Dermal fillers are a versatile, non-surgical option for patients who want to address changes in facial volume or refine specific features. These injectable treatments can be used everywhere from the lips to the cheeks, and there is a range of different products that providers choose to treat different concerns.
At South Jersey Aesthetics, we often speak with patients in Cape May Court House, NJ, who are interested in understanding how these dermal fillers work and what they can realistically do. We offer different types of fillers, from those that provide instant volume to those that stimulate natural body processes, and we can talk through how each can be used to enhance your natural features and restore volume after aging, weight loss and more.
What Are Dermal Fillers and What Are They Known For?
Dermal fillers are injectable gel-based treatments that add structure beneath the skin. Fillers are often known for their use as lip filler to increase the size of the lips or adjust shape and symmetry. They are also frequently used to address lines and wrinkles around the mouth. Once injected, fillers stay in place for several months, continuing to add structure to the treated areas.
Additional Uses of Dermal Fillers
Age-Related Volume Loss
Facial volume naturally changes with age, which can leave certain areas looking flatter or less supported. Dermal fillers can be placed in different areas to help replenish volume, while still allowing for all of your natural facial expressions. Even a small amount of filler can restore balance to the face, and subtle volume support can make facial features look more youthful without altering your overall look.
Cheek and Jawline Contouring
Some fillers have a more robust texture that can be used to enhance the cheeks’ structure or define a weak chin and jawline. When your natural facial contours are less pronounced, but you are not interested in surgery, fillers can be a good alternative. Cheek filler can lift the midface slightly, while jawline filler can create the appearance of a chiselled jawline.
Treating Under-Eye Hollows
Hollowing beneath the eyes can create shadows that make the area look more tired or sunken. Under-eye filler is an option that smoothes the transition between the lower eyelid and upper cheek. Careful placement is required due to the thin skin in this area.
Restoring Acne-Scarred Areas
Acne scars from severe forms of acne, like cysts, often create deep depressions in the skin that are difficult to treat. Certain dermal fillers can be placed beneath these areas to raise the surface and correct unevenness. Treatment works best for rolling or boxcar-type scars rather than raised scars. Results can vary depending on scar depth and skin quality.
Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty
Dermal fillers can sometimes be used to improve the appearance of the nose without surgery. Strategic placement may help smooth small bumps or improve symmetry along the bridge. Fillers do not make the nose smaller, but they can create the illusion of a smaller nose by reshaping certain areas.
Main Types of Dermal Fillers
Hyaluronic Acid Fillers
Hyaluronic acid, often referred to as HA, is a substance that occurs naturally in the body and helps retain moisture while supporting skin structure. In aesthetic treatments, HA is formulated into a smooth gel that can be placed beneath the skin to add volume, improve contour or soften visible lines. HA fillers are temporary and gradually broken down by the body, which allows for adjustments based on your goals. Because hyaluronic acid attracts water, these fillers can create a soft, natural-looking result while contributing to a hydrated appearance.
Benefits of HA Fillers
HA fillers are well known for their flexibility and adaptability for different areas of the face. The gel consistency can be precisely placed and is suitable for everything from deep folds to areas lacking volume and support. Another advantage is the reversibility of these products, since HA can be dissolved if adjustments are desired.
Examples of HA Fillers
- JUVÉDERM® Collection: The JUVÉDERM Collection includes several formulations, including VOLUMA® and VOLUX®, that are perfect for contouring the cheeks or jawline. It also includes softer products for areas like the lips or under the eyes.
- RHA® Collection: The RHA Collection has a unique manufacturing process that creates products that move naturally with facial expressions, and is often used in high-movement areas.
- Revanesse Versa™+: Revanesse Versa™+ is known for its smooth consistency and lower risk of swelling, and gives areas that lack volume a refined finish.
- Restylane® Collection: The Restylane Collection uses different gel technologies that create varying firmness and flexibility. These fillers provide either subtle movement or more structural support, depending on the product chosen.
Biostimulatory Fillers
Some fillers work differently from traditional hyaluronic acid options because they focus on encouraging the body’s own collagen production rather than just adding volume. These cosmetic fillers have longer-term aims, and results develop gradually as collagen support increases within the treated area. Radiesse is a well-known biostimulatory filler that contains calcium-based microspheres that are suspended in a type of gel carrier that provides immediate support while the microspheres stimulate collagen.
Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA) Fillers
Polymethyl methacrylate, or PMMA, fillers provide some of the longest-lasting structural support. Bellafill is the most widely recognized PMMA filler and is distinct from other filler types because it is considered semi-permanent, with results that can last for several years rather than months. PMMA fillers are typically used for specific concerns, such as deeper facial lines or acne scars.
How Dermal Fillers Restore Volume
- Replacing fat and structural support lost with aging
- Lifting and repositioning facial tissues
- Improving transitions between facial features
- Enhancing skin hydration and elasticity (HA fillers)
- Stimulating collagen for ongoing improvement (biostimulatory and PMMA fillers)
How Fillers Enhance Natural Facial Features
- Enhancing (Not Changing) Facial Structure: Dermal fillers are used with the goal of supporting existing facial structure. A well-planned filler approach focuses on subtle adjustments that work with your facial framework instead of drawing attention to the treatment itself.
- Dynamic Movement and Natural Expression: Facial movement is an important consideration when placing fillers in expressive areas. The face should still move comfortably during everyday expressions such as smiling or speaking.
- Customization Based on Facial Anatomy: Every face has unique contours, bone structure, and soft tissue distribution. Filler placement and product selection are adjusted based on these anatomical differences.
Schedule a Dermal Filler Consultation in Cape May Court House, NJ
Dermal fillers are a versatile way to address volume loss, contour concerns and specific facial features without surgery, with options that differ in composition, longevity and behavior within the skin. At South Jersey Aesthetics, treatment decisions are informed by our extensive clinical experience in aesthetic medicine and a detailed understanding of facial anatomy developed over decades of hands-on practice. We serve Cape May Court House and Gibbsboro, NJ, and our treatments are overseen by Dr. Dan Frances, who is well-known in the field of aesthetic medicine.
If you would like to learn more about dermal fillers or discuss whether they may be right for you, reach out using our online form, or call 609-846-5115 to schedule a consultation.
