Dermal Fillers
Hyaluronic acid and other injectable fillers restore volume, define contour, and address structural changes that come with age. Treatment requires a consultation and medical history review before any product is placed.
What dermal fillers are
Dermal fillers are injectable gels used to add volume, restore structure, or smooth areas of the face. Most commonly used fillers are hyaluronic acid (HA)-based products, which are biocompatible and reversible with hyaluronidase if needed. Other filler types include calcium hydroxylapatite and poly-L-lactic acid. Product selection depends on the treatment area, the level of support needed, and patient factors.
What fillers can address
Common applications include volume loss in the cheeks and midface, hollowing under the eyes, definition along the jawline and chin, nasolabial folds, marionette lines, and hand rejuvenation. Fillers are not appropriate for every concern and are not a substitute for surgical correction where structural change is significant.
Who may be a candidate
Adults with realistic expectations about the limitations of non-surgical volume restoration. Candidacy is determined at consultation after reviewing your medical and treatment history, examining the areas of concern, and discussing what outcome is achievable with injectables.
Who should avoid or delay treatment
Patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding, have active infection or cold sores near the planned site, are taking blood thinners or certain supplements that increase bleeding risk, have a history of severe allergic reactions or anaphylaxis, or have previously had significant filler complications. Patients with autoimmune conditions or on immunosuppressive therapy should discuss suitability with their treating physician.
What to expect during a session
After consultation and written consent, the treatment area is cleansed and a topical numbing agent may be applied. Product is injected using a fine needle or blunt-tipped cannula depending on the area. Most sessions take 30 to 60 minutes. Patients typically experience mild pressure or a brief pinch during injection.
Recovery and downtime
Most patients have mild swelling and possible bruising for 3 to 7 days. Avoid strenuous exercise, extreme heat (sauna, hot yoga), and alcohol for 24 to 48 hours. Avoid massaging the treated area unless instructed. Sleep face-up for the first night if cheeks or midface were treated.
Risks and side effects
Common: swelling, bruising, redness, tenderness, and temporary asymmetry. Less common: nodule formation, migration, product visibility in thin skin areas, and delayed inflammatory reaction. Rare but serious: vascular occlusion — injection into or near a blood vessel can cause tissue damage, vision changes, or stroke. Signs include immediate blanching, pain disproportionate to the injection, or skin discoloration. This is a medical emergency requiring immediate intervention. We review these risks at consultation.
How long results last
HA fillers typically last 6 to 18 months depending on the product, area treated, individual metabolism, and volume used. Some areas metabolize product faster than others. Results vary. Repeat treatment is required to maintain effect. Filler placed in one area does not prevent natural volume changes in others.
Reversibility
Hyaluronic acid fillers can be partially or fully dissolved with hyaluronidase if needed. Dissolution may be required to address a complication, correct an outcome, or remove old product before retreatment. Not all fillers are reversible.
Alternatives
Alternatives include surgical procedures (fat grafting, facelift, blepharoplasty), energy-based treatments, and skin resurfacing. For some patients, no non-surgical option achieves the desired result. We discuss this honestly at consultation.
When to contact us
Contact us for any concerns in the days following treatment. Seek emergency care immediately if you experience vision changes, severe pain, blanching or mottling of the skin, or any sign of vascular compromise after injection.
Clinical notice
Information on this page is educational and does not replace an in-person consultation. Treatments are recommended only after reviewing medical history, anatomy, goals, and clinical suitability. Results vary. Appropriate candidates are determined at the time of consultation.
If you experience severe swelling, vision changes, difficulty breathing, signs of vascular compromise, or another urgent symptom after treatment, seek emergency care immediately.
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