Everything you need to know about Injectable Fillers
Injectable fillers are a class of substances that can temporarily restore plumpness to areas that typically lose volume over time (such as cheeks!), add fullness to slim or thinning lips, and help smooth deep-set “parentheses lines” around the nose and mouth. Basically, it complements some of the features that make for a gorgeous smile (a chic lipstick and teeth whitening, you’ll need to take care of on your own).
What concerns can they address?
- Volume Loss: Add plumpness to the cheeks
- Laugh Lines: Smooth the appearance of deep lines and wrinkles
- Lips: Make lips look more voluminous
How do they work?
Injectable fillers are made from a range of different substances, but the secret ingredient in the most commonly used injectable fillers today is a modified version of hyaluronic acid — a water-loving molecule, found naturally in the skin. You may recognize hyaluronic acid as a hero ingredient used in popular skin creams. This molecule is the backbone of many soft, gel-like injectable fillers, which are injected under the skin to give cheek hollows, lips, and deep facial wrinkles a plumping boost.
Do they hurt?
Topical numbing cream can help minimize pain from the needle insertion, along with the lidocaine that is added to most injectable fillers. Injecting certain areas of the face, including the cupid’s bow area of the lips, can elicit a pinching feeling, while other areas are less noticeable.
How much do they cost?
The price of injectable fillers varies, depending on what you need. Your cost not only includes the price of the product, but more importantly, the skill and expertise of the provider who is administering your treatment. It’s super important to find someone with experience who will take the time to understand your treatment goals and develop a treatment plan that is right for you. On average, this service ranges between $600 to $1,000.
What are the risks?
- The lowdown is that injectable fillers are generally safe when administered by a trained professional, but there are some potential side effects.
- The most common side effects of injectable fillers include tenderness, swelling, firmness, lumps/bumps, bruising, pain, redness, discoloration and itching. How long they last can depend on your health history, injector technique, product injected, and area of the face treated. There is also a risk of infection with all injectable procedures.
- One of the rare risks with using injectable fillers is unintentional injection into a blood vessel. These complications can be serious and may be permanent and can include vision abnormalities, blindness, stroke, temporary scabs or permanent scarring.
- Talk to your doctor about any medications you are taking, such as those to suppress the immune system and blood thinners, as these may increase risks of infection or increased bleeding with injections. Also, let your doctor know if you have a history of allergic reactions, or allergies to lidocaine, as well as hyperpigmentation or excessive scarring.
Are they right for me?
If you are concerned about a loss of facial volume or deepening facial lines, injectable fillers can be a fantastic treatment option. While the word “injectable fillers” may conjure images of the overinflated looks from reality TV, the truth is that injectable fillers are usually very subtle! Since they are administered through a measured syringe, the amount of injectable filler can be adjusted to meet your desired level of volume. Talking to a certified provider is the best way to learn how injectable fillers could help restore volume to your facial features. Chat with our team of trained aesthetic specialists and book a consultation with a provider near you!
What outcome can I expect after treatment?
You will see some results immediately and significant improvement within 2 weeks. Injectable fillers last from 6 months up to 2 years.
The Process
Consultation
Injectable fillers are administered by a healthcare professional, often a dermatologist or plastic surgeon. Make sure you do your research by checking out the pro’s work (often they share “before” and “after” images on social media), setting up a consultation, and reading reviews.
Procedure
Your doctor will typically apply a topical numbing cream on the treatment area around 30 minutes prior to the treatment (certain areas, including the lips, are more sensitive). Once the area feels numb, your provider will begin the injections. Of course, the length of the treatment depends on the number of areas you’re filling, but generally the process may be over within 15 minutes or so. Note that it is recommended to lay off blood thinners like fish oil and ibuprofen in the week or two before treatment.
Recovery
Your recovery time depends on several factors, so talk to your doctor about what to expect before and after the deed is done. Post-treatment, you’ll likely be given an ice pack to keep swelling at bay. Swelling is sometimes unavoidable, but there are ways to help reduce it. You may also notice slight redness or bruising at the injection site, which can usually be covered with a good concealer, foundation or lipstick. Your provider can weigh in on how long you should wait to apply makeup post-treatment. Another tip is to avoid intense exercise for the first day or two, and try to keep your head elevated with some extra pillows when you sleep. Otherwise, you can get up, walk around, and resume most activities as soon as you’re finished!
Results
Hyaluronic acid filler results are immediate. If you experience swelling, you will see the best results once this goes down. But of course, results vary from person to person.
Next Steps
Just as the fat underneath our skin fades over time, so do injectable fillers. Most hyaluronic acid filler formulas will last from six months up to two years, depending on the product and area of the face treated. Factors such as movement within an area and how quickly your body metabolizes the filler all affect how long the injectable fillers will last.