Also called soft-tissue fillers, dermal fillers, soft-tissue augmentation
As we age, our skin loses its youthful fullness. Fillers help to restore lost fullness to the face, lips, and hands.
Fillers are popular for several reasons. Our patients like that they can return to everyday activities immediately after getting most fillers. They like the immediate results that many types of fillers deliver. Patients also like that they can get this treatment during an office visit. Some fillers require a few office visits.
Uses: With a number of fillers now available, dermatologists can diminish signs of aging that appear on the face, lips, and hands. Fillers can effectively:
Insurance coverage: Insurance does not cover treatment that reduces signs of aging.
Fillers are popular. Here is some info for you.
If you decide that fillers are right for you, it is important to know that injecting a filler is a medical procedure. Having a filler injected in a non-medical setting can be extremely dangerous. To protect your health, you should never get a filler injected at a:
It is critical that you see a doctor who has expertise injecting fillers and many satisfied patients. The results you see depend largely on the experience of the person performing this procedure. Our dermatologist has decades of experience and the knowledge and experience required to inject fillers safely and effectively.
The procedure varies with the filler(s), the part of the body to be treated, and your medical history. Here are some general guidelines about what you can expect:
Most patients can return to their everyday activities after leaving the office.
To reduce any redness and swelling from the injections, your dermatologist may recommend icing the area for 15 to 20 minutes before you leave.
Before you leave the office, you should be able to apply makeup.
This varies with the filler. Most fillers do not cause downtime. Be sure to ask your dermatologist whether you will have downtime.
Most fillers offer immediate results
Filler
| Hyaluronic acid |
| Calcium hydroxylapatite |
| Poly-L-lactic acid |
When see results
| Immediate |
| Immediate |
| 2 or 3 weeks |
You may see other fillers advertised. All fillers listed above have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
To get natural-looking results, the person injecting the filler must have expertise in placing the filler.
We recommend not overdoing fillers. Your results will look more natural with a conservative approach. For example, patients who have very thin lips should not get dramatically fuller lips. Creating fuller lips in these patients could be extremely unflattering because the lips might start to resemble a duck’s bill.
Most fillers offer temporary results and require repeat treatments to maintain the results.
Temporary fillers offer one key advantage. These can be injected as needed to replace lost fullness. This is advantageous because no matter what we do, our skin continues to age.
How long fillers typically last
Filler
| Hyaluronic acid gel |
| Calcium hydroxylapatite |
| Poly-L-lactic acid |
| 4 to 12 months |
| 6 months to 1 year |
| 1 to 2 years |
As part of your consultation our dermatologist will let you know how long the recommended filler should last in the area you want treated.
If you get a temporary filler, you can usually have another treatment when the signs of aging reappear.
After receiving filler injections, some patients have minor, temporary side effects where they were injected. You may have:
These side effects tend to clear within 7 to 14 days — if not earlier.
Serious side effects are more likely when the person injecting the filler does not have adequate medical training and experience. To protect your health, you should never get filler injections in a non-medical setting, such as non-medical spa, salon, or someone’s home.
When fillers are injected in a non-medical setting or by an inexperienced provider, reports of more serious side effects increase dramatically. These side effects include:
This is one of the safest cosmetic treatments available. For years, dermatologists have been refining the use of fillers to diminish signs of aging. Today, dermatologists safely treat people of many ages and all skin colors.
To protect your health and find out what results you want, our dermatologist always offers a consultation before injecting a filler. To help you get the most benefit from this appointment, the AAD recommends:
Asking questions during the consultation will help you know what to expect so that you can make an informed decision.
Before receiving a filler, you can ask the following questions:
During the consultation, our dermatologist will examine your skin. This helps to determine whether a filler can diminish the signs of aging that concern you. You may learn that another cosmetic procedure is more appropriate.
If a filler is appropriate, your dermatologist will tell you more about the filler.
Before getting a filler, it is essential that you tell your dermatologist about all medical conditions that you have. It is especially important for your dermatologist to know if you have any of the following:
Your dermatologist will ask you about your medications. Be sure to tell your him or her about all medicines that you take, even ones that do not require a prescription.
Be sure to mention all vitamins, minerals, and herbal remedies. It is especially important for your dermatologist to know if you are taking any of the following:
Be sure to mention everything, even if it seems unimportant. Even if you haven’t taken a supplement or medicine for a while, it’s worth mentioning.
Our dermatologist is experienced and has written multiple papers about fillers and methods to minimize discomfort, so relax. While temporary side effects go away, they are generally managed easily. We will try to have you look as natural and non-distorted as possible. Many of our patients have had fillers for over 10 years and have thereby look much younger and more vital.
We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing to use our website, you consent to our use of cookies.