What Is Dermal Filler?

What does dermal filler do?

Dermal filler is an injectable treatment to add volume to facial areas such as under the eyes, cheeks, lips, chin, nasolabial folds, and marionette lines. 

You’ve likely heard of lip fillers, but did you know dermal fillers can also mimic bone structure in areas like the jaw, chin, and cheekbones? 

As we age, muscles, bones, and skin seem to deflate, and dermal (or facial fillers) work much like a “fix-a-flat,” in a sense, to restore some of that lost volume.

And no, fillers are not made out of whatever “fix-a-flat” is made of–in fact, the main ingredient in the most popular fillers is naturally occurring in the body. 

Some brands of calcium hydroxylapatite filler can even help promote collagen production in the treatment area to not only add volume but also help reduce the visibility and formation of fine lines and wrinkles.

But candidates for dermal fillers include more than just those of us who are looking for anti-aging treatments. Young people are turning towards dermal fillers to add volume to their lips and create more facial shape and contour. 

Not sure what areas you’re interested in or how much you need? Your licensed injector (always ensure your injector is licensed!) can guide you through a treatment plan based on your aesthetic goals and areas of concern. 

You can learn more about how to choose an injector with the full dermal filler video series in the free Bustmob Academy app. 

How far does 1 ml of dermal filler go?

On average, you can expect 1 ml of dermal filler per treatment area. You can compare 1 ml of filler to about the volume of a blueberry but don’t get too caught up on a number.

Your licensed providers inject filler all day every day and it’s important to lean into their expertise. 

Before your treatment, you’ll have a consultation to discuss what areas and the amount of filler needed in those areas to achieve your aesthetic goal. 

Remember that if you want to add significant volume, you’ll likely need more than one treatment. Adding too much filler at one time can cause complications and affect your results. 

It can be really helpful to have a goal photo to ensure you and your injector are on the same page for your treatment plan. The licensed injectors of Amelia Aesthetics have plenty of filler before and after photos (just like the one below) so you can get a sense of the looks you love. 

What is dermal filler made of?

There are tons of brands of dermal fillers and they are all made of slightly different things. Three common types of dermal fillers are:

• calcium hydroxylapatite filler
• poly-l-lactic acid filler
• hyaluronic acid filler

At Amelia Aesthetics, the licensed injectors and their patients tend to love the look and feel of hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is naturally occurring in the body and gives the treatment area a little extra moisture, as well as a natural, yet full appearance. 

But the brand or type of filler you have will depend on your goals, your injector, and your anatomy. 

Speaking of wrinkles, what’s the difference between Botox and filler? 

If you’re confused about the difference between Botox and filler, you are not alone. We hear members asking about this all the time in the Bustmob Skincare Group.

Though they are both injectable treatments, filler and wrinkle relaxers (aka Botox) work in very different ways. 

Botox is a brand of wrinkle relaxer that works the way all wrinkle relaxers work, which is by freezing or relaxing the muscle to smooth the skin and limit the facial expressions that cause wrinkles. Wrinkle relaxers are typically used from the nose up–think around the eyes and forehead. 

Dermal fillers, on the other hand, add volume or mimic the bone structure and are typically used from the eyes down.

Because the two serve different purposes, it’s not uncommon for a full treatment plan to include both fillers and wrinkle relaxers. 

You can learn more about the magic of Botox, Xeomin, and Dysport (to name a few), along with common misconceptions, costs, and more with the full Wrinkle Relaxer series in the free Bustmob Academy app.  

Found this helpful, but want more? 

Good news! This is just one part of the dermal filler series in the free Bustmob Academy app video collection created just for you to simplify your skincare research.

From commonly told myths and FAQs, to recovery time and costs, Bustmob Jenny and Gretta from Amelia break down your skincare and Medspa treatment research into bite-size, binge-able pieces.

Schedule a consultation to get personalized advice for your skin or hop in the free Bustmob Skincare Group to get tips, advice, and expertise on everything from eye creams to Botox.