What Are Dermal Fillers and How Do They Work?

Look in the mirror long enough, and you’ll start spotting the little changes—flattened cheeks, deeper folds, lips that don’t hold shape like they used to. Dermal fillers are the fix for that. No scalpel, no stitches, just a few injections.

They’re used to restore volume that’s faded with age, smooth out static wrinkles, and sharpen the contours of the face. People turn to them not out of medical necessity, but because they want to look more rested, more symmetrical, or sometimes just a little more like themselves again.

In clinical terms, fillers are categorized as medical devices. They aren’t medications in the traditional sense. But in the right hands, they can deliver results as impactful as surgery—with a fraction of the risk and downtime.

Their rise has been dramatic. In the early 2000s, they were niche. Now? They’re everywhere. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports a more than 300% increase in filler use since 2000. That’s not just a trend—that’s a shift in how we think about aging.

What Are Dermal Fillers Made Of?

Not all fillers are created equal. Their effects depend on what they’re made of—and how your body reacts to them. If you’re new to this, it helps to read through the types of dermal fillers explained to understand what each option actually does beneath the skin.

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is the most widely used material. Your body already makes it. It’s what helps your skin hold moisture and volume. In fillers, it’s modified to make it more stable and longer-lasting. Brands like Restylane and Juvederm each have their own formulas. Some versions are soft and fluid, great for lips or fine lines. Others are thicker and more structured, built for cheeks or jawlines. The key difference lies in the cross-linking—how tightly the molecules are bonded. The tighter the links, the firmer and longer the gel lasts.

Calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) is a mineral-based filler. It’s used when more lift and structure are needed. It comes suspended in a gel, with tiny spheres that sit in the tissue and trigger collagen production over time. You’ll find it in products like Radiesse. The effects are twofold—instant volume from the gel, and gradual skin improvement as your body builds collagen around the particles.

Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) works differently. There’s no instant plumping. Instead, it’s designed to kick-start your skin’s own collagen-building process. Think of it like planting seeds—you won’t see much at first, but give it time. Sculptra, the main PLLA filler, is often done in a series of treatments, spaced weeks apart. The results come slowly, but they tend to last longer than HA.

In some cases, practitioners may combine different fillers to achieve layered results—HA for volume, PLLA for collagen, for instance. If you’re wondering can you mix dermal fillers safely, the answer is yes—when done correctly by someone trained in multi-product strategies.

What Do Dermal Fillers Do?

At the simplest level, fillers replace what time takes away.

Facial fat isn’t static—it shrinks, shifts, and slides downward. The cheek pads fall, the under-eye hollows deepen, and folds around the mouth become more pronounced. Fillers can counteract all of that by adding volume back where it’s missing.

They also help smooth out deep lines caused by skin folding. Unlike Botox, which stops muscle movement, fillers work by lifting the skin itself. So they’re best for static wrinkles—lines that stick around even when the face is still.

Not everything they do is anti-aging. Some people use them to tweak what nature gave them. Lips, chins, jawlines—they can all be enhanced for balance or symmetry. In younger patients, fillers are more about contouring than restoration.

And then there’s structural support. As we age, the bones in the face recede and the ligaments loosen. Strategic filler placement can act like temporary scaffolding, holding soft tissue in place and preserving the shape of the face.

Results are usually visible right away. That said, it can take a couple of weeks for swelling to fade and the filler to fully settle.

Common Areas Where Dermal Fillers Are Used

Where fillers go—and how they’re placed—depends heavily on anatomy. Here’s how it usually breaks down:

Cheeks and midface: One of the first areas to lose volume. Adding filler here can restore contour and lift the lower face slightly. The trick is to place it deep, near the bone, to avoid puffiness and give solid support.

Lips and perioral area: The lips are complex. Volume, shape, and border definition all need to be handled differently. Too much filler here is obvious. The best results look unfilled—but better.

Nasolabial folds: Those smile lines aren’t just about the crease. They’re a sign of midface volume loss. Instead of filling the line itself, many injectors now treat the cheeks, which softens the fold indirectly and looks more natural.

Jawline and chin: A sharp jawline signals youth and strength. Fillers here help define the edges, especially when age or genetics have blurred them. Deep injections with a firmer gel give the cleanest look.

Tear troughs: A notoriously tricky area. The skin is thin, the vessels are dense, and mistakes are hard to hide. Small amounts of soft filler can brighten the under-eyes, but the injector needs experience.

Temples: Most people overlook this area, but volume loss at the temples makes the upper face look hollow. Restoring it can round out the facial shape and soften harsh transitions.

How Long Do Dermal Fillers Last?

That depends on several things: the product used, where it’s placed, and your body’s metabolism.

• HA fillers tend to last 6 to 18 months. Lips fade faster (due to movement); cheeks and temples usually hold longer.
  CaHA often sticks around for 12 to 18 months, with some added benefit from new collagen even after the gel fades.
• PLLA doesn’t give immediate volume, but the collagen it builds can last up to two years.

Who Should Consider Dermal Fillers?

The best candidates have clear, realistic goals. They understand what fillers can and can’t do—and they’re open to subtle change rather than dramatic overhaul.

Ideal patients are generally healthy and fall in the 30–70 age range. Younger clients often seek enhancement. Older ones are usually correcting volume loss.

And while it might seem convenient to buy dermal fillers online, it’s important to remember these are medical devices. Always consult a licensed provider—injecting at home or without supervision is never worth the risk.

What to Expect During Treatment

It starts with a consult. Your injector should take a thorough medical history, examine your face, and map out a treatment plan. Photos are often taken before and after for reference.

A numbing cream goes on before the procedure. Most modern fillers contain lidocaine as well, which helps reduce discomfort during injection.

Needles allow for precision; cannulas reduce bruising. Each has its place. The technique depends on the area, the filler, and the outcome you’re going for.

Afterward, expect some swelling, tenderness, and maybe light bruising. Ice can help. You’ll be told to avoid alcohol, heavy exercise, and NSAIDs for a day or two.

Are Dermal Fillers Safe?

Generally, yes—when done by someone trained and experienced.

Common side effects are mild and temporary: swelling, bruising, redness, and tenderness. Serious complications—like vascular occlusion (when filler blocks a blood vessel)—are rare but real. That’s why proper training matters.

References

The Plastics Fella. (2025, April 20). Injectable fillers: Classification, indications, & injection techniques. Retrieved from
https://www.theplasticsfella.com/fillers/

Skinfinity Derma. (2025, May 14). Different types of fillers: Which one is right for you in 2025? Retrieved from
https://www.skinfinityderma.com/types-of-dermal-fillers-2025-guide/

Aesthetics Medspa. (2025, January 20). Types of dermal fillers: Top 5 facial fillers to try in 2025. Retrieved from 
https://aestheticsmedspa.com/types-of-dermal-fillers/