Hyaluronic acid is a substance the body already produces. As a filler it restores volume and defines contour, and because it is reversible it can be dissolved if needed.
See the usual range for every area →
Most hyaluronic acid fillers contain lidocaine, so the area numbs progressively as the product goes in.
What it treats
Structure before volume
Faces lose bone and deep fat before they lose surface volume, and the visible result is usually descent rather than deflation. Filling the place that looks empty often makes that worse, because weight is added to tissue that has lost its support.
Placement here follows the structure: what is holding the face up, where support has been lost, and what the tissue above it will do once it is restored. We wrote about the difference between structural and surface aging in more detail.
What a session is like
- Sensation
- A brief sting, then progressive numbing from the lidocaine.
- Session length
- 20 to 45 minutes depending on the areas.
- Onset
- Visible immediately, though swelling obscures it at first.
- Assessed at
- Day 14, once swelling has fully resolved.
- Duration
- 9 to 18 months depending on the area.
- Downtime
- Swelling for a few days, bruising possible for up to two weeks.
- Reversible
- Yes. Hyaluronic acid filler can be dissolved.
- Performed by
- Dr. Mundluru.
Numbing cream is standard for lips and temples, applied 20 to 30 minutes beforehand. Expect significant lip swelling immediately afterwards. It is not your result.
Before, during and after
This is the protocol we follow. Open any of these to read it before booking, or again the week of your appointment.
Common questions
How long does filler last?
Between nine and eighteen months depending on the area and the product. Lips generally metabolize faster than structural areas such as chin and jaw. Movement, metabolism and how much product was placed all affect it.
When will I see the real result?
Day fourteen. Filler is visible immediately, but swelling obscures it for the first week or two, and the product continues to integrate with the tissue. Lips settle and soften over two to four weeks, with the final result at four weeks. Assessing before then means judging swelling rather than filler.
Is filler reversible?
Hyaluronic acid filler is, which is one of the reasons it is used. It can be dissolved with an enzyme if the result is not what was wanted or if there is a complication.
Why do I need to avoid dental work?
Dental procedures can introduce bacteria into the bloodstream, which raises the risk of infection around recently placed filler. Leave two weeks either side, and schedule dental work well before or well after treatment.
Will it hurt?
Most hyaluronic acid fillers contain lidocaine, so the area numbs progressively as the product is placed. The first injection stings briefly and subsequent ones are more comfortable. Numbing cream is standard for lips and temples and applied 20 to 30 minutes beforehand.
What if I get a cold sore after lip filler?
Tell us before your appointment if you have any history of cold sores, and a preventive antiviral will be prescribed to take beforehand. If you feel tingling or an outbreak developing afterwards, contact us right away rather than waiting.
Can I have filler while pregnant?
No. Filler is not placed during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
This page is for general education and is not medical advice. It does not establish a physician-patient relationship, and it cannot account for your individual history, medications or skin. Suitability for treatment is decided at consultation following examination.