What Are Dermal Fillers?

Dermal fillers add volume beneath the skin to smooth wrinkles, sharpen facial contours, and restore fullness that has been lost due to age or weight loss. These gel-like substances can be used in different areas of the face, from the cheeks and jawline to the lips and nasolabial folds. The type of filler used depends on the specific concerns being addressed, with some offering subtle hydration and others providing more structural support. We select volumizing fillers based on what you would like to enhance with a focus on natural-looking and well-balanced results.

How Volumizing Fillers Work

As the skin loses collagen and fat over time, it can lead to hollow areas, sagging, and deeper wrinkles. Volumizing fillers replenish lost volume by lifting and supporting the skin from within. Some fillers integrate with surrounding tissues and attract water while others stimulate natural collagen production. Depending on the type of filler, results can last several months to several years, but each offers a temporary solution for volume loss.

What Can Volumizing Fillers Treat? 

• Cheeks: Over time, the natural fat pads in the cheeks begin to thin, leading to a sunken or hollow look. Adding dermal filler treatments to this area lifts and restores youthful volume, creating more definition and balance in facial contours.
• Nasolabial Folds and Marionette Lines: Deep folds around the mouth can develop as the skin loses elasticity and facial volume shifts downward. By filling these creases, volumizing fillers soften their appearance, making the lower face look smoother and more refreshed.
• Jawline and Chin: A well-defined jawline and chin can provide structure to the face, but bone loss and soft tissue changes can make these features less prominent over time. Fillers enhance definition, creating a sharper or more sculpted look while maintaining a natural appearance.
• Lips: The lips tend to lose fullness and hydration with age, leading to a thinner or less defined shape. Whether the goal is a subtle enhancement or more noticeable plumpness, dermal filler treatments restore volume and smooth fine lines around the mouth.
• Temples: Hollowing in the temples is a less commonly discussed sign of aging, yet it can make the face appear gaunt. Adding volume to this area helps balance facial proportions and supports the natural contours of the upper face.
• Hands: Volume loss in the hands can lead to more prominent veins and tendons, making them appear older. Volumizing fillers restore smoothness and fullness, giving the hands a softer and more youthful look.

Why Choose Volumizing Fillers?

Immediate Results

Changes in facial volume are visible right after treatment. While some minor swelling may occur, the final results can be seen within a few days. Fillers can be a good option for patients who want to see improvements right away or who are looking for a treatment that can boost their appearance a week or two before an event.

No Surgery or Downtime

Non-surgical volumizing treatments offer results without the recovery time of surgery. The process takes under an hour, and most patients return to work or other activities the same day. There’s no need for incisions, stitches, or extended healing periods, and any mild swelling or bruising fades within a few days.

Long-Lasting Results

The longevity of volumizing fillers depends on the type of filler used and how quickly the body metabolizes it. However, patients can go several months in between appointments. Touch-up injections can maintain the results of the treatment.

Improved Skin Texture

Beyond adding volume, certain fillers improve skin hydration and elasticity by attracting moisture to the treated areas. Hyaluronic acid-based fillers help the skin retain water and can give it a smoother, firmer appearance. Fillers that stimulate collagen production can also improve the skin’s texture and make the skin more resilient. 

Customizable and Adjustable Results

Fillers can cater to different aesthetic tastes. Some patients may wish to have more noticeable and dramatic results while others may want subtle outcomes. We can adjust our injections based on the conversations we have during your consultation.

Types of Volumizing Dermal Fillers

JUVÉDERM®

One of the best fillers for volume, JUVÉDERM is a hyaluronic acid-based filler that integrates smoothly into the skin, adding hydration and volume. It comes in different formulations, each approved for specific areas of the face. Thicker versions like JUVÉDERM VOLUMA help lift and contour the cheeks, while softer formulations like JUVÉDERM ULTRA enhance the lips and smooth out fine lines. Because hyaluronic acid naturally attracts moisture, JUVÉDERM can improve the hydration of the skin, especially in areas like the lips. 

Belotero Balance®

This filler is ideal for addressing delicate areas where subtle volume is needed. While thicker fillers add structure, Belotero Balance blends seamlessly into fine lines and superficial wrinkles and is perfect for smoothing etched-in lines around the mouth and under the eyes. Its lightweight formulation allows for natural movement.

Restylane®

Recognized as one of the best dermal fillers for volume restoration, Restylane offers a range of options that target volume loss in different areas of the face. Restylane Lyft provides structural support for the cheeks, while Restylane Silk enhances the lips with a smooth, natural-looking volume. The flexibility of this filler line makes it a reliable option for patients who want balanced, long-lasting volume while maintaining an authentic appearance.

Radiesse®

As one of the most effective volumizing fillers, Radiesse works by both immediately restoring lost volume and stimulating the body’s natural collagen production. Its calcium-based microspheres provide structural support and it can be used to define the jawline and restore fullness in areas like the cheeks and hands. Over time, Radiesse encourages collagen growth, leading to longer-lasting improvements even after the filler itself is metabolized.

Sculptra®

Classified as one of the best anti-aging fillers, Sculptra works differently from traditional fillers by stimulating collagen production instead of simply adding volume. Made from poly-L-lactic acid, it gradually restores fullness over time and is ideal for those who prefer a slow, natural progression rather than immediate results. Sculptra is commonly used to treat deeper facial hollows, temple volume loss, and general facial thinning, with results improving over several months and multiple treatments as new collagen forms.

What Are Dermal Filler Treatments Like?

A typical dermal filler treatment begins with a consultation to determine the best approach based on facial structure and volume loss. Before the injections, a numbing agent may be applied to enhance comfort. The filler is then carefully placed using a fine needle or cannula, with the depth and placement customized to the treatment area. You will receive several injections in the treatment area to promote even application. Most appointments take under an hour, and patients can see immediate volume enhancement.

Recovery and Aftercare for Volumizing Fillers

There is little to no downtime after volumizing fillers, but some swelling, redness, or mild bruising may occur around the injection sites. For the first day, skip intense workouts, avoid saunas, hot tubs, or hot showers, stay out of the sun, and avoid alcohol.  If you want to maintain your results beyond the expected longevity of the filler you choose, regular follow-up treatments can be scheduled as recommended by your injector. 

Swelling After Volumizing Fillers: What to Expect

Normal Swelling Timeline

It’s common for the treatment area to look fuller than expected immediately after receiving volumizing fillers due to initial swelling. This can sometimes make patients feel as though too much filler was used, but this temporary fullness is a normal part of the healing process. Swelling typically peaks within the first 24 to 48 hours and then gradually subsides. Certain areas, like the lips, tend to swell more than others due to their delicate tissue and increased blood flow.

Tips for Minimizing Bruising and Swelling

Keeping swelling to a minimum starts before treatment. Avoiding alcohol, blood-thinning medications (if approved by your doctor), and certain supplements like fish oil in the days leading up to your appointment can help reduce bruising. You can keep your head elevated while sleeping to further speed up your recovery. Limiting salty foods and staying properly hydrated can also reduce fluid retention in the treated areas.

When to Expect Your Final Results

While most swelling resolves within a few days, final results take a little longer to fully settle. Depending on the area treated and the type of filler used, the final look is usually visible within two weeks for hyaluronic acid fillers. If adjustments are needed, follow-up appointments can be scheduled after the initial healing period to refine or build on the existing results.

Frequently Asked Questions About Volumizing Fillers

How Are Volumizing Fillers Different From Each Other? 

JUVÉDERM®, Belotero Balance®, Restylane®, and Voluma® are made of hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance found in the body’s connective tissues. Its supply dwindles with age. These fillers are used to treat superficial or fine lines. Radiesse® contains a component naturally found in our bones and teeth but does not contain animal collagen. Radiesse® provides a volume replacement for wrinkles, folds, and sunken depressions and stimulates the body to produce new collagen. Sculptra® Aesthetic collagen stimulators are used to diminish facial wrinkles by helping to restore the deep, underlying structure of the skin. Results appear gradually over the treatment regime (typically three injections over the course of three to four months) and can last up to two years.

How Long Do Volumizing Fillers Last? 

Fillers with Hyaluronic Acid last from 6-24 months. Fillers with calcium-based components can last 12-18 months. Fillers with collagen-based components can last up to 2 years.

Are There Side Effects From Fillers? 

Most side effects following injectable fillers are mild to moderate in nature lasting seven days or less. The most common include, but are not limited to, temporary site reactions such as redness, pain/tenderness, firmness, swelling, bruising, itching, and discoloration. Rare side effects are small lumps/bumps that may form under the skin if the filler moves from the place where it was injected, risk of infection at the site of injection, or injection into a blood vessel causing tissue damage/necrosis.

Is It Uncomfortable to Be Injected? 

Topical local anesthetic can be used prior to the administration of filler if needed. Most fillers have a local anesthetic in them which is adequate for most clients.

How Much Do Volumizing Fillers Cost?

The price of volumizing fillers cost varies based on the type of filler used, the number of syringes needed, and the specific treatment area. Smaller enhancements, like adding subtle volume to the lips, typically require less product than larger areas such as the cheeks or jawline. Some fillers last longer than others, which can also affect overall cost.

How Do I Choose the Best Dermal Filler for Volume?

The best dermal filler for volume depends on the treatment area, the level of enhancement desired, and how long you want the results to last. Firmer fillers like JUVÉDERM Voluma or Restylane Lyft add structure to the cheeks and jawline, while softer fillers like Belotero Balance work well for subtle refinements. If you’re looking for gradual improvement, Sculptra stimulates collagen production over time. We assess facial anatomy and your specific goals to recommend the right option for natural-looking results.

Can Volumizing Fillers Be Dissolved?

Hyaluronic acid fillers can be dissolved with hyaluronidase, an enzyme that breaks down the filler quickly and safely. This option is useful for patients who want to adjust their results or correct overfilling. Biostimulatory fillers like Sculptra and Radiesse work differently, as they stimulate collagen rather than simply adding volume, and they cannot be dissolved. If adjustments are needed, alternative treatments or gradual fading of the filler can help. 

Why Choose Us for Your Volumizing Filler Treatments?

As the first medspa in the area, we’ve been helping patients restore facial volume and enhance their features for years. Our team is backed by OBGYN & Associates, a trusted medical clinic, and every treatment is performed with a high level of care and expertise. With many years of combined experience, we understand how to customize volumizing filler treatments for natural-looking, balanced results. Patients throughout the community continue to trust us because we prioritize safety, precision, and personalized care in every treatment.

Restore Volume & Enhance Your Features With Volumizing Fillers in Cedar Rapids, IA

At Cosmetic Solutions Laser & Skin Care Center, we offer volumizing fillers to restore lost facial volume, smooth wrinkles, and enhance natural contours. If you’re looking for filler injections near you in Cedar Rapids, IA, treatments are available for the cheeks, jawline, lips, and other areas that benefit from additional support. To learn more or schedule an appointment, contact us through the online form or call (319) 368-5566.