What Are Dermal Fillers? Procedure, Duration and Possible Risks

Created: 20.05.2024 · Last Updated: 18.08.2026 · Category: Medical Aesthetics · Prepared by the Academic Hospital Web and Editorial Board.

What Are Dermal Fillers?

Dermal fillers are injectable medical products used to restore volume in selected facial areas, shape facial contours, soften the appearance of certain lines and folds, or add volume to areas such as the lips.

Hyaluronic acid is one of the most commonly used filler materials. Other materials include calcium hydroxylapatite and poly-L-lactic acid.

Each product has specific characteristics, treatment areas, injection depths, expected duration and safety considerations.

What Types of Dermal Fillers Are Available?

  • Hyaluronic acid fillers: Temporary, absorbable fillers used for a variety of product-specific facial indications.
  • Calcium hydroxylapatite: A denser filler material used for selected volume and contouring indications.
  • Poly-L-lactic acid: A biostimulatory material intended to stimulate collagen production over time.

Are Dermal Fillers Suitable for Everyone?

No. Dermal filler treatment requires medical assessment.

Particular caution may be required in people with active skin infection or inflammation, severe allergy or anaphylaxis history, bleeding disorders, allergies to product ingredients or medical conditions that could affect treatment safety.

Is There an Age Limit for Dermal Fillers?

Age indications depend on the individual product, treatment area and applicable regulatory approval.

Many FDA-approved aesthetic dermal filler indications are for adults aged 22 years or older, and the FDA states that filler safety is unknown in patients younger than 22.

Product-specific approval and individual medical assessment should therefore be considered rather than applying a universal age threshold to all fillers.

How Are Dermal Fillers Injected?

The facial anatomy and treatment area are assessed first. The appropriate filler product and amount are then selected.

After cleansing the skin, topical or local anaesthesia may be used when appropriate. The filler is injected into the appropriate tissue plane with a needle or cannula depending on the product, anatomical area and treatment plan.

How Long Does the Procedure Take?

Procedure time depends on the number of areas treated and the complexity of treatment.

A straightforward treatment of a single area may take approximately 15–30 minutes, while more extensive facial treatment may take longer.

How Long Do Dermal Fillers Last?

There is no single duration that applies to every filler.

Longevity depends on the filler material, product characteristics, treatment area, amount injected and individual factors.

Many hyaluronic acid fillers remain effective for a number of months, while some products and treatment areas can provide effects lasting a year or longer. Other filler materials have different expected durations.

What Are the Side Effects of Dermal Fillers?

Common temporary injection-site reactions include:

  • Redness
  • Swelling
  • Tenderness or pain
  • Bruising
  • Itching
  • Temporary firmness or small irregularities

Less commonly, infection, inflammatory reactions, nodules, asymmetry or skin colour changes may occur.

A rare but potentially serious complication is inadvertent interference with blood flow.

What Is Vascular Occlusion?

Vascular occlusion occurs when filler material blocks blood flow in a blood vessel.

Although uncommon, this can cause skin injury and tissue necrosis. If circulation to the eye or brain is affected, vision loss or, very rarely, stroke can occur.

Unusual severe pain, whitening or mottled discolouration of the skin, sudden blurred vision, loss of vision or new neurological symptoms during or after filler treatment require immediate medical assessment.

Can Dermal Fillers Be Dissolved?

Hyaluronic acid fillers can be broken down with an enzyme called hyaluronidase when medically appropriate.

This may be used to manage excessive volume, asymmetry, unwanted placement or certain complications.

However, not every filler can be dissolved. Calcium hydroxylapatite, poly-L-lactic acid and several other filler materials are not dissolved by hyaluronidase.

Are Dermal Fillers Safe During Pregnancy or Breastfeeding?

The safety of dermal fillers during pregnancy and breastfeeding has not been adequately established in controlled clinical studies.

For this reason, elective aesthetic filler treatment is generally postponed during pregnancy and usually during breastfeeding.

What Should You Expect After Treatment?

Temporary swelling, tenderness or bruising may occur after injection.

Patients should follow the individual aftercare instructions provided by their healthcare professional and should not unnecessarily massage or manipulate the treatment area unless specifically advised.

Which Symptoms Require Urgent Assessment?

  • Severe or rapidly increasing pain
  • Marked whitening or mottled discolouration of the skin
  • Sudden blurred vision or loss of vision
  • Severe eye pain
  • Sudden weakness or speech difficulty
  • Rapidly increasing swelling or signs of a severe allergic reaction
  • Progressive signs of infection

Anatomical Assessment Matters Before Dermal Filler Treatment

The filler material, amount and treatment area should be selected according to individual facial anatomy and treatment goals, while considering possible risks and complications.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are dermal fillers?
Dermal fillers are injectable medical products used to restore volume in selected facial areas, shape facial contours, soften the appearance of certain lines and folds, or add volume to areas such as the lips.
Are dermal fillers suitable for everyone?
No. Treatment may be inappropriate or need to be postponed in people with active infection or inflammation, severe allergy history, bleeding disorders or allergies to ingredients in the filler product.
How long do dermal fillers last?
The duration of dermal fillers varies according to the product, treatment area, amount injected and individual factors. There is no single duration that applies to every filler.
Can hyaluronic acid fillers be dissolved?
Hyaluronic acid fillers can be broken down with the enzyme hyaluronidase when medically appropriate. Not every type of dermal filler can be dissolved with hyaluronidase, and the procedure itself also carries potential risks.
Can dermal fillers cause vision loss?
Very rarely, filler material can enter or block a blood vessel and cause serious impairment of blood flow, tissue injury or vision loss. Any sudden visual change after filler injection requires immediate medical assessment.
Are dermal fillers safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding?
The safety of dermal fillers during pregnancy and breastfeeding has not been adequately established in controlled clinical studies. Elective aesthetic filler treatments are therefore generally postponed during these periods.
Which symptoms are important after dermal filler treatment?
Severe or rapidly increasing pain, marked whitening or mottled discolouration of the skin, sudden visual changes, weakness, speech difficulty or signs of a severe allergic reaction require urgent medical assessment.
Academic Hospital note: Dermal filler injection is a medical procedure. Knowledge of facial anatomy and vascular structures is an important part of treatment safety. Filler type and volume should be selected according to individual anatomy and the area being treated. You can book an appointment.

References

  1. Academic Hospital. Dermal Filler Application
  2. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Dermal Fillers (Soft Tissue Fillers)
  3. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA-Approved Dermal Fillers
  4. American Academy of Dermatology. Fillers: FAQs