Dermal Fillers
Our practice primarily uses a type of dermal filler called hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid fillers are a nonsurgical treatment used to restore lost volume, enhance facial contours, and soften certain lines and folds. Hyaluronic acid is a substance naturally found in the body that helps provide structure and hydration to the skin.
When used thoughtfully, fillers can create subtle improvements that restore balance and help you look refreshed without making you look overfilled or different.
Treatment is customized to your facial anatomy, existing volume, and goals. The goal is not simply to add volume, but to restore or enhance the areas that will create the most natural and balanced result.
What Are Hyaluronic Acid Fillers and How Do They Work?
Hyaluronic acid fillers are injectable gels made from a form of hyaluronic acid, a substance naturally present in the body. When injected beneath the skin, they can restore volume, enhance contour, and soften certain wrinkles and folds.
Different fillers have different properties. Some are softer and designed for delicate areas such as the lips, while others provide more structure and support and may be better suited for areas such as the cheeks, chin, or jawline.
Fillers can be used to address changes caused by aging, genetics, weight loss, or simply the natural shape of your face. They can also be used to enhance certain features in younger patients who want subtle changes in proportion or definition.
Unlike neuromodulators such as Botox, which work by temporarily relaxing muscles, fillers work primarily by adding or restoring volume.
Hyaluronic acid fillers are temporary. How long they last depends on the specific product, the area treated, and the individual patient.
What Areas Can Be Treated?
Hyaluronic acid fillers can be used in many areas of the face.
Common treatment areas include:
- Forehead lines
- Glabellar Lines (lines between the eyebrows commonly called “11 lines”)
- Crow’s feet (lines at the outer corner of the eyes)
- Bunny lines (lines on the sides of the nose)
- Lip lines
- Chin dimpling
- Downturned corners of the mouth
- Neck bands
Not every area is appropriate for filler in every patient. The anatomy of each treatment area and the specific type of filler being used are important considerations.
Sometimes the best result comes from treating more than one area. Restoring volume in one part of the face can affect the overall balance and appearance of the face, so treatment is planned as part of the larger facial picture rather than focusing on isolated wrinkles or features.
Who Should Consider Fillers and When?
Fillers may be a good option if you are noticing loss of facial volume, areas that appear hollow, or features that you would like to enhance or better define.
You may want to consider fillers if:
- You have noticed volume loss or hollowing as you have aged
- You would like more definition or contour in areas such as the cheeks, chin, or jawline
- You want to enhance the shape or fullness of your lips
- You want to restore facial balance after weight loss
- You would like a subtle, nonsurgical enhancement of a particular feature
There is no single “right” age to begin filler treatment. Some patients use fillers to restore changes associated with aging, while others use them earlier in life to enhance or balance naturally occurring features.
Fillers are not the best treatment for every concern. Wrinkles caused primarily by muscle movement may respond better to Botox or another neuromodulator, while significant loose skin may be better addressed with skin-resurfacing treatments or surgery.
What to Expect During Your Treatment
We will first evaluate your facial anatomy, proportions, skin, and areas of concern. Together, we will discuss what you would like to change and whether filler is the appropriate treatment.
The filler is injected into carefully selected areas using a fine needle or blunt-tipped cannula, depending on the treatment area and technique. Some products contain lidocaine to improve comfort during treatment, and additionaltopical numbing may be used when appropriate.
Treatment time varies depending on the number of areas being treated, but many treatments can be completed in 30–60 minutes.
The amount and type of filler used depends on your anatomy and goals. More filler is not necessarily better. Our goal is to use an appropriate amount to create a natural improvement while maintaining facial balance.
What to Expect After Treatment
One of the advantages of hyaluronic acid fillers is that there is generally little to no required downtime. Most patients can return to their normal activities after treatment, although swelling may be noticeable for a period of time.
You may experience:
- Swelling
- Mild redness or tenderness
- Bruising
- Temporary firmness or small areas of unevenness
These effects generally improve over the first several days, although some swelling can persist longer depending on the treatment area.
Some results are visible immediately, but the final appearance is best evaluated after the initial swelling has resolved, usually around 1-2 weeks. We will give you specific aftercare instructions based on the areas treated.
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