What are dermal fillers and how do they work?
Dermal fillers are FDA-approved and commonly composed of semi-permanent or permanent substances like hyaluronic acid—a naturally occurring compound in the body. These minimally invasive treatments help restore volume in areas affected by aging, sagging skin, and wrinkles, while also enhancing the appearance of the lips and cheeks.
After being injected, dermal fillers attract water molecules, which help to further plump the skin, provide structural support, and stimulate collagen production. This ongoing collagen stimulation contributes to longer-lasting improvements over time.
While a single treatment can deliver results that may last up to 18 months—depending on the filler type and the targeted area—many people opt for regular treatments to maintain long-term anti-aging effects.
What to Expect
Before Your Procedure — Pre-Treatment Instructions
To reduce the risk of bleeding and bruising for both BTA injections and Filler injections,
avoid the following for 2 days prior to treatments:
- Alcoholic Beverages
- Anti-inflammatories
- Aspirin
- Vitamin E
- Ginkgo Biloba
During Your Procedure
During your procedure, a medical professional course will examine your face and speak to you about your expectations. A treatment plan will be discussed with you, and upon your acceptance the procedures will be performed. We may have to remove some of your make-up in preparation for the procedure. During the procedure, you may feel some pain from the injections, but it is generally a light pain. Patients uniformly tolerate these injections quite well. It is possible to have some bruising following these procedures, though uncommon. Holding cold compresses on your face following the procedure can minimize swelling (for filler treatments) and prevent bruising. Bruising, if present, should not last beyond a week and usually resolves within a few days.
After Your Procedure: Post-Treatment Instructions
Depending on the filler material used, you will begin to see the results from your procedure
immediately or soon after the procedure. For most injectable filler products, you should notice an improvement in your wrinkles and facial appearance either by the time your leave the course or by the end of the first week. You may have some redness of the skin around the injection’s sites for the first day – this is not an allergic reaction. You may also notice some very slight swelling that will subside by the first day or two. Though uncommon, you may have a small amount of bleeding from the injection sites and may develop bruising. If you notice this, hold pressure for fifteen minutes and apply cold compresses frequently for a couple of days. Bruising, if present, should not last beyond a week and usually resolves within a few days. Other important factors to remember including:
- You may apply ice, as needed, for the remainder of the day to reduce swelling
- Gently massage any nodules that may appear during the next 24 hours
- Avoid prolonged sun or UV exposure for two weeks
- Avoid saunas and steam baths for two weeks
- Avoid makeup for four hours after injections