Dermal Fillers: A Comprehensive Guide

Benefits, Results, and What It Treats

Dermal fillers are a popular cosmetic treatment designed to restore volume, smooth out wrinkles, and enhance facial contours. They are highly effective in treating a range of aesthetic concerns, including fine lines, deep wrinkles, depleted lips, recessed chin, undefined jawline, undereye bags or darkness, nasolabial folds, marrionette lines, jowling or sagging in the lower face, and loss of volume in the cheeks. The results are immediate, giving you a more youthful, refreshed appearance with smoother and plumper skin. At Fiora Aesthetics, we believe dermal filler should refresh your overall appearance while keeping you looking like yourself!

How It Works

Dermal fillers work by injecting a gel-like substance, typically composed of hyaluronic acid, beneath the skin's surface. Hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring substance in the body, attracts and retains moisture, adding volume and hydration to the skin. The injected filler fills in wrinkles and hollows, providing a plumping effect that smooths out the skin and enhances facial features. The treatment is minimally invasive and customizable, allowing practitioners to target specific areas and achieve natural-looking results.

What to Expect Before, During, and After the Treatment

Before undergoing dermal filler treatment, it’s important to have a detailed consultation with a qualified practitioner to discuss your aesthetic goals, medical history, and any potential risks. You may be advised to avoid certain medications and supplements that can increase bruising, such as aspirin and blood thinners, a few days before the procedure. During the treatment, the practitioner will cleanse the targeted areas and may apply a topical numbing cream to minimize discomfort. Using a fine needle or cannula, the filler is then carefully injected into the specified areas. The procedure typically takes about 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the extent of treatment.

After the treatment, you might experience mild redness, swelling, or bruising at the injection sites, which usually subsides within a few days. It’s important to follow post-treatment care instructions, which may include avoiding strenuous activities, excessive sun exposure, and certain facial treatments for a short period. Most patients see immediate improvements, with full results becoming more apparent after any swelling subsides. Swelling and bruising typically fully subsides at 2 weeks, and filler is fully settled at 1 month. The longevity of the results varies based on the type of filler used, but they generally last from 6 months to 2 years. Regular maintenance treatments can help sustain the desired appearance.

FAQs

  • Dermal fillers are non-surgical injectable gels made from hyaluronic acid - a naturally occurring compound found in skin. Dermal fillers are extremely hydrating.

  • During your consultation, our clinician will assess your needs to select the best products for you. Filler will be precisely and safely injected to smooth wrinkles, soften lines, restore volume, and create structure.

  • Depending on your selected treatment areas, the procedure can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours (which your injector will specify prior to booking). You will see results immediately and can expect them to last 6-24 months (depending on filler and area). Mild swelling, bruising, and tenderness may occur.

  • • Please arrive with clean, makeup-free, skin so that we may complete proper assessment & determine where to make injections.

    • Avoid blood thinners one week prior to injection, including: NSAIDS (i.e. Ibuprofen®, Advil®, Motrin®, Aleve®, Celebrex®), Fish oil, Ginkgo Biloba, St. John’s Wort, high doses of Vitamin E, Omega-3’s, DHA, and chia seeds. This can help minimize bruising.

    • Avoid Retin-A, Tretinoin, and Retinoids for three days prior to injection.

    • Avoid drinking alcohol for 24 hours prior to injection.

    • If you bruise easily, you may use Arnica tablets and gel 1 day prior and 3 days after injections.

    • No dental appointments two weeks prior or two weeks following injectable treatment.

    • Clients who are pregnant or nursing are not eligible for filler treatment.

  • Lidocaine is used to help lessen feelings of minor pinching and pressure.

  • Dermal fillers are great because there is little downtime. Immediately after the treatment, there may be redness, bruising, swelling, ant/or tenderness at or near the injection site. These symptoms usually go away after 3-7 days. But for this reason, we do not recommend scheduling your appointment right before a big event.

  • Results can be seen immediately after treatment, and will get better over the course of 2-3 weeks as the filler integrates with your own tissue. Filler can last anywhere from 6-24 months depending on the filler used and the injection area.

  • We carry a range of dermal fillers. Our nurse injector will discuss best options to meet your goals during your consultation.

  • • No makeup immediately following treatment.

    • Try to sleep on your back for 24-48 hours post treatment. Avoid pushing your face into a pillow or surface during this time to prevent filler migration.

    • Avoid touching your face for 24 hours post treatment, except to apply topicals advised by your provider.

    • No exercise for 24 hours. Walking is okay.

    • Avoid extreme heat or cold for 24 hours.

    • No facials for two weeks.

    • For lip injections only: no straws, smoking, heavy kissing, or oral sex for two weeks post treatment.