Facial fillers are substances injected into the skin to smooth wrinkles and make them less visible. This outpatient procedure involves numbing medication and takes up to an hour to complete.

After the procedure, you may experience mild discomfort, bruising, and swelling for up to a week. Once the swelling subsides, a follow-up injection might be necessary to achieve the best results. The duration of the effects varies depending on the type of wrinkle, the filler used, and other factors.

Facial fillers, also known as soft tissue fillers, are generally not recommended for individuals with weakened immune systems or those taking blood-thinning medications (anticoagulants).

Types of Facial Fillers

Facial fillers are a wide range of chemicals used to address a variety of cosmetic concerns:

• Hyaluronic Acid (Restylane, Juvederm, and others): Hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring component of the skin's connective tissue, is the most commonly used wrinkle filler. Results usually last six to twelve months.
• Calcium Hydroxylapatite (Radiesse): This filler is used to shape the jawline, provide volume to the cheekbones, and treat deeper wrinkles and skin folds. The contouring results can last up to a year, while wrinkle fillers can last up to three years.
• Fat Grafting: This treatment involves removing fat from regions such as the lower belly via liposuction and injecting it into the cheekbones, temples, lips, or forehead through small incisions. While the effects may be lifelong, getting the desired results typically requires multiple sessions and overfilling as the body reabsorbs some of the fat.
• Permanent Soft Tissue Filler (Bellafill): This filler is used to smooth deep wrinkles around the lips and is not absorbed by the body, therefore there is no need for reinjection. However, it is not suggested for first-time facial filler treatments.
• Poly-L-lactic Acid: This product restores facial volume lost due to age or disease. generally, two or three treatments are required, with the results lasting up to two years.