Important News!
We have had to change the information on this web page due to recent changes in the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s (TGA’s) expectations on how treatments that use prescription only medications are advertised.
Substances listed in Schedule 4 of the Poisons Standard with the Australian Therapeutics Goods Administration are not allowed to be advertised. This also means that no claims may be made about the possible results from procedures that use these substances. Which is why the MIRA Clinic website no longer displays information about what is involved when performing dermal filler injection procedures that use these substances, nor can we discuss what to expect after having procedures with these substances.
From the TGA website
- Collagen
- Hyaluronic acid and its polymers
- Polyacrylamide
- Polycaprolactone
- Polylactic acid
- Calcium hydroxyapatite
All of the above substances can be used as “dermal fillers”, at least one of them is no longer available in Australia and a second one is no longer widely used and is not going to be produced anymore by its manufacturer. They each have unique characteristics which determine their suitability for different types of treatments and these characteristics also influence the particular risks that each type of filler may have.
We used to have some general information about these substances to help patients better understand the pros and cons of each of these options, but in order to comply with the TGA rules, we have removed this information from our website and our social media posts. In future we will only be discussing our thoughts on the different products at scientific meetings or during our private consultation appointments.
If you are an existing patient of MIRA Clinic
You will already have a comprehensive treatment plan in place with us, and as such, you are welcome to book in for further treatments to help with volume and wrinkles by clicking here for an appointment in West Perth or here for an appointment in Joondalup.
At every appointment we will re-evaluate you and your health and ensure a continuation of your treatment plan is appropriate before proceeding.
If you have had Dermal Filler injections before – but not with MIRA Clinic
If you are new to our clinic, and you’ve had dermal filler injections before, and you would like to have them again, you need to book in with us for a “consultation to discuss volumising treatments”. During your appointment, our prescribing doctor or nurse practitioner will assess your features, provide you information on the potential risks and benefits of the various treatment options and help you to choose a suitable treatment plan (as we have always done).
Unless you have a very complex request, or if you have an unusually large number of questions, there is usually sufficient time to proceed to at least one type of treatment at the same appointment as your consultation (if a treatment is recommended by your health care practitioner during your consultation). You are also very welcome to go home to consider all of the information discussed. You may book in for a treatment at a later date, or you may choose not to have any treatment with us, there is no obligation to proceed with any treatments.
If you are new to any type of volumising treatment
There are many effective treatments for wrinkles and not all of these require the use of a prescription medication. When you book in with us for a “consultation to discuss rejuvenation including volumising treatments” West Perth and Joondalup, our prescribing doctor or nurse practitioner will assess your suitability for a range of different treatment options and educate you on the potential risks and benefits of the various treatment options (as we have always done). Depending on the treatment recommended, it is usually possible to proceed to treatment on the day if appropriate. But there is no obligation to proceed with a treatment and if you have any doubts we recommend that you take some time to consider, do more research or get other opinions.
Again, nothing much has changed except that we can’t tell you more details about the treatments that use prescription only medication (such as dermal filler injections) on our publicly visible website and social media (because doing so may be considered by the TGA to be “advertising” of the prescription only medications that are used in these types of treatments).
Types of Dermal Fillers
There are many different types of dermal filler products available in Australia, the majority of which are classified by the TGA as prescription only medications. Due to the restrictions on advertising of prescription medications it would be inappropriate for us to discuss the differences between the different fillers on our website.
We believe it is best to discuss your needs in a face-to-face consultation during which our practitioners can assess your facial anatomy and make tailored recommendations that also take into account your motivations and expectations. These recommendations may or may not involve a prescription and may include the recommendation to not have any treatment at all.
Different types of dermal fillers have different gel characteristics that result in them behaving differently under different conditions and in different parts of the body. To discuss our knowledge on this topic on our website might be construed as advertising of those substances, so we won’t go into detail here. But as a consumer you should be aware that an experienced practitioner will have a thorough understanding of these concepts and will incorporate this knowledge into the personalised treatment plan that they create for you.
When considering a dermal filler treatment it is important to be well informed about any prescription medications that may be used, which is why you should choose practitioners with significant experience using these products. At MIRA Clinic part of your consultation process will involve extensive education about the pros and cons of any possible treatment recommendations, including an overview about the different types of dermal fillers.
It is worth keeping in mind that some of the dermal fillers used in Australia can be dissolved (if there was ever a problem) whilst others cannot. Currently in Australia there is no requirement for providers of dermal filler injections to have any particular training or level of experience in treating complications from dermal fillers.
Scheduling a Consultation
Treatment with dermal fillers can only go ahead after a consultation with one of our medical practitioners or nurse practitioners to assess medical suitability and your likelihood of achieving a satisfactory improvement depending on your features and your expectations. The consultation is provided at the quoted price (depending on the length of the consultation and the experience of the practitioner).
Our consultations are offered with no-obligation to proceed to treatment. You can re-book for treatment on another day if you would prefer to think things over first. There is no additional charge, just the consultation fee, if you decide not to go ahead or if our medical practitioner or nurse practitioner decides that a treatment is not medically suitable.
References:
Pinsky MA, Thomas JA, Murphy DK, Walker PS; Juvéderm vs. Zyplast Nasolabial Fold Study Group. Juvéderm injectable gel: a multicenter, double-blind, randomized study of safety and effectiveness. Aesthet Surg J. 2008 Jan-Feb;28(1):17-23
Master M. Hyaluronic Acid Filler Longevity and Localization: Magnetic Resonance Imaging Evidence. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2021 Jan 1;147(1):50e-53e.
