Hyaluronic acid fillers: volume, folds and facial contour

How it works

With aging, the face loses volume: the facial bones are reabsorbed, the fat compartments shrink and shift, and the skin loses support. The result is deeper folds, hollow under-eyes and loss of contour definition.

The hyaluronic acid used in fillers is a laboratory-made gel, similar to the one naturally present in the skin. Applied in specific planes and points, it restores lost volume and gives support back to the tissues. There are gels of different consistencies: firmer ones are used where projection is needed, such as the chin and jawline, and softer ones in areas of thin skin, such as the under-eyes and lips.

Because the plan is made by region and by amount of product (in milliliters), the treatment is individualized for each face.

Indications

• Volume loss and foldsNasolabial folds, temples, cheeks and marionette lines.
• Facial contour and double chinDefinition of the jawline and chin.
• Dark circlesHollow under-eyes (tear trough).
• LipsLip contour, volume and hydration.
• NoseCorrection of nose irregularities, without surgery.

Treated areas

What a session is like

The doctor assesses the face at rest and in motion, analyzes its proportions and marks the injection areas. After the skin is cleaned and a numbing cream is applied, the gel is injected with a fine needle or a cannula (a blunt-tipped needle that reduces the risk of bruising). Most fillers contain anesthetic in their formula, which makes the application more comfortable.

Recovery

You can return to your activities on the same day. Swelling, tenderness and small bruises are common in the first few days.

Sessions and results

The result is visible right after the application and settles over the following weeks, as the swelling goes down. The number of sessions and the interval between them depend on the dermatologist's individual evaluation and on each patient's clinical concern. The average duration is 12 to 18 months and varies from person to person.

Contraindications

Fillers are not recommended during pregnancy and breastfeeding, over infections, herpes or active inflammation in the area, or for people allergic to the product's components. Active autoimmune diseases, use of anticoagulants and previous permanent fillers in the area require evaluation; in these cases, dermatologic ultrasound can help locate products already applied.

At the evaluation, the dermatologist reviews your health history, current medications and previous procedures to confirm the indication.