Quick answer:
Dermal fillers are injectable gels, most often hyaluronic acid (HA), used to restore volume, define contours and soften folds. Results are immediate and usually last six to eighteen months depending on the product and area. HA fillers can be dissolved with hyaluronidase if needed, which adds a safety margin, but fillers still carry real risks and should be injected by trained doctors.
Types of fillers
- Hyaluronic acid (HA)
– the most common; reversible; available in different firmness levels for lips, cheeks, chin and fine lines.
- Calcium hydroxylapatite
– a firmer, collagen-stimulating filler for structure.
- Poly-L-lactic acid / PDLLA
– collagen stimulators that build volume gradually rather than instantly.
Common treatment areas
- Cheeks and mid-face
- Chin and jawline
- Lips
- Under-eye hollows (tear trough)
- Nasolabial folds and marionette lines
- Temples
- Nose profile (non-surgical nose contouring)
How long do fillers last?
Areas with more movement, such as lips, tend to break down faster. Deeper structural areas, such as the chin or cheeks, often last longer. Product choice, metabolism and technique also play a part.
Risks
- Common
– swelling, bruising, tenderness, small lumps.
- Less common
– infection, delayed nodules, migration.
- Rare but serious
– vascular occlusion, where filler blocks a blood vessel, which can damage skin or, very rarely, affect vision. This requires urgent treatment.
Safety questions to ask
- Who performs the injection, and what training do they have?
- Which product is used, and can I see the box or label?
- Does the clinic keep hyaluronidase and an emergency plan?
- How do you handle complications after I return home?
Choosing the right product for each area
- Lips
– soft, flexible HA that moves naturally.
- Cheeks and chin
– firmer HA with more lift for structural support.
- Under-eyes
– very soft, low-swelling products placed carefully, often with a cannula.
- Fine lines
– thin products placed superficially.
Needle vs cannula
A needle allows precise placement in small areas. A blunt cannula can reduce bruising and may lower the risk of entering blood vessels in some areas. Many doctors use both depending on the area.
Natural-looking results
- Restore lost structure before adding projection.
- Use the minimum amount that achieves the goal.
- Review after two weeks before adding more.
- Keep facial proportions balanced rather than treating one feature in isolation.
Aftercare
Avoid pressing or massaging treated areas unless advised, skip saunas and intense exercise for 24–48 hours, and sleep with your head slightly raised the first night. Contact the clinic urgently for severe pain, skin colour change or visual symptoms.
Frequently asked questions
Are fillers painful?
Most fillers contain lidocaine, and numbing cream is used, so discomfort is usually mild.
Can fillers be removed?
HA fillers can be dissolved with hyaluronidase; non-HA fillers cannot.
Can I fly after fillers?
Generally yes, but swelling may increase slightly; a short check before you leave is sensible.
References
- U.S. FDA – Dermal fillers (soft tissue fillers) patient information
- American Academy of Dermatology – Fillers overview
This article is general information, not medical advice or a diagnosis. Suitability, recovery and results vary from person to person. Please consult a qualified doctor before any procedure.
