THE DIRECTOR’S CUT: FILLERS
Two beauty journalists, two very different approaches. ELLE’s beauty directors George Driver and Jennifer George give us the lowdown
Two beauty directors, two very different approaches: one is in favour of aesthetic treatments, the other prefers high-performing skincare – here’s why
The idea of fillers scares me a little. It’s not the needles or my pain threshold, but the unknown immediate-to-long-term nature of results. One of my first assignments as a beauty writer was to review
a lip filler that lasted just eight hours, but even that was enough to
make me say no. On my first day! But I’m not 24 anymore and, despite firmly wanting to rebuff outdated cliches about women and ageing designed to sell products rather than self-confidence, the allure of instantly filled eye bags and suddenly plumped frown lines does appeal. I blame Zoom.
Jenn is your woman for an expert run down of where, why and how to get fillers so natural you’ll barely notice the difference; my – shall we say ‘impulsive’ – approach to beauty is not really suited to aesthetic treatments that require consideration. Thankfully, there’s a middle ground of science-backed skincare products aiming to recreate the effects of fillers, minus the needles. Break it down, and
injectable fillers are everyone’s favourite ingredient – hyaluronic acid (HA), obviously – that’s been modified to last longer in your skin to provide volume where you want it.
When it comes to jab-free alternatives, choose serums offering a hardcore hit of HA. Vichy’s aptly named Epidermal Filler serum is the closest you can get to a clinic finish over
the counter, but to boost my results I’ve gone manual. Facialist Sarah Chapman’s microneedling kit is a less scary sort of needle that still gives a plush complexion. Roll over clean skin (it hurts a little), follow with the stem cell serum and make sure to sterilise the roller afterwards. It might not offer instant gratification but, in time, my skin is satisfyingly
firmer. Maybe I’ll see you next year, fillers… or maybe not.
No one needs fillers. Just like no one needs highlights or red lipstick. But if you want help in undoing the effects of ageing and gravity on your skin, even the best skincare has its limits. As George says, fillers seem scary: the off-putting examples in our memory (see Hollywood celebs circa 2010) and the idea of a squishy material under the skin. But, used correctly – to replace lost volume, rather than create a new shape – its refreshing powers are unrivalled.
For my foray, I saw the brilliant Dr Suha Kersh who, importantly for me, is a natural-looking example of excellent cosmetic work. She injected small amounts into my upper cheeks and chin. The results were subtle (so much so that my husband didn’t notice). Enough for people to ask ‘What skincare do you use?’ but never ‘Have you had work done?’
That being said, at 35 it’s not a necessary investment, as I’m hanging on to the reserves of my natural collagen. A gentler option is Profhilo. Where dermal fillers replace lost volume, this injectable filler tackles poor skin quality that causes it to look droopy and drab as prevention alongside cure. Rather than ‘staying put’ like a dermal filler, it absorbs to boost hydration and stimulate collagen and elastin production.
For me, it’s an annual staple. Yes, it hurts a bit (numbing cream, always) but if you can bear the short-lived stings and boil-like bumps that appear at injection points, after a few weeks you’ll notice cheeks are contoured and jowls are pulled up. My deep nasolabial folds (between the nose and mouth) disappear, and the plumping has been miraculous for my neck, filling out crevices from years of laptop working. Fillers: I might not need them, but it’s a yes from me.