What are Dermal Fillers?
Dermal fillers are injectable gel-like substances designed to restore volume, smooth lines, enhance facial contours, and improve skin quality. Most modern fillers are composed of hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring substance in your body that helps maintain skin hydration and volume. Unlike Botox (which relaxes muscles), fillers physically add volume beneath the skin to lift and smooth targeted areas. These versatile treatments can address various concerns, from fine lines and wrinkles to hollow cheeks, thinning lips, and recessed scars.
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Watch Dr. Shikha talk about specific details, recovery information, and patient experiences through these informative videos
Types of Dermal Fillers
We offer a comprehensive range of dermal fillers to address different aesthetic concerns:
- Hyaluronic Acid Fillers (Juvederm, Restylane): Ideal for lips, nasolabial folds, and under-eye hollows with results lasting 6-18 months.
- Calcium Hydroxylapatite (Radiesse): Provides structural support for deeper wrinkles and facial contouring, lasting up to 15 months.
- Poly-L-lactic Acid (Sculptra): Stimulates collagen production for gradual, natural-looking volume restoration lasting up to 2 years.
- Polymethyl Methacrylate (Bellafill): Semi-permanent filler for deep wrinkles and acne scars with results lasting up to 5 years.
The Dermal Filler Procedure
The dermal filler procedure is quick and minimally invasive, typically taking 15-60 minutes depending on the treatment areas. After cleansing the skin, a topical numbing cream may be applied for comfort. Many modern fillers also contain lidocaine to minimize discomfort during injection. Using a fine needle or cannula, the filler is precisely placed in targeted areas to achieve the desired correction. You’ll see immediate results, though there may be some temporary swelling or bruising. Our approach emphasizes natural enhancement that respects your facial anatomy and proportions, avoiding an overdone appearance.
Results and Maintenance
Dermal filler results are visible immediately after treatment, though optimal results appear once any swelling subsides (typically within a week). Depending on the type of filler used, treatment area, and your metabolism, results can last anywhere from 6 months to 2 years or longer. Hyaluronic acid fillers offer the advantage of being reversible with an enzyme called hyaluronidase if needed. To maintain your refreshed appearance, follow-up treatments are recommended as the filler gradually breaks down over time. Many patients find that with regular maintenance treatments, they often require less product over time to maintain their desired look.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dermal filler injections involve minimal discomfort for most patients. Most modern fillers contain lidocaine, a local anesthetic that helps numb the area during injection. Additionally, we apply topical numbing cream before treatment to enhance comfort. The level of sensation varies depending on the treatment area, with some regions being more sensitive than others. Most patients describe the feeling as a brief pinch or pressure sensation. Our injection techniques are refined to maximize comfort while achieving optimal results.
The longevity of dermal fillers varies depending on several factors: the type of filler used, the treatment area, your metabolism, and lifestyle factors. Generally, hyaluronic acid fillers typically last 6-18 months, while more robust fillers like Radiesse may last up to 15 months. Sculptra, which stimulates collagen production, can provide results for up to 2 years, while semi-permanent options like Bellafill can last 5 years or more. Areas with more movement (like lips) tend to metabolize filler faster than less active areas (like cheeks). During your consultation, we’ll discuss the expected duration for your specific treatment plan.
Botox and fillers work in fundamentally different ways to address different types of wrinkles and concerns. Botox is a neuromodulator that temporarily relaxes facial muscles, reducing dynamic wrinkles caused by repetitive facial expressions (like frown lines, forehead lines, and crow’s feet). Fillers, in contrast, physically add volume beneath the skin to fill static wrinkles (those visible at rest), restore lost volume, enhance contours, and improve skin texture. Many patients benefit from combining both treatments for comprehensive facial rejuvenation, addressing both muscle activity and volume loss simultaneously.
Dermal fillers have an excellent safety profile when administered by qualified medical professionals. FDA-approved fillers undergo rigorous testing before market approval. The most common side effects are mild and temporary, including bruising, swelling, redness, and tenderness at injection sites. These typically resolve within a few days. More serious complications are rare but can include infection, vascular occlusion, or allergic reactions. To minimize risks, it’s crucial to choose an experienced injector with thorough knowledge of facial anatomy and proper injection techniques. During your consultation, we’ll review your medical history to ensure fillers are appropriate for you.
One of the advantages of hyaluronic acid fillers (the most commonly used type) is that they can be dissolved using an enzyme called hyaluronidase if needed. This provides a safety net and allows for adjustments if you’re unhappy with the results or experience complications. Non-hyaluronic acid fillers like Radiesse, Sculptra, or Bellafill cannot be enzymatically dissolved and would need to naturally metabolize over time. This reversibility factor is one reason many practitioners prefer hyaluronic acid fillers, especially for first-time patients or when treating delicate areas.