Do dermal fillers hurt?
Fillers are more comfortable than most people expect. Nearly all modern fillers contain lidocaine, and topical numbing cream is applied beforehand, so most patients feel pressure rather than pain. Lips are the most sensitive area and still very tolerable. Using a blunt cannula instead of a needle for some areas further reduces discomfort and bruising.
Three things make filler comfortable: numbing cream for 15 to 20 minutes before treatment, the lidocaine built into the product, which numbs the tissue as it is placed, and good technique.
What it actually feels like
- A brief pinch as the needle or cannula enters
- Pressure or a dull ache as the gel is placed, especially in the cheeks or chin
- Lips sting more than other areas but numb quickly
Afterward, expect tenderness for a day or two and possible bruising. Avoiding aspirin, ibuprofen, fish oil and alcohol for a few days beforehand helps. Dr. Darvish has placed thousands of filler treatments and prioritizes comfort as much as results.
Related
More about dermal fillers
How long do dermal fillers last?
Most hyaluronic acid fillers last nine to eighteen months depending on the product and where it is placed. Lip fillers tend toward the shorter end because lips move so much; firm fillers in the cheeks, chin and jawline, like Voluma and Volux, often last eighteen months or more. Radiesse lasts about a year and Sculptra stimulates your own collagen for two years or longer. Read more
How much does dermal filler cost in Los Angeles?
Dermal filler in Los Angeles is priced per syringe, and the total depends on the product and how many syringes your plan needs. Lips usually take one syringe; cheeks or a jawline commonly take two to four. Physician-injected filler costs more than a med spa, and the difference is in placement, safety and how natural it looks. Skinpeccable quotes an exact price at a complimentary consultation. Read more
Juvéderm or Restylane: which is better?
Neither is better overall; they excel in different places. Juvéderm products are smoother and more cohesive, with strong lifters like Voluma for cheeks and Volux for the jawline. Restylane products are slightly firmer and more particulate, which makes options like Restylane-L and Eyelight favorites for the under-eyes and for precise lip definition. A good injector uses both. Read more
Can dermal filler be dissolved?
Yes. Hyaluronic acid fillers such as Juvéderm, Restylane, RHA and Versa can be dissolved with an injectable enzyme called hyaluronidase (Hylenex). It works within 24 to 48 hours and can remove all or part of the filler. Radiesse and Sculptra are not hyaluronic acid and cannot be dissolved this way, which is one reason hyaluronic acid fillers are the first choice for most areas. Read more
What is the best filler for lips?
The best lip fillers are soft, flexible hyaluronic acid gels that move naturally with the mouth: Revanesse Versa, RHA 2 and RHA 3, Restylane Kysse, and Juvéderm Volbella or Ultra. Versa is known for less swelling, RHA for natural movement, Kysse for definition, and Volbella for subtle smoothing. The right choice depends on whether you want volume, shape, hydration or a mix. Read more
How long does lip filler swelling last?
Lip filler swelling peaks in the first 24 to 48 hours and mostly settles within three to five days, with the final shape visible at about two weeks. Lips swell more than other areas because the tissue is loose and highly vascular. Ice, sleeping elevated, and avoiding salt, alcohol and heavy exercise for a day or two help. Versa is known for less swelling than other fillers. Read more
Can filler fix under-eye hollows and dark circles?
Yes, when the dark circle is caused by a hollow (a tear trough) that casts a shadow. A thin hyaluronic acid filler such as Restylane-L, Eyelight or Belotero placed along the hollow smooths the transition between the lower lid and the cheek and brightens the area. It does not help circles caused by pigment or visible veins, which need laser or skincare instead. Read more
What is the RHA Collection of fillers?
The RHA Collection (Redensity, RHA 2, RHA 3 and RHA 4) is a line of hyaluronic acid fillers made with minimal cross-linking so the gel stretches and recovers with facial movement. It is the first filler line FDA-approved for dynamic wrinkles, the lines that form when you talk, smile and frown. Results look natural at rest and in motion and last twelve to fifteen months. Read more