What are dermal fillers?
The dermal fillers used most widely today are hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers — a clear gel based on a substance that exists naturally in your skin. They are injected to fill deep lines, restore volume, or refine facial contours in specific spots. Results show immediately after injection, and the filler breaks down on its own over time.
Which areas can fillers treat?
- Under-eyes — softening deep-set darkness and under-eye grooves
- Nasolabial folds — filling the deep lines beside the nose that make a face look tired
- Chin — augmenting the chin to balance the face shape
- Lips — restoring fullness and adjusting shape
- Temples and forehead — filling hollow areas for a younger look
Each area calls for a filler of a different thickness, and matching the product to the location is precisely where the doctor's skill comes in.
How long do fillers last?
HA fillers generally last around 6–18 months, depending on the area injected, the thickness of the filler, the amount used, and each person's metabolism. High-movement areas like the lips tend to break down faster than still areas like the chin.
How do you know the filler is genuine?
Genuine filler must be approved by the Thai FDA. The box must be intact, with a lot number that can be traced, and a reputable clinic will always open a new box in front of you. Brands widely known in Thailand include Juvederm, Restylane and Belotero. A price that looks abnormally cheap is a major warning sign of counterfeit or split-vial filler.
The risks you must know before injecting
The most serious risk of filler injection is injecting into a blood vessel (vascular occlusion), which can cut off the blood supply to tissue and cause severe complications. This is why the injector must be a doctor with a genuine command of facial anatomy — not whoever offers the best price or promotion. Common side effects like swelling and bruising at the injection site usually resolve within a few days.
Can it be dissolved if you're not happy?
A key advantage of HA fillers is that they can be dissolved with the enzyme hyaluronidase. If the result isn't what you wanted or a problem develops, a doctor can dissolve the filler. Some other types of injectable cannot be dissolved at all — one more reason to confirm exactly what substance is being injected, every time.
How do fillers differ from biostimulators?
HA fillers focus on immediate volume. Biostimulators — the collagen-stimulating injectables — instead make the skin build its own collagen over the long term, and most of them cannot be dissolved. They answer different problems; read more on our Biostimulator page.
The bottom line
Filler is a fast-acting, adjustable treatment — but its safety depends on exactly two things: a genuine product and the doctor's hands. Don't let price be your first criterion.