Dermal Fillers

What Are Dermal Fillers?

Dermal fillers are injectable substances that restore lost volume, smooth fine lines and wrinkles, and enhance the natural contours of the face. Most fillers used in clinical practice today are based on hyaluronic acid, a substance that occurs naturally in the body and has a strong affinity for water. When injected beneath the skin, it draws in moisture and creates a soft, plumping effect that integrates naturally with the surrounding tissue.

At Abbotsford Plastic Surgery, we use only trusted, Health Canada-approved filler brands. Our primary products include Restylane® and Stylage®, each formulated for different areas and degrees of correction. The selection of the right filler for each treatment zone is a clinical decision, one that Dr. Brown will make based on your anatomy, the depth of the tissue being treated, and the result you are hoping to achieve.

What Can Dermal Fillers Address?

Dermal fillers are among the most versatile tools available in non-surgical facial rejuvenation. Common treatment areas include:

• Under-eye hollows (tear troughs): Restylane Eyelight is specifically formulated for the delicate periorbital area, brightening a tired or hollowed appearance.
• Cheeks and mid-face: Volume replacement in the cheeks restores the lifted, sculpted appearance that characterizes a youthful face.
• Nasolabial folds: The lines that run from the nose to the corners of the mouth can be softened significantly with strategic filler placement.
• Lips: Fillers can add definition to the lip border, subtle volume, or both, depending on your natural anatomy and desired outcome.
• Jawline and chin: Structural fillers can sharpen a poorly defined jawline or provide better chin projection and facial balance.
• Marionette lines: The vertical lines that pull downward from the corners of the mouth respond well to targeted filler injection.
• Hands: Volume loss in the back of the hands is a common sign of ageing that fillers can address effectively.
• Skin quality (Restylane Skin Boosters): Beyond structural volume, skin booster treatments hydrate from within, improving skin texture, elasticity, and overall radiance.

The Benefits of Dermal Fillers

One of the most significant advantages of dermal fillers is that they deliver meaningful, visible change without surgery, general anaesthetic, or significant downtime. Results are typically visible immediately, and for most patients, normal activities can resume the same day or the following morning.

Beyond convenience, the benefits of a well-performed filler treatment include:

• Restored facial volume and a more refreshed, rested appearance
• Softened wrinkles and fine lines without the frozen effect associated with neurotoxins
• Improved facial symmetry and contour definition
• Results that appear natural and proportionate rather than overdone
• Temporary, reversible treatment, giving you flexibility as your aesthetic goals evolve over time
• The ability to combine treatments, such as pairing fillers with Botox or skin resurfacing, for comprehensive rejuvenation

Are You a Good Candidate for Dermal Fillers?

Most adults in good general health who are experiencing visible signs of facial ageing, or who wish to enhance specific features, are suitable candidates for dermal fillers. The treatment is particularly well-suited for patients who want a meaningful improvement without committing to a surgical procedure or an extended recovery period.

Ideal candidates tend to be those who have realistic expectations about what filler can and cannot achieve. Fillers work exceptionally well for volume restoration, line softening, and contouring. For patients with significant skin laxity or very advanced ageing, a surgical consultation may be the more appropriate starting point, and Dr. Brown is well-positioned to advise you on which path makes the most sense given your anatomy.

There are circumstances in which dermal fillers are not recommended. You should not proceed with treatment if any of the following apply:

• You are currently pregnant or breastfeeding
• You have a known allergy to bee or wasp stings (relevant to certain product formulations)
• You are currently taking blood thinners or a course of antibiotics
• You have an active skin infection or inflammation in the planned treatment area

During your consultation, Dr. Brown will review your health history in detail to confirm that filler is appropriate for you and to identify any factors that could affect your results or safety.

The Dermal Filler Experience at Abbotsford Plastic Surgery

Your Consultation

Every treatment begins with a thorough consultation, a genuine conversation about your concerns, goals, and the clinical findings that will guide your plan. Dr. Brown assesses the face as a whole rather than treating areas in isolation, and if a different approach would better serve your goals, he will say so directly. You will have the opportunity to ask questions and discuss pricing before committing to anything.

The Treatment Appointment

A topical numbing cream is applied before injection, and most filler products contain lidocaine, so the majority of patients describe the experience as mild pressure rather than pain. A typical appointment takes between 30 and 60 minutes, with results immediately visible at the end of your visit, though some initial swelling is normal.

Recovery and Timeline

Most patients return to their normal routine the same day. Mild swelling and occasional bruising are the most common side effects, both of which resolve on their own within one to two weeks. The full, settled result is generally visible by the 10 to 14-day mark.

Results from hyaluronic acid fillers generally last between 6 and 18 months, depending on the product used, the area treated, and individual factors such as metabolism and lifestyle. Structural areas like the cheeks and jawline tend to hold filler longer than more dynamic areas such as the lips. For patients interested in longer-lasting volume, Sculptra®, a biostimulatory injectable that gradually encourages the body’s own collagen production, is also available and can maintain results for up to two years.

Aftercare Instructions

Following your treatment, the nurse will provide you with clear aftercare guidance. The key recommendations include:

• Avoid touching, pressing, or massaging the treated area for at least 24 hours
• Stay upright for several hours after treatment; avoid lying flat immediately
• Avoid strenuous exercise, saunas, and significant heat exposure for 24 to 48 hours
• Do not consume alcohol in the immediate post-treatment period, as this can increase swelling and bruising
• Apply a cold compress gently to the area if swelling is uncomfortable, but do not apply direct pressure
• Contact the clinic promptly if you notice any unusual symptoms such as significant asymmetry, skin colour changes, or pain that worsens rather than improves over the first 48 hours

Why Choose Us for Dermal Fillers?

In British Columbia, dermal fillers can be legally administered by a wide range of practitioners. What sets our team apart is the depth of surgical training behind every injection: a precise understanding of facial anatomy, vascular structures, and how volume placed in one area affects the face as a whole. This informs not only where filler is placed but how much is used, which product is selected, and how to manage any complication should one arise.

The nurse administering your injections will follow an approach guided by a commitment to results that look like you at your best, refreshed rather than obviously treated. Whether you are considering fillers for the first time or looking for a higher standard of care, we encourage you to book a consultation and experience the difference firsthand.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dermal Fillers