Dermal fillers in Cutler Bay

Fillers replace volume; Botox relaxes muscle

These two treatments are frequently confused, and they solve different problems. Botox softens lines caused by muscle movement. Dermal fillers add structure and volume back to areas where fat pads have shrunk and bone has receded — which is what actually drives most of the change people notice in their face after forty.

The fillers we use are made of hyaluronic acid, a sugar molecule your body already produces to hold water in the skin. That matters for two reasons: it integrates naturally with your own tissue, and it can be reversed. If you dislike a result or a small amount migrates, an enzyme called hyaluronidase dissolves it within a day or two. Permanent fillers offer no such option.

Areas we treat

• Cheeks and midface — replacing lost volume that causes the face to look flat or tired
• Nasolabial folds — the lines running from the nose to the corners of the mouth
• Marionette lines — the folds running down from the corners of the mouth
• Lips — hydration and subtle definition, or more noticeable volume, depending on what you want
• Tear troughs — under-eye hollows that create a permanently tired appearance
• Jawline and chin — definition and profile balance

What to expect

We begin with an assessment of your face as a whole rather than the single feature that brought you in. Very often the area a patient wants filled is not where the volume was actually lost — under-eye hollowing, for example, is frequently a midface problem, and filling the cheek addresses it better than filling directly beneath the eye.

Most fillers contain lidocaine, and we apply topical numbing first, so the procedure is comfortable. Treatment takes roughly thirty minutes depending on how many areas are addressed. You will see a difference immediately, though the final result settles over about two weeks as swelling resolves and the product integrates.

Downtime and aftercare

Mild swelling and the possibility of bruising are normal, particularly around the lips and under the eyes. Most patients feel comfortable in public within one to two days, though we suggest not scheduling filler within two weeks of a wedding, photo shoot or important event.

For the first 24 to 48 hours, avoid strenuous exercise, alcohol, saunas and extended sun exposure. Sleep on your back if you have had lip or under-eye treatment. Do not massage the area unless we specifically instruct you to.

How long results last

It depends on the product used, the area treated and your metabolism. As a general guide, lip filler tends to last six to twelve months, while filler placed in the cheeks and jawline — areas with less movement — often lasts twelve to eighteen months or longer. Fillers break down gradually, so the change as they fade is subtle rather than abrupt.

Who should not have filler

Filler is not appropriate during pregnancy or breastfeeding, if you have an active skin infection in the treatment area, or if you have a known allergy to hyaluronic acid or lidocaine. Certain autoimmune conditions and blood thinners require discussion beforehand. We review your full medical history at your consultation — a benefit of being treated in a clinic that also provides primary care.