a period of time where your injector can modify the placement of the filler, so talking to your injector can alleviate some of these early concerns
Should you be unhappy with the result, or in an emergency situation. The filler may be reversed with a product called Hyaluronidase, injected into the area that you are not happy with and it will start to break down the hyaluronic acid dermal filler immediately.
No. The safety of dermal filler use during pregnancy, while breastfeeding or in patients under the age of 18 years has not been established and therefore should never be used in these circumstances.
Always notify your Malinda if you have any of the following:
Precautions and contraindications of dermal filler treatment include:
Viral/ bacterial illness
Autoimmune disease
Under the age of 18 years
Pregnant or breast feeding
Currently taking antibiotics, anticoagulants
Scheduled surgery or invasive dental procedures within 6 weeks
Recent surgery or invasive dental procedures in the past 6 weeks
Epilepsy
Porphyria (enzyme disorder)
Facial implants, or permanent filler
Allergies to Lidocaine or Hyaluronic Acid
Tendency to develop keloid scarring
International travel within 2 weeks after proposed treatment date
Chronic sinusitis
Open wound/ sore to same areas as planned treatment
Cystic Acne
Active cold sore
Filler comes as a 1ml sterile pre-packaged syringe, so even if you don’t use the full amount it would be charged at the 1ml price. If you don’t want to use the full ml in 1 area, the remainder can potentially be used in another area. For safety it can’t be shared with another person nor stored for use at another time.
Avoid alcohol for 24 hours prior to your treatment as this increases the risk of bruising.
Aspirin, ibuprofen, vitamin E, blood thinning medications should be avoided for one week before the treatment if possible, to reduce the risk of bruising.
We recommend scheduling an appointment at least 1 – 2 weeks prior to an important event (eg. wedding) to allow any possible bruising or swelling to subside completely.
Botulinum Toxin Type A is a natural, purified protein extracted from bacteria. Medical practitioners have used botulinum toxin type A to treat medical conditions including facial tics, muscle spasms and excessive sweating for over 20 years. In Australia, botulinum toxin type A is registered for cosmetic use to treat facial lines and wrinkles.
Anti-wrinkle injections temporarily relax the muscles injected by blocking signals from the nerves to the muscles, to prevent them from contracting and causing wrinkles. This softens the visible look of lines for a tighter and smoother appearance.
The injection starts to work within a few days and can take up 14 days to reach its full effect.
Individual results will vary. Generally, results will last for 3 – 6 months. The results will wear off gradually, but repeated injections will have a cumulative effect, and may last longer after repeated treatments.
Treatments will be required periodically to maintain results.
The lasting effects depend on dependent on may factors, including but not limited to:
Age
Sex
Tissue conditions
How fast your body breaks down the product
General health and lifestyle conditions
Sun exposure
The product used
The area being treated
Metabolism (exercise and stress levels)
A very fine needle is used to inject the botulinum toxin type A into selected facial muscles. Although everyone experiences pain differently, discomfort is minimal and brief. Most people describe it as a quick sting lasting a few seconds. Numbing is generally not required for this type of anti-wrinkle injections.
Malinda uses a golden tool, specifically designed to improve comfort during your treatment.
Most patients will experience only mild redness and swelling that may last for around 24 -48 hours.
If you bruise Hirudoid cream may be regularly applied (available from pharmacy)
The injection starts to work within a few days and can take up 14 days to reach its full effect.
We recommend scheduling an appointment at least 1 – 2 weeks prior to an important event (eg. wedding) to allow any possible bruising or swelling to subside completely. Particularly if you haven’t been treated before.
Malinda will go through post treatment expectations and after care. (can add a link to the aftercare instructions)
It is best to avoid makeup for at least 12 hours after treatment, but if necessary, make up can be applied after your treatment. Mineral or water based is preferable
With any treatment side effects and complications are possible, but they are usually minimal and dissipate quite quickly.
They include, but not limited to:
Temporary redness, bruising, swelling, tenderness
Temporary lumps, bumps, pimples or Itchy skin
Asymmetry (one side looks different to the other)
Rare side effects/ complications:
Temporary weakening of a nearby muscle leading to droopy eyelid or eyebrow
Infection
Flu like symptoms
Headache
Botulinum Toxin type A has been safely used for over 20 years, including in medical treatments on children.
Treatment should only be performed by qualified medical professionals.
Malinda is an experienced Registered Nurse with AHPRA. She regularly attends training to stay up to date on the latest techniques and has performed cosmetic injectables for over 10 years.
You can view her before and after images under photos or on her Instagram page.
Whenever you have anti-wrinkle injections, there is a settling in period as the effects can take up to 14 days to show full results.
Always notify Malinda if you have any of the following:
Pregnant or planning pregnancy within the following 3 months from your treatment date
Breastfeeding
Currently have an infection, skin condition, muscle weakness, at the site of injection
Have autoimmune or neurological conditions, including epilepsy, Eaton lamberts syndrome, Lou Gehrig’s disease or myasthenia gravis
Avoid alcohol for 24 hours prior to your treatment as this increases the risk of bruising.
Aspirin, ibuprofen, vitamin E, blood thinning medications should be avoided for one week before the treatment if possible, to reduce the risk of bruising.
We recommend scheduling an appointment at least 1 – 2 weeks prior to an important event (eg. wedding) to allow any possible bruising or swelling to subside completely.