Overview

Facial fillers are gel-like substances injected into or under the skin to smooth it and make wrinkles less noticeable. Before the facial filler is injected, you're given a numbing medicine.

Facial fillers are biodegradable materials that dissolve over time and are absorbed by the body. They're also called soft tissue fillers. The procedure usually isn't suggested for people with bleeding disorders, a weak immune system and certain other conditions.

Types of facial fillers

Facial fillers for wrinkles that are FDA-approved injectables include:

  • Hyaluronic acid (Restylane, Juvederm, others). This is the most common filler used for wrinkles. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring sugar in the body. The results typically last 6 to 12 months.
  • Calcium hydroxylapatite (Radiesse). This filler is used to contour the jaw line, restore volume in the cheeks, and treat deeper wrinkles and skin folds. Calcium hydroxylapatite is a mineral found in bone. The results last up to a year when used for contouring and three years when used to fill wrinkles.
  • Fat grafting. With this method, fat is removed from your body using liposuction. It is then injected into the cheek, temple, lips or forehead. The effects may last one or two years.
  • Poly-L-lactic acid (Sculptra). This product is used to restore facial volume lost due to aging or illness. Poly-L-lactic acid, also called PLLA, is a manufactured substance that is slowly absorbed by the body. Two or three sessions are usually required. The effects last up to two years.
  • Permanent soft tissue filler (Bellafill). This filler is used to smooth deep wrinkles around the mouth. The body can't absorb this type of filler, so it is permanent. You won't need to be reinjected. Permanent soft tissue filler generally isn't recommended as a first-time facial filler treatment.

Facial fillers for wrinkles are safe in all skin colors. They carry very little risk for changes in skin color, also called postinflammatory pigmentation, or keloid scarring. Talk with your healthcare professional about the pros and cons of each type of facial filler.

Risks

As with any procedure, injecting facial filler for wrinkles has risks, including:

  • Swelling.
  • Pain.
  • Bleeding and bruising.
  • Itching.
  • Rash.
  • Infection.
  • Unexpected changes in the surface, contours and firmness of the skin.
  • Accidental injection of the filler into a blood vessel, which can cause stroke, death of tissue or blindness.
  • Allergic reaction.

To minimize these risks, seek care from a healthcare professional who understands anatomy, who has done this procedure many times with success and who knows how to treat emergency situations. FDA-approved dermal fillers are available by a prescription for injection by a licensed healthcare professional.

What you can expect

Before the facial filler is injected, you're given a numbing medicine. Or sometimes the filler is mixed with a numbing medicine to make the procedure more comfortable.

The procedure usually is done in an outpatient setting and takes up to an hour.

You may have mild discomfort, bruising and swelling for up to a week. After the swelling goes down, you might need a touch-up injection for best results. How long the effect lasts depends on your skin and the type of filler used. Repeat injections are needed to maintain results.

By Mayo Clinic Staff