fillers

Dermal fillers are injectable gels — most commonly hyaluronic acid — that add volume, contour, and structure to specific areas of the face. They fill in lines, restore lost volume, define features, and lift areas the face has lost over time. Common families: Juvederm, Restylane, Belotero. Sculptra and Radiesse are biostimulators and work differently — they belong in their own category.

Six to eighteen months, depending on the product and the area. Lip filler typically lasts six to twelve months. Cheek and structural filler lasts twelve to eighteen months. Areas that move more (lips) metabolize filler faster than areas that don't (cheeks). Your provider will set realistic expectations during consultation.

Lips, cheeks, under-eyes (tear troughs), nasolabial folds, marionette lines, jawline, and chin. Less common but powerful: temples, hands, and earlobes. The right map depends on your face — adding volume to one area can rebalance the whole picture. Less is almost always more in the first session.

Most fillers contain lidocaine, which numbs as the injection progresses. We also apply topical numbing for sensitive areas like lips. Most guests describe the sensation as a pinch followed by pressure — manageable, not severe. After: some pressure and swelling, occasional bruising for a few days.

Expect swelling and possible bruising for two to seven days. Avoid workouts, heat, alcohol, and blood-thinning supplements for 24 hours. Don't apply heavy pressure to the area for a few days. Lips swell more than other areas — most guests have some asymmetry and puffiness for the first week. The final result settles around two weeks.

Hyaluronic acid filler — the most common family — can be dissolved with an enzyme called hyaluronidase. It works within hours to days. Biostimulators (Sculptra, Radiesse) cannot be dissolved the same way. This is one of many reasons we recommend starting conservative — you can always add more, but reversing the wrong filler is harder.