If you’re researching dermal fillers, the most common questions patients ask at Commonwealth Plastic Surgery are typically about safety, longevity, results, and what to expect before and after treatment. For example: Are fillers safe? What happens during a treatment? How long do dermal fillers last? Our Lexington, KY, team answers these and many other top dermal filler questions, so keep reading.
What Are Dermal Fillers?
Dermal fillers are gels injected into specific areas of your face to fill in wrinkles, fine lines, and hollows. Some dermal fillers contain hyaluronic acid (HA), a naturally occurring substance in the skin that boosts hydration. Dermal fillers can address specific concerns such as loss of volume in the skin or improve the overall quality and texture of the skin.
What To Expect During Your Dermal Filler Procedure
During a dermal filler procedure, you can expect a quick, in-office treatment with minimal discomfort and little to no downtime. During the procedure, your provider will evaluate your facial structure and mark the areas to be injected. They will clean the injection sites and may apply a topical numbing agent to ensure your comfort during treatment. Each injection lasts only a few minutes, and the whole process can take anywhere from 15 minutes to 1 hour. You may return to most of your regular daily activities immediately after treatment.
How Long Do Dermal Fillers Last?
The longevity of dermal fillers varies depending on the type of fillers used, the injection location, and your body’s ability to metabolize the filler ingredients. Fillers such as Restylane® and Juvederm® contain HA, which breaks down and is absorbed by the body after 6 to 18 months. For lip fillers specifically, results often fall on the shorter end of that range—typically 6 to 12 months—because the lips are a highly mobile area that naturally breaks down filler more quickly. During your personalized consultation, we’ll provide a timeline for how long your specific dermal fillers will last.
How Can I Maintain My Dermal Fillers Results?
To preserve your filler results, it’s essential to follow your injector’s post-care recommendations, such as sleeping on your back and avoiding strenuous activity right after the procedure. After the initial healing, it’s important to use a moisturizer and sunscreen consistently to keep your skin hydrated and protected. You can also discuss when to get touch-ups with your provider, which will help extend your dermal filler results.
Are Dermal Fillers Safe?
Dermal filler treatments are considered safe when a qualified, experienced injector performs the injections using FDA-approved fillers. Our injectables are administered under the supervision of board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Jared Nimtz. As with any cosmetic procedure, you may experience mild swelling, bruising, and redness at the injection sites. Your injector will advise you on possible side effects and complications.
Harvard Health Publishing talks more about the safety and possible side effects of dermal fillers.
Am I a Good Candidate for Dermal Fillers?
Men and women who want to add facial volume, improve fine lines, and smooth out acne scars are usually good candidates for dermal fillers. The best candidates are physically healthy nonsmokers who are at a stable weight. (Smoking and large weight fluctuations can often compromise results.)
If your primary concern is smoothing wrinkles, you may be a better candidate for BOTOX® Cosmetic or Dysport®. Patients with severe creases, folds, and skin laxity typically benefit from facial plastic surgery vs injectables for comprehensive, long-lasting results.
What’s the Next Step?
Dermal fillers are a great way to restore a youthful appearance and add volume and definition to your facial features. If you are ready to explore facial rejuvenation, request a consultation or call us at (859) 277-9435 to schedule an appointment.
This blog post was originally published in July 2022 and updated in April 2026.
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