Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers are generally very well tolerated, with minimal discomfort during the procedure. Most modern fillers contain lidocaine, a built-in anesthetic that helps numb the area as it’s being injected. Before treatment begins, your provider may also apply a topical numbing cream or use an ice pack to further reduce any sensation. Patients often describe the feeling as a series of light pinches or a slight pressure under the skin.

After your appointment, you might feel some tenderness or mild swelling in the treated area, but this typically fades within 24–48 hours. If you’re nervous about discomfort, just let us know—your provider can customize the experience to keep you relaxed and comfortable from start to finish.

Most patients only need one treatment session to achieve beautiful, noticeable results. However, the number of syringes needed will depend on your goals, the treatment area, and your facial anatomy. For example, subtle lip enhancement may require only a single syringe, whereas restoring volume to the cheeks or jawline may require more than one syringe.

We also recommend routine maintenance treatments every 6–18 months, depending on the type of filler used and your body’s metabolism of the filler. Some patients prefer to come in for small touch-ups over time to keep their results fresh and long-lasting. Your provider will help you build a personalized plan based on your preferences.

With most hyaluronic acid-based fillers like JUVÉDERM and Restylane, you’ll see immediate improvement after your treatment. The area will look fuller, smoother, and more lifted right away. That said, you might notice slight swelling or bruising for a few days, so final results often settle and look their best within 3 to 7 days.

For biostimulatory fillers like Sculptra Aesthetic, results appear more gradually as the product stimulates your body’s collagen production. You’ll typically notice improvements over 6 to 12 weeks, with results continuing to build over time and lasting up to two years.

Absolutely, and it’s actually very common to do so. Many patients choose to combine dermal fillers with BOTOX or other wrinkle relaxers to treat both volume loss and expression lines in one visit. This pairing is often referred to as a “liquid facelift.”

You can also combine fillers with skin-focused treatments such as microneedling, laser resurfacing, chemical peels, or radiofrequency therapy for even more comprehensive rejuvenation. These combos are popular for treating multiple concerns at once, such as tone, texture, and firmness, as well as volume and contour. Your provider will guide you through the safest and most effective treatment combinations during your consultation.

When performed by a trained and experienced injector, dermal fillers are considered very safe and low-risk. That said, every cosmetic procedure comes with some level of risk, and we believe in keeping you fully informed. Mild side effects like swelling, bruising, tenderness, or redness are common and usually resolve on their own within a few days.

More serious complications are rare but can include infection, allergic reaction, or vascular occlusion (when filler blocks a blood vessel). That’s why it’s so important to choose a reputable practice that prioritizes anatomy, safety, and precision.