Before your first treatment think about the things you want to achieve and the questions you might have. Your doctor will let you know how dermal fillers can be used to best meet your needs. They will also ask about your medical history. You should know what to expect after your consultation, and you should feel well informed about dermal fillers and your treatment.

Doctors are the only ones who can administer dermal fillers in South Africa. You can visit the Health Professionals Council of South Africa (HPCSA) to find out if a person is a registered doctor in South Africa. A registered clinic that provides privacy is the best place to get your treatment.

Your doctor should provide you with comprehensive information and give you a detailed explanation regarding your treatment.

• You should be informed of the possibilities and limitations of the treatment.
• You should receive information about possible side effects and precautions for treatment.
• You should be informed of the cost of the treatment and possible follow-up treatments.

There are several important precautions to discuss with your doctor to optimise satisfactory results and reduce the risk of complications. You can discuss these points with your doctor:

• If you are using immunosuppressive medication.
• whether you're taking aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or any other medication that can affect bleeding.
If you have any questions about the precautions that need to be taken during the treatment.
• Whether you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant.
• You have a tendency to scar.
If you recently had other cosmetic procedures or are planning to have other procedures done.

• The doctor cleans the area to make sure it's ready for treatment. 
• A small amount of the appropriate filler is injected into the skin using a fine needle or blunt micro-cannula. 
• Different types of fillers are used to fill (reduce facial lines and wrinkles); to volumise (add volume to the cheeks, chin and lips); and to lift (enhance and maintain facial shapes and contours). 
• Your practitioners may massage the treated area after the injection
   

A treatment with a dermal filler can be done in a short time. It may take 15-45 minutes depending on the area and indication. Sometimes, a touch-up treatment may be performed about 2 weeks after the initial treatment to optimise your results.