For patients in South Africa

Dermal fillers in Turkey from South Africa: an honest guide

Dermal fillers are gels injected under the skin to replace lost volume, soften folds and shape areas such as the cheeks, lips, chin and jawline. They do not involve surgery and the appointment is short. This page explains the options and how South Africans can plan around them.

What fillers are used for

With age the face loses collagen and fat and the skin thins. Fillers replace some of that volume. Common areas are:

• Cheeks and mid-face
• Lips
• The folds from the nose to the mouth (nasolabial folds)
• Lines from the corners of the mouth to the chin (marionette lines)
• Chin and jawline
• Hollows under the eyes and at the temples

Fillers cannot give the result of a facelift; for loose skin see our facial surgery guide.

Types of filler

• Hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers: the most widely used. Hyaluronic acid occurs naturally in the skin and holds water. They are gradually absorbed and can be dissolved with an enzyme called hyaluronidase. Our hyaluronic acid filler page describes the cross-linked HA filler we use, listed there as H.A PB 2.0.
• Calcium hydroxylapatite fillers: used for deeper lines and contouring, and usually longer lasting than HA.
• Poly-L-lactic acid fillers: prompt the skin to build collagen gradually over several months.
• PMMA fillers: semi-permanent, for some deep wrinkles.

Ask which product is proposed for each area, and whether it can be reversed. The UK dermal fillers page has more detail on each type.

Who fillers suit

• Adults with mild to moderate lines or volume loss
• People wanting a subtle change without surgery and with realistic expectations

Fillers may not be suitable during pregnancy or breastfeeding, with an active skin infection in the area, with some autoimmune conditions, or with an allergy to a filler ingredient. The practitioner reviews your history and face before recommending anything.

What happens on the day, and recovery

A numbing cream is often applied, and many fillers contain the local anaesthetic lidocaine. The filler is placed in small amounts with a fine needle or cannula and gently moulded. Results are visible immediately and become clearer as swelling settles over several days.

Mild swelling, redness and small bruises usually settle within a few days. Avoid strenuous exercise for about 24 hours, avoid heat and alcohol for a day or two, and do not massage the area unless told to.

From Johannesburg or Cape Town it is around ten hours to Istanbul direct, then a short flight to İzmir; South Africans need an e-Visa, and Turkey is one hour ahead. Honestly, that journey only for a filler appointment is hard to justify. It makes more sense alongside another treatment you were already planning in İzmir.

Risks

Less common complications include infection, allergic reaction, lumps, asymmetry, filler moving from where it was placed, and, rarely, a vascular complication if filler enters a blood vessel. Before you fly home, ask what warning signs to watch for and how to reach the team.

Results vary from person to person, and this is not a substitute for medical care.

Our treatment guarantee covers medical complications from treatment for one year, treated in İzmir at no charge (flights and accommodation are your own cost). It does not cover preferring a different look within what was discussed beforehand. See our complaints page and clinic facts.

Cost and cover

The cost of fillers depends on the areas treated, the product, the number of sessions and what your package includes, all set out in your written plan. Medical schemes generally do not cover cosmetic treatment abroad and travel insurance usually excludes planned treatment, so check both.

What we will not do

We will not inject without a face-to-face assessment, we will not use more product than your face needs, and we will not present fillers as a replacement for surgery when they are not. Our full range of non-surgical options is in the skin treatments guide for South African patients and on the anti-ageing treatments page.

Frequently asked questions

How long do dermal fillers last?

It depends on the product and the area. Most hyaluronic acid fillers last around six to twelve months, and some other fillers last eighteen months or longer.

Can fillers be reversed?

Hyaluronic acid fillers can be dissolved with an enzyme called hyaluronidase if needed. Other filler types cannot be dissolved in the same way, so ask which product is proposed.

Is it worth travelling from South Africa only for fillers?

Usually not. The appointment is short and fillers need repeating, so they make most sense combined with another treatment you were already planning in Turkey.

Can I fly home soon after fillers?

Most people return to normal activities straight away. Ask the practitioner when you can fly and leave a day or two in case swelling or bruising needs checking.

Will my medical aid pay for fillers?

South African medical schemes generally do not cover cosmetic treatment abroad, and standard travel insurance usually excludes planned treatment. Check with both before you book.

Start with a free online consultation. Planning the trip? Read the guide for South African patients and the e-Visa guide.