8 Things You Need to Know About Getting Dermal Filler

Not All Fillers Are The Same

Filler comes in a lot of different varieties in order to address different needs. “Different HA fillers have different properties due to the way they are made, like crosslinking or the size of the particles,” Dr. Sarhaddi explains. “This makes some more flexible or [others] more structural, so they can serve different purposes.” Skilled practitioners understand all these nuances and know what type of filler to use for your specific goals and needs. 

It Lasts Between 6 Months to Several Years

One of the most common questions people have about dermal filler is how long it lasts. The answer is that it depends on the type of filler used and where it’s injected. 

“Mobile places that require more flexible and thinner filler, like the lips, may last about six months to a year before a touch up might be desired,” Dr. Sarhaddi says. “Less mobile places on the face that can handle thicker filler, like down on the bone in the cheekbones or the chin or jawline, can last up to two years before a patient might notice some contour change and want a touchup.” 

She adds that you don’t need to get filler every six months or even every year. Only get a little bit when you need it—when there is deflation. This may be once every two years.

Filler Can Migrate

Many are concerned about whether filler can migrate or shift around to different areas from where it’s applied. Fortunately, this isn’t common but it can happen, says Morgan Rabach, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist at LM Medical in New York City. “It can migrate if too much filler is used or if it is placed in an area with active muscle,” she explains. 

This is most likely to happen with poor injecting technique, which is a good reason to only work with reputable, established injectors. Filler can also migrate in areas where the face is very mobile, like around the lips. 

Filler Doesn’t Lift—It Fills

Before getting filler, it’s important to understand what it can and can’t do for you. It doesn’t smooth wrinkles like Botox, nor does it create lift if you’re concerned about jowling or skin laxity.

“Putting filler in your cheek will in no way lift your jowls or correct your nasolabial folds. This myth is what creates the very odd, puffy, abnormal appearance of the filler face,” notes Dr. Sarhaddi. “Patients will inevitably ‘graduate’ from fillers and require surgical correction to reach their aesthetic goals.” In other words: to get that lift you’re probably going to need surgery. 

You Can See Results Right Away and Over Time

Dermal filler injections offer immediate gratification in the sense that you can see the results right away, Dr. Rabach says. This is unlike other anti-aging treatments, such as neuromodulators that can take one to two weeks to kick in or radiofrequency that can sometimes take months before results appear. Another benefit of this is that you can make tweaks and adjustments in real time. 

You Can Have HA Filler Dissolved

Hyaluronic acid-based filler can be dissolved with an enzyme called hyaluronidase. Sometimes it takes a few rounds of hyaluronidase injection to get rid of it all, but it does work.

“Patients may want to get filler dissolved for reasons such as filler migration (it can happen over time in the lips), intermittent or chronic swelling (most typical around the eyes, and can happen years down the line), or simply a change in aesthetic (wanting less full cheeks or lips for example),” Dr. Sarhaddi says. Sometimes it also needs to be dissolved before surgery. 

It’s Not Exactly Cheap

Dermal filler is an investment. On average, you can expect to pay between $500 to $900 per 1cc syringe. About one syringe is usually enough for lips, jaw contouring usually takes two to four, dermal “nose jobs” are often about one syringe, and cheeks are usually about one to two syringes per side.

You Get What You Pay For

Anytime injectables are concerned, it’s important to seek out the best of the best. This is not a situation where a Groupon bargain makes sense or an enticing deal should sway you. We’re talking about a medical procedure here! “A more experienced injector or a plastic surgeon who regularly performs injections is going to cost more, but the results will most likely be better and treatment will be safer,” Dr. Sarhaddi says.