What to Expect

As we age, we naturally lose subcutaneous fat in the face, leading to the facial muscles working closer to the skin surface. Consequently, wrinkles such as smile lines and crow’s feet become more noticeable. Additionally, the facial skin stretches, which contributes to the loss of facial volume. Other factors that contribute to the effect on the facial skin include exposure to the sun, genetics, and lifestyle choices.

Dermal fillers aid in reducing facial lines and replenishing volume and fullness to the face. They are a popular non-surgical option for patients who want to improve their appearance without undergoing anesthesia or more invasive cosmetic procedures. A common alternative to dermal fillers is facial fat grafting.

Before your dermal filler treatment, we will talk about your goals and expectations to determine if dermal fillers are right for you. If you want to go ahead with the procedure, then we’ll clean and numb the treatment area. Using a fine needle, we’ll inject the filler into target treatment areas. The entire process usually takes 15 to 30 minutes. Swelling, redness, and bruising may occur in the treated areas but these symptoms usually resolve within a few days. Icing can help reduce swelling.

Choosing a Qualified Injector

If you are seeking dermal filler treatment at a medical spa or plastic surgery clinic in a metropolitan area, it is essential to conduct thorough research to find a qualified and experienced injector. Although medical doctors, physician’s assistants, and registered nurses are permitted to administer botox and dermal fillers, their level of training may not necessarily result in optimal outcomes.

When dermal filler injections are performed incorrectly, they can lead to serious, rare complications including blindness or tissue necrosis. Other risks include asymmetry, scarring, infections, and palpable lumps under the skin.

To ensure that your treatment is successful, make sure to ask your provider about their training and experience, as well as request to see before and after photos of their previous patients. As board-certified plastic surgeons, we possess a deep understanding of facial anatomy and are highly qualified and trusted to perform surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures.

Dermal Filler Treatment Areas

Dermal fillers may be safely injected into numerous areas in the face and hands, including:

• Lips: Lip augmentation is a popular cosmetic treatment that patients use to enhance or add volume to their lips.
• Nasolabial folds: These vertical creases that run from the nose to the corners of the mouth can be softened with dermal fillers.
• Marionette lines: The lines running from the corners of the mouth down to the chin can be filled in, reducing shadows in that area of the face and making them less noticeable.
• Cheekbones: Dermal fillers injected over the cheekbones can enhance cheekbone contours and lift the cheeks.
• Chin: Dermal fillers can add projection and improve facial balancing among a patient’s nose, forehead, cheek, lip, and jawline contours.
• Jawline: Jawline filler helps define, enhance, and elongate jaw contours, making the lower face and neck appear more sculpted and slimmer.
• Hands: Some patients rejuvenate their hands with dermal filler to minimize the appearance of tendons and veins.

Medical Review: This procedural information has been medically reviewed by plastic and reconstructive surgeon, Brian A. Cripe, M.D.