Fillers 101: Your Questions Answered

If you’ve ever considered getting dermal fillers to correct your fine lines, wrinkles, or loss of facial volume, you probably have a lot of questions. In this post, we cover everything you may want to know about getting dermal filler injections for the first time.

What are fillers?

Fillers are gelatinous solutions that are injected into the face and hands to smooth skin and increase volume.

What are fillers made of?

Fillers come in many varieties with differing primary ingredients. The most common key ingredients in fillers are:

  • Hyaluronic acid (HA)
  • Hydroxylapatite
  • Polymethylmethacrylate
  • Poly-L-lactic acid

Am I a good candidate for fillers?

Your doctor or aesthetician will do a full evaluation to determine if dermal fillers are right for you. Typically, as long as you are in good health and don’t smoke, fillers are safe. However, if you have any of the following, you may want to skip fillers and discuss alternatives:

  • An active rash or inflammation of the facial skin
  • An allergy to any of the filler ingredients
  • A bleeding disorder
  • You are pregnant or breastfeeding
  • You are under age 18
  • You are susceptible to skin scarring, keloids, or overgrowth of scar tissue

Do fillers hurt?

While everyone experiences pain differently, most people report that having fillers injected is much less painful than they expected. We apply a topical numbing agent to the injection site first and provide you with after-care instructions to minimize discomfort.

How should I prepare for my filler appointment?

You should stop taking any over-the-counter blood thinners, like aspirin or NSAIDs, for one week prior to your filler appointment. Also avoid fish oil supplements, vitamin E supplements, and all herbal supplements for a few days prior to your appointment, unless they are medically necessary. Either way, always inform your practitioner of any supplements you take before receiving filler injections.

DO NOT stop taking any prescription blood thinners without first talking to your doctor. 

What is recovery like? Is there any downtime after my filler appointment?

The recovery instructions will vary from filler to filler, but in general, you should avoid lying down for a few hours after your appointment. Avoid any extra pressure or heat to the facial area for at least 24 hours after having fillers injected, so no visits to the gym or running sessions! 

Apply a cold compress to the injection site for 5-10 minutes every hour on the day of treatment. You will likely have bruising and swelling at the injection site, so be sure to schedule your filler appointment at least 4-5 days before any big events to allow time for these to resolve.

How long do fillers last?

Different fillers have different life expectancies, but fillers typically last six months to two years. This is highly dependent on the type of filler, the treatment site, and the amount of filler used.

Dermal Fillers in Tampa Bay

If you’d like to give dermal fillers a try, trust the aesthetic experts at Ultimate Image Cosmetic Medical Center in Tampa Bay to give you natural-looking results with minimal downtime. Call us at (727) 799-7000 or contact us online to schedule your filler consultation today!