How Long Does It Take For Dermal Fillers to Settle?
Dermal fillers are instant, so you can see a visible result immediately after injection. It takes up to 4 weeks for the filler to fully integrate into the tissue and some fillers are more cohesive than others. The product is widely used to treat fine lines and wrinkles in the skin, smoothing them out and helping patients regain their confidence along with a brighter, more youthful appearance. They can also be used to plump and define lips and fill hollow areas on the face. Here are some of the areas where they work best:
- Lines from the nose to the mouth (nasolabial fold)
- Lines from the mouth to the chin (melomental fold / marionette lines)
- Above the upper lip
- Frown lines (best combined with Botox Cosmetic)
- Lips for volume and definition (lip fillers)
- Restoring volume to cheekbones or cheeks
- Under the eyes
- To fill out the backs of the hands and make veins look less prominent
Restylane (Galderma) and Juvederm (Allergan) are sterile gels consisting of hyaluronic acid (HA) and are made in a laboratory. HA is a natural sugar found in skin. These hyaluronic acid fillers are FDA approved. Juvederm causes less puffiness for the first few days after a treatment.
Dermal filler treatments such as Juvederm often take a bit to set after the initial injection. This allows small corrections to be made to the results before the product sets into a more stable, long-lasting form. Since Juvederm is composed of a naturally malleable gel, it can be easily massaged and shaped for a short while after injection to help achieve the best possible results. When Juvederm is first injected, the gel spreads through the skin, smoothing out folds and wrinkles as it goes. This is what produces the near-instantaneous results which patients observe. After this instant result, the filler integrates into the dermal tissue where it binds with water molecules in the skin to help maintain the new shape. While the initial results of the injection will be immediately visible, Juvederm can take a few days to settle into its final position, especially in the lips.
It is best to have numbing cream applied to your face before the cosmetic injections so that the cosmetic injections are more comfortable, especially for first time patients. There is little to no downtime involved with injectables but bruising is always possible especially on sensitive areas around the mouth and eyes. A vitamin called Arnica which comes in a pill or topical gel has been known to help with side effects such as bruising. It is advised to make sure to stop any blood thinning medication such as Vitamin E and Ibuprofen as these may cause an increased risk of bleeding or bruising at the injection sites.
Contact us online today or call 212-535-3088 if you’re ready to learn more about what dermal fillers can do for you. Dr. Michele S. Green, a board certified NYC dermatologist, practices the latest techniques at the forefront of skin care to give you the look that you deserve.