Information about the procedure
Restoring volume and refining contours with hyaluronic acid — the result is immediate and reversible.
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What it involves
Hyaluronic acid fillers replace lost volume and shape contours. Hyaluronic acid is a substance found naturally in the body’s tissues, and the body breaks it down over time.
With age, the face does not just sag — it loses volume. The fat compartments shrink and bone is resorbed. Filler restores some of this volume and often gives a more natural result than tightening the skin.
The great advantage of hyaluronic acid is that it is reversible. If the result is unsatisfactory or a complication occurs, it can be dissolved with an enzyme.
Types and approaches
Lips
Hydration, subtle volume and contour definition. The aim is lips that look like your own, not as though something has been added.
Cheeks and midface
Restoring structural volume, which supports the entire midface.
Nasolabial folds and marionette lines
Softening deep folds, most often combined with treatment of the cheekbones.
Tear trough
Smoothing the hollow under the eye. Technically one of the most demanding areas, requiring experience and the right product.
Chin and jawline
Improving the profile and defining the jawline without surgery.
Non-surgical nose correction
Straightening the profile or camouflaging a small hump. A higher-risk area that requires particular care.
Biostimulators
Products such as Profhilo do not add volume but improve skin hydration and quality.
Who it is suitable for
Suitable for
- Volume loss in the cheeks and temples
- Deep nasolabial folds and marionette lines
- Thin lips or asymmetry
- Poorly defined jawline or a weak chin
- Wish for a result without downtime
- Preference for a reversible procedure
Not suitable, or postponed, in cases of
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Active infection, cold sores or inflammation in the area
- Autoimmune disease in an active phase
- Non-absorbable (permanent) filler previously injected in the same area
- Taking anticoagulants that have not been discussed beforehand
- Unrealistic expectations or a wish for excessive volume
Preparation
- Stopping blood thinners and supplements a few days before the procedure, as agreed with your doctor
- Avoiding alcohol for 24 hours beforehand
- Preventive antiviral treatment before lip treatment if you have frequent cold sores
- Scheduling the treatment at least two weeks before an important event
- Telling us about all previous facial procedures and products injected into the face
How it is performed
The procedure is performed as an outpatient treatment using an anaesthetic cream, and most fillers also contain a local anaesthetic. It takes 20–45 minutes.
A needle or a cannula is used, depending on the area. In certain areas, a cannula reduces the risk of vascular complications.
The result is visible immediately, but it is masked by swelling for the first few days.
Recovery
- The first few hoursSwelling, redness and sometimes small bruises. In the lips, swelling can be considerable and make them look overfilled.
- 24–48 hoursSwelling peaks, especially in the lips. Avoid saunas, sunbeds, strenuous exercise and massaging the area.
- 3–7 daysThe swelling subsides and any bruising fades. The actual result starts to show.
- 2 weeksThe product integrates into the tissue. Follow-up appointment, with a touch-up if needed.
- 6–18 monthsThe filler gradually breaks down, at a rate that depends on the area and the type of product.
Pain and discomfort
Discomfort is moderate and short-lived. The lips are the most sensitive area, so an anaesthetic cream is applied there. Most fillers contain lidocaine, which dulls sensation after the first needle prick. The cheeks and jaw are better tolerated.
Risks and complications
Every intervention carries risks. Listing them does not mean they are expected to occur — it allows you to make an informed decision.
- Swelling and bruising — expected, not a complication
- Asymmetry or unevenness, usually correctable
- Nodules or lumps under the skin
- Prolonged swelling, especially under the eyes
- Cold sore outbreak in those prone to them
- Inflammatory reaction or delayed-onset swelling — rare
- Vascular complication with compromised blood supply to the skin — rare but serious, and requires immediate treatment
- Very rarely: visual impairment after injection into high-risk areas
Results and longevity
How long the result lasts depends on the area and the product: lips usually 6–9 months, cheeks and jaw 12–18 months; the tear trough varies widely.
The result is broken down gradually rather than disappearing all at once.
Reversibility is a key advantage — if needed, the product can be dissolved with hyaluronidase.