Stephen P. Bracci, MD

Yes, fillers can be used to reduce the resting ‘eleven’ lines that appear between the eyebrows. Fillers work by filling in the creases in the skin by re-supporting the lost tissue both within and below the skin.

Another alternative is to use Botox in combination with fillers. Patients sometimes prefer this because it can allow the fillers to last longer. 

It is important to keep in mind that applying fillers in the eleven-lines area is riskier and more difficult than using fillers in other areas, so it is best to select a physician that is dedicated exclusively to providing cosmetic injectables.

Based upon your age, photo and the description you presented, you seem to be an excellent candidate for facial support and lifting from cosmetic fillers. You are correct when you say that that, due to the hormonal changes and weight changes during pregnancy, there may have been a loss of support below the skin, leading to increased skin sagging.

Cosmetic fillers have a distinct advantage in most cases in that they are not permanent, can be adjusted annually to maintain natural results of skin support, and don't require surgery. If your goal is to replace what was lost then using the proper fillers is an excellent choice. Remember, it’s always best to get filler treatments from an experienced provider who specializes exclusively in injectables.

Because you are most likely experiencing residual swelling, 10 days is premature to determine the quality of your results. Cannulas are used to improve the safety of the treatment, but do not necessarily improve the smoothness of the results. If the filler was a hyaluronic acid based filler, such as Restylane or Juvederm, then you may benefit from an injection of Hyaluronidase, an enzyme which can reduce some of the filler lumps that are the most pronounced.    

Regardless, you should wait at least 2 to 3 weeks  before determining the quality of your results. You should follow-up with the physician who administered the treatment you are referring to.

Yes, cosmetic fillers can be used to enhance the contours of your facial features. This is best done with firm fillers, such as Radiesse or Sculptra. The goal is to improve the definition of the face without making the face round or puffy. Kybella may also be beneficial to lessen the under chin fat (double chin). To get the best outcome, it is always best to select a dedicated injectable specialist whose sole focus is on facial injectables.

Yes, the upper lip position can be enhanced and lifted with cosmetic fillers. The secret lies in matching the appearance of the upper lip with the areas surrounding the mouth.Some clients may only need to treat the upper lip in order to achieve their desired results while other patients may benefit from treating both the upper lip and the area above the upper lip, the nasolabial folds (smile lines,) and the lower lip as well. 

The key is to consider the entire face as opposed to only considering/treating the lip itself. A physician who specializes solely in cosmetic injectables is advisable.

Hi Rvillalvazo,

 Yes, fillers can absolutely serve to improve the sharpness of the jaw contour without making it appear puffy. Using firmer fillers in this area, such as Radiesse or Sculptra, is considered an off-label use but can add definition without adding puffiness. Other filler types, such as Hyaluronic acid fillers, may retain water and cause the area to appear puffy. The key to achieving a natural looking, sharply contoured jawline lies in the aesthetics of the provider and their ability to select the correct injection site as well as the correct product and amount. 

 If you go with the more firm fillers, several syringes or vials may be needed on each side of the face to get noticeable improvements. Depending on which filler you use and how much is applied, the results may persist for a year or more.

It is generally true that applying more fillers to an area tends to stretch the skin and tissue, allowing for expansion over time. Applying too much at once, however, may cause pressure and discomfort, so you need to be careful about injecting just the right amount.

 The nice thing about fillers is that this expansion can be done gradually and is not permanent, should you prefer less results in the future. One approach to avoiding the pain of expansion you experienced may be to have less product injected each session, applying the same amount of product over the course of several visits. Moreover, having Radiesse combined with another product, such as a Hyaluronic acid filler, may prove to complement the Radiesse well.  Moreover, it is best to choose a Physician who has a lot of experience and specializes exclusively in injectables.

Hi NotSoHeavenly,

If you mean fuller lips when you say “wider” lips then, yes, lip fillers can help to provide wider lips. Lips are commonly treated with a filler type called Hyaluronic acids, which include popular filler such as Juvederm. The nice thing about using this type of filler in the lip is that they hold water, making them appear plumper. 

One common approach is to receive one syringe of filler during your first visit and then return a week latter to receive more until the desired look is achieved. Always best to seek a Physician injector who is dedicated full-time to injectables. 

Hi Sharon,

Reducing the amount of filler in this area is not difficult at all, as long as the filler used is a Hyaluronic Acid based filler. To do this, a physician will typically inject a small amount of an enzyme, called hyaluronidase, into the area that was previously treated with HA fillers. By injecting Hyaluronidase into the injection site, it is possible to reduce the amount of filler in this area without fully eliminating all of the filler injected. Keep in mind that it is best to wait at least several weeks to fully assess your results from fillers before you choose this option as you may still be experiencing swelling.

The fees for dissolving or reducing fillers are individualized by each physician, however, many physicians will not charge to reduce or blend filler products that they themselves have applied. It is always best always to seek a physician who is solely dedicated to cosmetic injectables.

Hi nrh_123,

 I'm having a hard time understanding which photo is of you and which is of the desired results you're looking for, so I thought I'd provide you a more general answer. Fillers can certainly enhance and change the shape of the face. An experienced injector can use fillers to make the face more contoured while also providing support and fullness to the chin area. A skilled injector will consider three things when using fillers to contour the face: the type of filler used, the amount of filler used, and the site of injection.

If you’re using a more firm filler, such as Radiesse or Sculptra, It may take five or more syringes to build up enough support to noticeably enhance the shape of the face. Other types of fillers, such as hyaluronic acid based fillers, may not provide as much relative contour definition to the face. Always best to choose a dedicated full time cosmetic injector with a lot of experience.