What Are Dermal Fillers?
Dermal fillers are the gold standard for treating volume loss—one of the earliest signs of facial aging. Over time, we naturally lose collagen, elastin, bone, fat, and other supporting structures that give the face its youthful shape and support. As these changes occur, the skin can appear less firm, facial contours soften, and shadows or hollowing become more noticeable.
Today's injectable treatments have evolved significantly beyond simply replacing lost volume. At Dermetics, treatment selection goes far beyond choosing a single filler brand. We carefully assess your facial anatomy, skin quality, and long-term goals to determine the most appropriate treatment approach.
Depending on your needs, your personalized treatment plan may include:
- Hyaluronic Acid (HA) Fillers – Restore volume, define facial contours, and provide immediate results.
- Collagen-Stimulating Biostimulators – Encourage your body to gradually produce its own collagen for longer-term structural support.
- HArmonyCa® – Canada's first dual-action injectable, combining the immediate support of a hyaluronic acid filler with long-term collagen stimulation.
- Dermetics was among the first clinics in Canada to introduce HArmonyCa® following its national launch, with our physicians participating in the Canadian clinical trial and physician education surrounding this next-generation injectable.
Learn more about the differences between HA Fillers, Biostimulators, and HArmonyCa®.
At Dermetics, we use only well-established injectable products with proven safety profiles and a long history of delivering natural-looking results when expertly administered. Our physicians and cosmetic injectors personalize every treatment plan using products such as Juvederm®, Restylane®, HArmonyCa®, Sculptra®, Radiesse®, Teosyal®, Revanesse®, and Belotero®.
Many treatment plans are also combined with Botox® to achieve facial balance and natural-looking rejuvenation. Treatments are performed by Dr. Muhn and Dr. Rosen, or by our experienced cosmetic injectors working under the medical direction of our board-certified dermatologists. Common treatment areas include the lips, cheeks, under-eye region, jawline, chin, and the lines around the nose and mouth.
How Dermal Fillers Work
Dermal fillers treatments are a series of injections under the skin using a fine needle or cannula. Injection sites can be pre-treated with a topical anaesthetic to minimize any discomfort, and most fillers also contain lidocaine, making injections virtually painless.
Side effects can vary from patient to patient and may include mild swelling and occasionally bruising, both of which subside within a few days. Touch-ups are sometimes done after one or two weeks as results settle.
Before your treatment, Dr. Muhn or Dr. Rosen along with your cosmetic injector will carefully assess your facial anatomy to determine where volume is required. As dermatologists, Dr. Muhn and Dr. Rosen understand the complex underlying structures of the face and how it ages. All our cosmetic injectors are expertly trained by our dermatologists and use advanced techniques that safely restore and maintain your youthful contours without ever looking unnatural or overfilled.
The effects from dermal filler injections are immediate and impressive. Results can last between six and 18 months as the product is slowly broken down and absorbed by the body.
FAQs - Dermal Fillers
1. Are some brands of fillers better than others?
Each brand of filler has its own group of sub-brands of uniquely designed filler products. Over the years, we have continued to evolve the brands and lines that we carry, in order to be able to customize our filler selection to the uniqueness of the patient and desired results. In other words, we like to mix and match to meet our patients goals.
2. Will I be required to spend the same amount each year to maintain my filler treatment?
When we are using filler to replace structure in the face, we initially like to get to the 100% result. This is where everything is looking perfect and all the contours are flawless. If we are at that 100% result, typically after a year, we find that 30-35% of the effect is lost. So, we would simply top up with a smaller amount in order to maintain patients results at 65-100% effect. If maintaining treatments on a yearly basis, no, the patient would not need to spend the same amount.
3. How long does filler last?
For most patients, the filler will last years before it completely dissolves. Most of our patients aim to maintain their results by coming in periodically to top up. We typically see patients back for a top up on average once a year.
4. What factors affect filler longevity?
- Product type - The category can affect longevity: Hyaluronic acid vs. Radiesse vs. Sculptra. Some studies have additionally demonstrated an increased longevity of certain brands within the category of hyaluronic acid fillers.
- Placement - Filler placed superficially may not last as long, particularly when placed in high movement areas vs. filler placed deep on bone.
- Internal health and metabolism also will play a role in longevity.
- Volume is a huge determining factor to filler longevity. The quick math is that the more appropriate volume you use the longer that filler will last.
5. Is filler reversible if I don’t like the results?
Yes, we are able to reverse some types of filler. Hyaluronic Acid filler, which is the most popular type, is reversible with something called hyaluronidase. An enzyme that breaks down hyaluronic acid in our bodies.
6. If I am physically active, will my filler wear off faster?
The science is a bit gray in this area, but most professionals lean towards the opinion that individuals with a higher metabolism or who are into extreme fitness might see their fillers wear off faster.
7. Does Filler in the lips help with Hydration?
One of the benefits of using a hyaluronic acid filler is that it holds onto water. So, when injected superficially in the skin it could improve the hydration of the upper layers of the skin. Therefore improving the look and feel of the skin.
8. Is there downtime with filler?
Sometimes there is a bit of swelling as well as a chance of bruising (small bruises are common at injection sites but larger bruising is less common). We do ask patients receiving fillers not to participate in physical activity or put make-up on for 24 hours after treatment.
9. What are the risks with Filler? Minor and more serious?
Expected temporary risks of filler can be, redness at the injection site, temporary swelling and bruising. All of which will resolve on their own.
Serious risks of fillers, would be caused by injecting product into one of the many blood vessels in the face. This could potentially block the flow of blood to local areas of the skin, or to an organ like the brain or even the eye. In those circumstances the risk could be very serious causing a stroke, blindness or the breakdown of the skin like an ulcer that can form in the skin.
We use ultrasound as well as our extensive knowledge of anatomy, slow injection speed, and blunt tipped cannulas to mitigate these risks.
Post Care:
Download Dermetics Dermal Fillers post care instructions here.
