Dermal Fillers FAQ

Dermal fillers are injections of ingredients such as hyaluronic acid that restore volume in hollow areas or define contours such as the nose bridge. The procedure is quick, needs no incision, and allows an immediate return to daily activities. Steady Plastic Surgery uses hyaluronic acid fillers, which are gradually absorbed over time. We perform filler treatments for all areas, including under-eye hollow filler and nose filler.

Dermal fillers add volume to hollow areas, while botulinum toxin reduces muscle movement to soften wrinkles or reduce muscle bulk. Fillers are considered when an area lacks volume, such as hollow under-eyes or a low nasal bridge, and botulinum toxin is considered when the cause is muscle, such as expression lines or a square jaw.

How long dermal fillers last depends on the type of filler, the treatment area, the amount injected and your metabolism. In many cases results last around 1 year, and filler in areas that move more tends to be absorbed faster.

Dermal fillers can be repeated by topping up what has been absorbed, but frequent touch-ups before the filler is absorbed can cause it to build up, making the area look spread out or the shape look unnatural. It is important to check how much of the previous filler remains and add only what is needed.

Besides temporary swelling, bruising, and pain at the injection site, dermal fillers can rarely cause lumps, asymmetry, filler showing through the skin, or filler migration. Very rarely, filler can block a blood vessel and cause serious complications such as skin necrosis or vision loss, so filler is injected with the location of blood vessels in mind, and a blunt-tipped cannula may be used to reduce the risk of vascular injury. If you notice changes in skin color, severe pain, or vision problems after the procedure, contact the clinic immediately.

Yes, hyaluronic acid fillers can be dissolved with an injection that breaks down filler (hyaluronidase). It is used when you are not satisfied with the shape or when lumps or migration occur, and filler can be injected again after dissolving.

After dermal filler treatment, avoid pressing or rubbing the treated area firmly for about 2 weeks so the shape can settle. Avoid alcohol, saunas, and strenuous exercise for 1 month, and wait 2 weeks before radiofrequency or ultrasound lifting treatments.

The cost of dermal fillers depends on the treatment area, type of filler and amount injected. Because the amount needed varies with your facial condition, an exact cost can be given after a consultation.

Under-eye filler is often suitable when a hollow tear trough casts a shadow or makes you look tired, and when there is almost no under-eye fat bulge but only hollowing. The procedure takes about 15 minutes, and you can return to daily activities right after. If under-eye fat is bulging, under-eye fat repositioning is considered instead of filler.

Because under-eye filler is injected into thin skin, the filler may show through with a bluish tint, swelling may last and look puffy, or it may clump and become lumpy. It is important to inject small amounts in divided portions at the right depth, and if problems occur, the filler can be dissolved to correct them. Very rarely, filler can block a blood vessel and cause skin necrosis or vision loss, so if you notice changes in skin color, severe pain, or vision problems after the procedure, contact the clinic immediately.

Yes, under-eye fat repositioning can be done after under-eye filler. Remaining filler can affect the surgical result, so it may be best to dissolve it first if needed, and letting us know the type and timing of your previous filler helps with planning.

Nose filler is considered when a low nose bridge makes the face look flat, or when the bridge line is uneven, as with a nasal hump or a crooked nose. It fills the low areas to straighten the line; the procedure takes about 10 minutes after numbing cream, and you can return to daily activities right away.

A nasal hump or crooked nose can often be improved with nose filler, because filling the low areas above and below the hump can smooth the line. However, filler does not shave bone or straighten a crooked bone, so if the hump or deviation is severe, filler alone has limits.

When nose filler is injected in an appropriate amount at the right layer, the nose usually does not look wider, but injecting a large amount at once or repeated touch-ups before the filler is absorbed can make the bridge look wide or spread out. It is important to choose an amount that suits your nasal skin and bridge width.

Besides temporary swelling, bruising, and redness of the nose bridge, nose filler can rarely cause asymmetry, a widened-looking nose bridge, or filler migration. The nose has many blood vessels, so very rarely filler can block a vessel and cause skin necrosis or vision loss; if the skin at the nose tip turns white or dark red, or you have severe pain or vision problems after the procedure, contact the clinic immediately.

After nose filler, it is best to avoid heavy glasses or sunglasses for about 2 weeks, because they can press on the nose bridge and change the shape of the filler. If you must wear glasses, wear light glasses for short periods or adjust the part that touches the bridge.

Lip filler adds volume and shape to the lips when thin lips look lacking in volume, or when the lip line is blurred or asymmetric. Because the lips move a lot, filler tends to be absorbed faster than in other areas, and too much can look unnatural, so it is important to choose a volume and shape that suit your facial proportions.

Forehead filler adds volume to create a rounded curve when a flat or sunken forehead makes the side profile look less defined. The forehead has blood vessels running through it, so the injection location and depth are chosen carefully, and too much can make the forehead look protruding. If you want longer-lasting volume over a wide area, a forehead fat graft may also be considered.

Nasolabial fold filler can help soften nasolabial folds when a hollow in that area makes them look deep. However, nasolabial folds are often caused by cheek sagging, so if sagging is severe, filler alone has limits and lifting is considered as well. Too much can make the area around the mouth look puffy, so it is important to choose an appropriate amount.

Aegyo-sal filler is a procedure that injects a small amount of filler into the aegyo-sal area just below the eye (the small fullness under the lower lash line) to create a plump aegyo-sal when you smile. It is less effective when the aegyo-sal already forms a large fold when you smile, and it can be expected to help when the aegyo-sal shape is present but lacks volume.

Marionette lines, which run from beside the corners of the mouth down toward the chin, often improve with marionette filler that fills the hollow areas. If they are caused by sagging of the cheeks and jawline, filler alone has limits and lifting is considered as well, and if the corners of the mouth look downturned, mouth corner filler or mouth corner botulinum toxin may be added.

A 'peanut-shaped' face, in which the side cheeks below the cheekbones are hollow so the area between the cheekbones and jaw looks sunken, can be softened with side cheek filler that fills the hollow. When the side cheeks are filled, the cheekbones look less prominent and the facial contour connects smoothly, which can give a softer look.

Mouth corner filler fills the corners of the upper lip so the mouth corners can look more lifted, while mouth corner botulinum toxin reduces the strength of the muscle that pulls the corners of the mouth down so they turn upward. The two are often done together.

After lip filler, the lips can look swollen, with swelling usually peaking on days 1–2 and then gradually going down. Before the swelling subsides, the lips may look overfilled, so it is best to judge the final shape after the swelling is gone. Bruising can occur, and if you have severe pain or the lips turn white, contact the clinic immediately.