What Should I Know Before My First Dermal Filler Treatment?

If you’ve never had dermal fillers, it’s natural to have questions about how everything works. You know you want to smooth out some wrinkles and restore some volume, but what should you do to prepare? Are there special aftercare instructions? How long will it last?

More than three million people in the United States get dermal fillers each year. At Frederick H. Watkins, MD, our team brings extensive experience to every filler treatment, and we’re here to answer your questions and deliver results you can feel confident about.

Here’s our advice on what to know before your first dermal filler treatment.

What are dermal fillers?

Dermal fillers are injectable treatments that smooth wrinkles, restore lost volume, and refine facial contours. 

Most fillers include hyaluronic acid, a substance your body produces naturally to keep your skin hydrated and elastic. Levels tend to drop as you age, which is one of the reasons you develop lines and wrinkles.

Common treatment areas include cheeks, smile lines and lines around the corners of your mouth, lips, jawline, and chin. Injectables we use include Juvéderm®, Radiesse®, Restylane®, and Perlane®.

How to prepare for treatment

Your treatment begins with a personalized consultation with Dr. Watkins where he gets to know your goals and what you hope to achieve. 

His goal is to preserve and enhance your natural features while avoiding an artificial appearance. During the consultation, he provides a customized plan for your situation.

To prepare, avoid blood-thinning medications and supplements, alcohol, and excessive sun exposure for a week before your treatment. Don’t wear any makeup to your appointment. Stay hydrated and eat a light meal before you come.

What to expect during treatment

Your actual filler appointment usually takes less than an hour and involves minimal discomfort. Dr. Watkins injects the fillers in the appropriate areas using very fine needles. He may gently massage or shape the filler to achieve the contour you’re looking for.

Many fillers have lidocaine to make the injections more comfortable. You might feel a quick pinch or slight pressure, but any discomfort is brief and minimal.

What to do after treatment

Fillers are a minimally invasive treatment, so you should be able to resume normal activities afterwards. 

You may have some temporary redness, swelling, or tenderness at your injection sites. This is normal and usually resolves within a few days. Avoid alcohol and intense workouts for a couple of days.

You should notice a difference in your appearance immediately, and you’ll see final results as any swelling subsides, usually within a couple of weeks. 

Depending on the type of filler you receive and where it’s placed, results can last anywhere from several months to a couple of years. You may need occasional maintenance appointments to maintain your results without starting from scratch every time.

Our team at Frederick H. Watkins, MD, has years of experience with dermal fillers. To schedule a consultation to determine what will work best for you, call our location nearest you today — Rockville, Maryland, or McLean, Virginia — or use our online scheduling tool anytime.