With age, we lose subcutaneous fat in our faces, resulting in features like crow’s feet and smile lines because facial muscles begin working on a close level to the skin. Dermal fillers can serve as an effective solution by diminishing the appearance of facial lines and restoring volume and fullness to the face.
Dermal fillers also have other uses, such as:
- Plumping thin lips.
- Diminishing creases and wrinkles.
- Reducing apparent scarring.
- Leveling deformities in the face.
Who Can Get Dermal Fillers?
You’re a great candidate for dermal fillers if you’re an overall physically healthy person, are committed to a plausibly healthy lifestyle, and have realistic goals in mind for improving your appearance.
Pricing for Dermal Fillers
There are various types of dermal fillers on the market. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons prices them per cost of the syringe. For desired results, most patients need many injections to achieve desired results.
| Type of Dermal Filler | Average Cost |
| Calcium Hydroxylapatite (Radiesse) | $691 |
| Fat Graft | $2,126 |
| Hyaluronic Acid | $682 |
| Platelet-Rich Plasma | $683 |
In general terms, the cost for dermal filler injections usually varies based on the expertise and qualifications of the provider or physician. Other influences are the procedure itself, time, and effort it requires.
Complications can occur from dermal filler injections, just like any other medical procedure. Therefore we recommend that a board-certified plastic surgeon treat you for desired results and your overall safety.
The Dermal Filler Procedure
General Assessment
If you’re going to be injected with soft tissue fillers, the plastic surgeon or a specially trained physician will evaluate your facial appearance, skin tone, and other areas of the face to be augmented. The soon-to-be treated areas will usually be marked or photographed.
Cleaning
The treatment site will be cleaned with antibacterials. Local anesthesia or numbing medication can be applied to the treated area to subdue the pain induced by the dermal filler injections.
Injecting
The physician will inject the filler into specific areas to give your face the desired results. Massaging and constant evaluation of those areas will be performed after each injection. Each procedure usually lasts about 15 minutes to an hour, depending on the number of areas treated.
Recovery
The post-procedure steps consist of cleaning the treated area and applying a numbing agent such as an ice pack or anesthetic cream. This procedure is not painful enough to require pain medications.
The Bottom Line
Removing signs of age or altering your facial appearance is quite straightforward with dermal fillers. It’s a quick cosmetic procedure that can be performed by a specialist in the area. Always work with board-certified surgeons to get the best results.