A dermal filler is a cosmetic injection that works to lift, fill, smooth, and add volume to the skin.

Placed under the skin with a super-fine needle, the injection will instantly restore facial volume and improve the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and folds.

Filler results will continue to improve over the next week as the skin rejuvenates, providing a more youthful, refreshed appearance.

Results can last up to two years, depending on the type of filler used, such as hyaluronic acid fillers, Radiesse or Sculptra.

At this time, a maintenance regime is recommended to sustain long-lasting facial enhancement and natural-looking results.

A better question than “where can you get a dermal filler on the face?” is “where CAN’T you get a dermal filler on the face?” 

Put simply, there’s a filler for practically every facial concern.

Cosmetic fillers have broad application on the face. Generally speaking, they vary by their active ingredient. However, they also vary by the formulation of their active ingredient.

In a nutshell, this means each one will work better for either a specific area of the face or a specific skincare concern.

For example, a softer filler will have a lighter weight and smaller size of its active ingredient. Therefore, it would generally be more effective for superficial skin concerns, such as smoothing lip lines.

On the other hand, a sturdier filler will have a heavier weight and larger size of its active ingredient. Therefore, it would be better suited to help define the cheekbone.

Filler results depend on the area of treatment, as well as the formulation used.

Specifically, different types of dermal fillers are highly effective at:

• Improving skin texture on all areas of the face
• Smoothing fine lines and wrinkles on all areas of the face
• Reversing laugh lines around the eyes and mouth
• Reducing eye bags under the eyes in the tear trough area
• Reducing crow’s feet at the corners of the eyes
• Diminishing a hooded eyebrow
• Cheek augmentation, in order to restore sunken hollows
• Restoring the jawline or saggy jowls
• Minimizing nasolabial folds and marionette lines around the nose and mouth
• Lip augmentation, including plumping the lips and reversing vertical wrinkles

The different types of dermal fillers vary by their active ingredient, including:

• Hyaluronic Acid (HA)
• Calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHa)
• Polylactic Acid (PLLA)

Hyaluronic Acid or HA is one of the most popular active ingredients for dermal fillers. It’s a water-loving molecule naturally produced by the body. Able to hold water up to 1000 times its weight, it’s highly effective at lubricating and nourishing skin that has thinned and/or connective tissue that has weakened, due to age.

By replenishing the HA with an injection under the skin,  a dermal filler will work to restore the visible signs of aging on the surface of the skin.

To reiterate, each brand of HA fillers includes a complete line of products. Specifically, the products will vary by the size and weight of their HA molecules.

Therefore, each HA filler within the brand will effectively treat different aging concerns. From thickest to thinnest fillers, these include:

• Juvederm (Allergan): Ultra, Ultra Plus, Voluma, Vollure and Volbella
• Restylane (Galderma): Lyft, Defyne, Refyne, Silk, Kysse
• Belotero (Merz): Volume, Intense, Balance, Soft

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You may notice that the brands of Hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers offer multiple formulations. These range in consistency from thick to thin.

Thicker fillers, like Juvederm Voluma or Restylane Lyft, provide more lift and are ideal for areas that need volume, such as cheeks, jawline, or temples.

On the other hand, softer, thinner fillers, such as Juvederm Volbella or Belotero Balance, are perfect for delicate areas like under the eyes, lips, or fine lines, giving a subtle and natural result.

Selecting the right formulation ensures the best outcome for your facial anatomy and cosmetic goals.

As always, we recommend coming in for a consultation with a skincare specialist at our Upper East Side Medical Spa to get personalized filler recommendations for your beauty concerns.

HA Fillers Results Timeline / Duration:

• Immediate results: Volume and contour improvement are immediately visible following your session.

• Initial swelling: Mild swelling or bruising may occur for 1-2 days.

• Full results: Typically seen within 1–2 weeks.

• Duration: Most HA fillers last 6–12 months, depending on the formulation and treatment area.

• Thicker formulations: used in cheeks or jawline may last 12–24 months.

• Metabolized Naturally: HA fillers are broken down by the body over time.

• Maintenance: Touch-up treatments help maintain consistent results.

• Reversible: HA fillers can be dissolved with hyaluronidase if adjustment is needed.

Calcium Hydroxylapatite (CaHa) is the active ingredient in Radiesse. It’s a mineral-like substance that’s naturally produced in the body.

Sharing similarities to bone, it’s highly effective at providing a sturdy structure to the face, including restoring the v-shaped contour of the face, as well as filling in deep creases, furrows or hollows.

As a filler formulation, the calcium particles are suspended in a gel-like substance that’s thicker than HA fillers. 

Additionally, Radiesse differs from an HA filler. It acts as a biostimulator (Calcium Hydroxylapatite Filler or CaHa) under the skin, meaning it also encourages your body to produce natural collagen over time, enhancing long-term results.

Results Timeline / Duration:

• Immediate structure and lift: Noticeable volume improvement following your session.

• Side Effects: Mild swelling or firmness may occur for several days.

• Collagen stimulation: CaHA acts as a biostimulator, encouraging natural collagen production over time.

• Ongoing improvement: Skin texture and firmness may continue to improve over several weeks.

• Results Timeline: Typically lasts 12 months, and in some patients up to 18 months depending on treatment area and metabolism.

• Gradual absorption: The gel carrier is absorbed first, while collagen support remains.

• Not fully reversible: CaHA fillers cannot be dissolved like HA fillers.

Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) found in Sculptra is a biocompatible synthetic filler with a long-standing record of safe medical use, including applications like dissolvable sutures.

Unlike hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers or calcium hydroxylapatite, which provide immediate results and remain under the skin until naturally absorbed, PLLA works differently. It’s classified as a biostimulatory filler, often called a “collagen stimulator.”

After injection, PLLA’s carrier fluid is absorbed within a few days, triggering a gradual collagen-building process that restores facial volume over time.

Because of its thicker consistency, PLLA is generally recommended for lower face volumization, offering results that can last two years or more when full correction is achieved.

Patients usually require a series of treatments to reach optimal results.

PLLA Results Timeline and Benefits

• Gradual improvement – Initial swelling from the injection fluid diminishes within a few days.

• Collagen stimulation – Works by encouraging your body’s own natural collagen production.

• Progressive volume restoration – Full facial enhancement develops over 6–12 weeks.

• Series of treatments – Typically requires 2–3 sessions, spaced several weeks apart, for best results.

• Long-lasting effect – Can maintain facial volume for up to 2 years after completing the treatment series.

• Natural-looking results – Ideal for overall facial rejuvenation rather than targeted spot correction.

• Non-reversible – Unlike HA fillers, PLLA cannot be dissolved once injected.

• Maintenance – Touch-up sessions may be needed after two years to sustain collagen levels and youthful volume.

The facial filler procedure is simple and usually takes between 15 minutes to an hour, depending on the treatment area.

Our Medical Director, Dr. George, MD,  will evaluate your face, and mark strategic injection points for placement.

Using a super-fine needle, he will inject along these predetermined sites.

Finally, he will evaluate the treatment area to assess whether additional dermal filler is needed to assure maximum benefit to the skin.

Think of different types of fillers like comparing apples and oranges — each option has its own strengths, and the best choice depends on your unique goals, timeline, and anatomy.

HA Fillers (like Juvederm or Restylane)are perfect if you want immediate, targeted volume — especially in areas like the lips, nasolabial folds, or under-eyes. They’re versatile and reversible, which makes them a great option for first-timers or those with short-term goals.

CaHA Filler (like Radiesse) offer a combination of both: immediate lift and long-term collagen stimulation. They’re often used in the lower face and hands for a more sculpted, defined look.

PLLA Filler (like Sculptra) is ideal if you’re looking for a gradual, long-lasting transformation that works by stimulating your skin’s own collagen production. It’s not about instant results, but about restoring structure, firmness, and volume from within over time.

In short, no one filler is “better” across the board — it’s about what’s best for you. During your consultation, we’ll help you decide which approach aligns with your treatment goals and desired outcome.

There’s an arsenal of specialized fillers available today. That’s why it’s so important to find a physician with medical training, knowledge of facial anatomy and a keen eye for aesthetics to perform your treatment. It’s the best way to assure you get a safe, effective and personalized treatment. Make sure your doctor:

• Has a proven track record of injecting on many patients

• Has knowledge about how different formulations work for particular skincare concerns

• Takes your individual anatomy and extent into consideration

• Has expertise about where to inject product to get the filler results you’re looking for

• Knows how much product to be injected to achieve natural results

• Can advise the right maintenance schedule to extend these results

Our on-site Medical Director, Dr. George Liakeas has close to 20 years experience administering cosmetic injectables. This expertise means you are literally in good hands with our doctor.

He knows exactly where to inject, in order to assure the maximum safety and results while minimizing the risks and side effects.

Smooth Synergy Medspa & Laser Center’s Medical Director, Dr. George Liakeas, is a trusted medical physician with a sharp eye for aesthetics. He excels at understanding the contours of the face.

Dr. Liakeas uses an optimized injectable protocol — careful injection technique and expert post-care — to maximize safety and deliver results.

• 20+ years experience in aesthetic injectables and cosmetic rejuvenation
• Personalized treatment planning based on body anatomy and aesthetic goals
• Proven results and patient satisfaction with meticulous aftercare

His individualized approach ensures that each treatment plan is tailored to your unique facial anatomy and beauty goals. 

Because of the leadership of Dr. Liakeas, Smooth Synergy Medical Spa in Manhattan is consistently rated one of the top Botox and Filler providers in NYC for both expertise and patient satisfaction.

Smooth Synergy® Medical Spa and Laser Center on the Upper Eastside Manhattan, NYC prides itself on being one of the best spas in NYC, offering a complete line of nonsurgical facial treatments.

We provide personalized skincare consultations to determine the most effective treatment for your unique needs. Clients from the Upper East Side, Midtown East, Gramercy and beyond trust us for their treatment needs.

Why Choose Our Upper East Side Medical Spa for Dermal Fillers?

• Top-rated provider of Fillers in New York

• Established in 2002, among the first to offer injectables in NYC

• Medical Director and Master Injector Dr. George Liakeas personally oversees a highly trained team of estheticians and skincare professionals

• Over 200 positive reviews on Yelp and Google

If you’re ready to explore your nonsurgical / noninvasive body treatment options, book a consultation with an Expert in Beauty who can tailor a plan that fits your goals. 

Call us at 212-397-0111 to speak with an expert in beauty and to learn more about our full range of cosmetic injectables, including neurotoxins: Botox, Dysport, Xeomin, and dermal fillers: Sculptra, Radiesse, Juvederm, Restylane and Belotero, as well as nonsurgical skin tightening such as Ultherapy, PRP and RF Microneedling.

Book a consultation with our skin care specialists to find out which one is best for you. 

Our Medical Director, George Liakeas, MD has been performing filler procedures since 2002. This experience translates into a superior ability to pick the right filler for you, as well as expertise in how to place product on your face. As a result, we assure you will look your best.