Getting the perfect bikini body is no longer just about having a beautiful, toned body; it is about ensuring that everything looks perfect.

Many women will reach for the fake tan and ensure their nails are painted beautifully however many will still have hang-ups over particular parts of their bodies perhaps the veins in the hands stand out too much or their feet look too bony.

Although dermal fillers are most well known for use on the face, many women are now turning to them to ensure that all parts of the body look smooth and plump to give them a better beach body.

Injectable fillers can be used to plump out most areas on the body. Aside from the face, the most popular areas are the feet (to plump them out and stop them looking bony), the hands (to plump them out and make them look more youthful) and the knees (to pad out droppy looking knees). Other areas where these fillers can be used are in the armpit creases, the crepey skin area on the chest/decolletage, and the inner side of the upper arm.

The injectable filler is the same concoction as that used on the face a hyaluronic based acid. These fillers are said to help stimulate the skin’s natural collage helping to improve firmness.

For those who would prefer not to have an ‘alien’ substance in their bodies, fat transfers can also be used to much the same effect. The body’s own fat cells can be extracted and injected into specific areas to help fill, smooth and sculpt. Some of the most popular areas include the bottom and thighs to help minimse the look of cellulite, the breasts, and the bottom area. However the fat transfer option is significantly more expensive than the injectable filler option.

Some cosmetic surgeons are not enthused about this new fad for injecting filler in large quantities into the body. For the face, around 1-3 ml is normally used; for the body, much larger quantities are generally required. Even small amounts of filler can cause lumps or granulomas (big bumps) under the skin so larger injections mean there is the possible risk of the skin taking on a really uneven, lumpy look a look which is usually far worse than the original “problem”.

There are also currently no long-term studies on the effects of having large quantities of filler injected into the body therefore potential patients need to be aware before having the fillers injected.