Dermal Fillers in NYC

What are dermal fillers?

Most fillers used in Manhattan today are hyaluronic acid gels. Hyaluronic acid is a sugar your skin already makes to hold water, and filler versions are shaped into gels of different thickness. Softer gels smooth fine lines and plump lips. Firmer gels lift cheeks, project the chin and sharpen the jawline.

Because hyaluronic acid filler can be dissolved with an enzyme called hyaluronidase, it is the most forgiving option for first timers.

Where filler is used

• Lips, for shape, hydration and volume
• Cheeks and midface, for lift and contour
• Chin, for projection and balance
• Jawline, for definition
• Under eyes (tear troughs), for hollows
• Temples, for lost volume
• Smile lines (nasolabial folds) and marionette lines
• Nose, for a non surgical bump smoothing
• Hands, for volume and smoother skin

The brands you will hear

• Juvederm: a family of fillers from soft (Volbella for lips) to firm (Voluma for cheeks, Volux for jawline).
• Restylane: a wide range, including Kysse for lips and Lyft for cheeks and hands.
• RHA Collection: designed to move with facial expressions, popular for natural looking results around the mouth.
• Sculptra and Radiesse: biostimulators that build your own collagen gradually. They work differently, see our Sculptra guide.

What the appointment is like

• Consultation: your injector studies your face at rest and in motion and plans how many syringes go where.
• Numbing: most fillers contain lidocaine, and many practices add a numbing cream.
• Treatment: 30 to 45 minutes with a needle, a blunt cannula or both.
• After: some swelling or bruising for a few days, longer for lips and under eyes. Avoid heat, alcohol and hard workouts for 24 hours. The result settles in about two weeks.

How long it lasts

Lips usually last 6 to 12 months. Cheeks, chin and jawline often last 12 to 18 months or longer with firmer gels. Under eye filler can last a year or more because the area moves less. Most people keep results with a small top up every 9 to 12 months rather than a full redo.

Safety

Filler is safe in experienced hands, but it is a medical procedure. The rare serious risk is filler blocking a blood vessel, which needs immediate treatment with hyaluronidase. Choose an injector with deep facial anatomy training who keeps hyaluronidase on hand and gives you a way to reach them after hours.

How to choose an injector

Look at before and after photos of faces like yours, ask how many syringes they recommend and why, and be wary of anyone who suggests a lot of product on a first visit. Prices in Manhattan are usually quoted per syringe, so ask whether a half syringe is an option.