Hyaluronic acid fillers: what you need to know 

Volume and hydration are essential to younger-looking skin. With age, skin elasticity decreases, and fine lines and wrinkles slowly appear around our eyes, mouth, and forehead. 

Hyaluronic acid fillers are a popular way to combat signs of aging by adding volume, structure, and plumpness to facial features. If you’re looking to add dermal fillers into your skincare routine, here are the benefits and risks.

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Hyaluronic acid (HA) is naturally produced in the fluid of our eyes, skin, and joints. One of its roles is retaining moisture to keep skin hydrated and healthy. HA can attract and bind water up to 1,000 times its volume (Brandt, 2008). 

HA fillers have a gel-like consistency and are a popular cosmetic treatment for fine lines, wrinkles, and plumping up the skin. These dermal fillers are FDA-approved for the following uses in adults over age 21 (Walker, 2021; FDA, 2021):

• Moderate to severe facial wrinkles and skin folds

• Tissue augmentation (increasing volume of lips, cheeks, chin, and back of hands)

Hyaluronic acid is vital to maintaining healthy skin, which is why HA injectable fillers are useful for rejuvenating skin and reducing signs of aging. Here are some of the main benefits of HA fillers (Walker, 2021; Bukhari, 2018):

• Skin and lip augmentation 

• Stimulates collagen production

• Improves skin hydration

• Immediate and long-lasting results (up to a year)

• Reduces signs of aging (creases, smile lines, and wrinkles)

Hyaluronic filler injections are a relatively non-invasive cosmetic procedure administered by a licensed healthcare professional. The filler material is injected under the skin at varying depths, depending on the areas you are treating (Walker, 2021). 

The procedure takes around 10–60 minutes, depending on how many areas of the face are being treated. An anesthetic like lidocaine will often be applied before the procedure to reduce pain.

Results are immediate, though it can take two weeks for the gel to settle and fully take effect. Injections can last up to a year, and it’s recommended to get another once signs of aging reappear (AAD, n.d.). 

Common brands of hyaluronic acid dermal fillers include (ABFCS, 2021):

• Juvederm 

• Restylane 

• Belotero 

• Revanessa 

Dermal fillers are highly effective and safe, but there are complications and side effects to be aware of. Over 90% of side effects from HA fillers come from the injection itself. These are typically mild and include (Murthy, 2019):

• Redness

• Swelling

• Bruising 

• Rash

• Injection site pain

To avoid complications, medical professionals may recommend stopping blood thinners and any supplements you take a week before treatment to prevent bruising and unwanted bleeding (King, 2017). 

Severe reactions following HA treatment are rare, but include (Murthy, 2019):

• Allergic reaction 

• Secondary infection at the injection site 

• Reactivation of the herpes simplex virus

• Lumps that appear years after treatment

• Skin necrosis (death of body tissue) from inadvertently injecting into an artery or vein

• Vascular occlusion (blood flow blockage)

• Vision loss (if blood flow to eye is blocked)

Because of the risk of complications, a licensed and trained dermatologist, plastic surgeon, or healthcare professional must administer dermal fillings in a clean, sterile environment. 

After treatment, the goal is to minimize bruising and allow the product to successfully settle in the skin. To reap all its benefits, here are some self-care tips after getting dermal fillers (ASPS, n.d.; AAD, n.d.):

• Avoid strenuous activity for the first 24–48 hours.

• Drink lots of water.

• Apply ice to your face throughout the day.

• Stay out of the sun.

• Avoid touching the treated area for three days, unless instructed to do so.

Contact your healthcare provider right away if you experience severe pain, decreased vision, muscle weakness, or signs of infection following treatment. Hyaluronic acid fillers are a safe and effective option to rejuvenate and hydrate skin, maximize volume, and reduce signs of aging. Talk with a licensed and trained healthcare provider to see if dermal fillers are right for you. 

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How we reviewed this article

Every article on Health Guide goes through rigorous fact-checking by our team of medical reviewers. Our reviewers are trained medical professionals who ensure each article contains the most up-to-date information, and that medical details have been correctly interpreted by the writer.

Current version

June 23, 2022

Written by

Amy Isler

Fact checked by

Chimene Richa, MD

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About the medical reviewer

Chimene Richa, MD

Dr. Richa is a board-certified Ophthalmologist and medical writer for Ro.