Our Guide to Facial Fillers From Treatment Options to Recovery Time
The prevalence of weight loss medications has made a difference in the filler world too. Multiple doctors we spoke with for this story all highlighted a considerable uptick in patients who have lost substantial weight on a GLP-1 and are looking to restore some of the facial plumpness shed in the process. While significant skin laxity usually requires surgical intervention, filler can be used in GLP-1 patients with midface hollowing, says Dr. Basu. “That’s where HA fillers are a wonderful tool,” he says.
Biostimulators like Radiesse, on the other hand, can be used in “clever” spots like crepey skin on the arms, around the elbows, and on the upper knees, Dr. Doft says. Doctors can also mimic some of the effects of a chin implant or nose job with well-placed filler. (However, it’s worth noting that the nose is a vascularly complex area, and it’s vital to have a board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon perform a liquid rhinoplasty.) These nonsurgical enhancements are ideal for patients who want a subtle tweak to their profile or are curious about potential surgical interventions but don’t feel quite ready to go under the knife.
For example, when filler is injected into the nose, doctors can help with “straightening or improving symmetry,” says Dr. Doft. Chin filler, on the other hand, enhances facial balance, particularly from a profile view, says Robert Schwarcz, MD, a board-certified plastic surgeon in New York City. He prefers using Restylane Lyft for sculpting stronger chins, which he says has “the most ability to stand up on itself and not sit flat like a puddle.” Dr. Schwarcz typically performs chin filler on a patient twice a year to maintain the desired shape, though some do eventually opt for surgery, he notes.
Still, while filler can transform your face by subtly contouring, smoothing wrinkles, giving deflated lips a boost, and even tweaking the shape of your nose, it’s important to remember that it can’t do everything—including, perhaps most notably, lifting dramatically sagging skin.
“Less is more” is the rule of thumb.
Doctors widely agree that a “less is more” approach is typically best for filler and that, when done well, it can help restore balance to the face and provide a subtle refresh. “One major misconception is that filler always makes people look overdone or ‘puffy,’” Dr. Engelman says. “In reality, when placed strategically and administered by a skilled injector, filler can look incredibly natural. It’s about restoration, not exaggeration.” Dr. Basu agrees. “The best filler work is the kind you don’t notice,” he says.