As we age, our faces naturally lose volume, leaving us with flattened cheeks, deeper creases and folds, and a loss of definition around the lips and jawline. Dermal fillers offer a subtle, non-surgical way to restore facial volume, smooth wrinkles, and soften your natural facial contours.
I’m Dr. Leela, Harvard Trained Plastic Surgeon, and I use dermal fillers to deliver elegant, natural-looking results tailored to your anatomy and aesthetic goals. Whether you’re looking to soften smile lines, add gentle fullness to your cheeks, or refine the shape of your lips, we’ll create a treatment plan that helps you look refreshed and feel your best.
Who Is a Candidate for Dermal Fillers?
You may be a good candidate for facial fillers if you:
- Have noticeable volume loss in the cheeks, lips, or under the eyes
- Want to smooth deep lines or folds, such as smile lines or marionette lines
- Are seeking subtle enhancement of facial features without surgery
- Are in good health and have realistic expectations
Dermal fillers can be used on their own or in combination with other treatments like BOTOX® Cosmetic. During your consultation, I’ll evaluate your facial anatomy and recommend the right product and placement strategy to achieve your goals.
Benefits of Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers offer a versatile and elegant way to restore volume, smooth lines, and refine facial contours — all with minimal downtime. Key benefits include:
- Adding volume to the cheeks, lips, temples, and area under the eyes
- Softening deep creases such as nasolabial folds and marionette lines
- Enhancing facial definition with subtle, sculpted contouring
- Offering instant results that can be tailored to your goals
- Refreshing your appearance without changing your natural expression
When placed thoughtfully, dermal fillers can enhance your features with remarkable precision. The result is a softer, more balanced look that feels fresh, natural, and entirely your own.
About the Procedure
I use the JUVÉDERM® family of fillers to subtly refresh facial volume, enhance contours, and restore a soft, natural balance to your features that feels elegant, effortless, and completely you. JUVÉDERM® is a hyaluronic acid-based filler, which means it closely mimics the naturally occurring substance that keeps our skin hydrated and supple. The JUVÉDERM® family includes a range of formulas that are each tailored for different needs and areas of the face.
Common treatment areas for dermal fillers include:
- Cheeks and Nose Area – to restore youthful volume and lift
- Nasolabial Folds – to soften smile lines that run from the nose to the corners of the mouth
- Marionette Lines – to smooth the creases below the corners of the mouth
- Lips – to enhance shape, structure, or fullness
- Chin and Jawline – to improve facial harmony and contour
- Under Eyes (Tear Troughs) – to minimize a hollow or tired appearance
Dermal fillers are administered by injection into the treatment area. Most treatments take 30 to 45 minutes and involve minimal discomfort. I use a gentle, precise approach to ensure smooth placement and balanced, natural results.
Recovery and Results
One of the benefits of JUVÉDERM® fillers is the immediate result. You’ll leave your appointment looking refreshed — no downtime or recovery needed. Results are visible immediately, and full effects settle within 1 to 2 weeks. Some mild swelling or bruising at the injection sites is normal after treatment and typically resolves within a few days. Most patients return to work or social activities the same day. Depending on the formula and area treated, results can last between 6 and 18 months.
I’ll provide personalized aftercare instructions and recommendations for maintenance so that your results continue to look soft, smooth, and natural over time.
Dermal Filler FAQs
How are fillers different from BOTOX® Cosmetic?
Dermal fillers and BOTOX® Cosmetic are both injectable treatments, but they work in different ways. BOTOX® Cosmetic relaxes the muscles that cause dynamic wrinkles — like frown lines or crow’s feet — to soften expression lines in the forehead, brow, and eye area. Fillers, on the other hand, restore volume loss in the face and are used to treat thinning or sunken areas like the cheeks, lips, jawline, or under the eyes, as well as to smooth out deeper folds. These two treatments often work beautifully together as part of a complete facial rejuvenation plan. I’ll help you decide which treatment — or combination — is right for your goals.
Will I look overfilled or unnatural?
No. My goal is always to enhance — not exaggerate. I use a light, layered approach and select the right type and amount of filler based on your facial structure to ensure that your results look refreshed and natural.
How do I know which filler I need?
You don’t have to know that before coming in — that’s my job! Each product in the JUVÉDERM® family is designed for a specific purpose, from soft, subtle lip enhancement to deeper structural support in the cheeks or jawline. During your consultation, I’ll assess your facial anatomy, skin quality, and goals to determine which JUVÉDERM® filler (or combination of fillers) is best suited for your needs. We’ll create a plan that feels right for you and delivers beautifully natural results.
What are the differences between the JUVÉDERM® fillers?
Each JUVÉDERM® filler is uniquely formulated for a specific purpose and area of the face:
JUVÉDERM® VOLUMA® XC: Designed to add lift and structure to the cheeks, midface, temples, and chin.
JUVÉDERM® VOLLURE® XC: Softens moderate to deep lines (such as nasolabial folds, smile lines, or marionette lines) while allowing natural movement.
JUVÉDERM® VOLBELLA® XC: Used for delicate areas like the lips, perioral lines, and under-eye hollows (tear troughs).
JUVÉDERM® ULTRA XC: Adds fullness to the lips with a hydrated, plump finish; also used for nasolabial folds.
JUVÉDERM® ULTRA PLUS XC: Effective for moderate to severe wrinkles and folds.
JUVÉDERM® VOLUX® XC: Used for deep injection to improve moderate to severe loss of definition in your jawline.
I’ll choose the right formula (or combination) based on your goals and the unique characteristics of your face, so you get the most natural, balanced outcome possible.
I’ll choose the right formula (or combination) based on your goals and the unique characteristics of your face, so you get the most natural, balanced outcome possible.
Do fillers hurt?
Most JUVÉDERM® fillers contain lidocaine to reduce discomfort during treatment. I use an ultra-fine needle and gentle technique to keep you comfortable throughout your session.
Is there downtime after JUVÉDERM® treatments?
There’s little to no downtime after JUVÉDERM® treatments. You may have mild swelling or bruising at the injection sites that resolves within a few days. Most people return to work or social activities right away.
How long do fillers last?
It depends on the product and the area treated. Lip fillers typically last 6 to 12 months, while cheek and jawline fillers can last up to 18 months before retreatment is recommended. We’ll talk about a maintenance schedule that works best for your goals.
Can fillers be combined with other treatments?
Yes. Many patients combine fillers with other non-surgical treatments like BOTOX® Cosmetic or skin rejuvenation to optimize the results. I’ll help you build a personalized treatment plan that fits your needs.