Myths About Face Fillers You Should Stop Believing

Since the popularization of modern-day fillers in the early 2000s, folks everywhere have rushed to plump up their faces. The slightly invasive cosmetic procedure has done wonders for those wanting to achieve a more youthful appearance, but that's not all face fillers have been used for. Patients wanting to even out their features or fill out noticeable scars have found them to be a wonderful treatment as well. 

Unfortunately, fillers got somewhat of a bad rap when celebs started using them en masse in the 2010s. Or perhaps your coworker came back from an appointment all bruised up, and it turned you off of injectables forever. Well, Chris Bustamante, DNP, NP-C, the founder of leading New York City aesthetics clinic Lushful Aesthetics, is here to bust common myths related to dermal fillers to help us all understand them better — and break down the stigma surrounding them. While all cosmetic treatments come with risks, especially if a needle is involved, understanding just what to expect should ease any qualms you have about face fillers.

The main reason for getting dermal fillers may seem pretty obvious: People want to add volume to their face. However, Chris Bustamante exclusively shares with Glam that there are, in fact, two main purposes of face fillers, the other being to restore hollow areas due to aging. This can be anywhere from under the eyes to sunken areas of the cheeks. "Fillers in regards to restoration are usually minimally required when utilizing a comprehensive plan for anti-aging," he explains.

Using fillers for augmentation, however, is much more extensive, Bustamante warns us. For example, if a patient wants to build volume on the bridge of their nose or address structural issues, they should be prepared for more syringes. "It should also be noted that many young patients seek out augmentations and the results can be extremely natural even when using larger quantities of filler," Bustamante adds. "It's all about understanding the anatomy, filler placement, filler rheology (the biophysical property of each type of filler), and the patient's goals."

When getting injectables, you can expect some bruising and swelling, but according to Chris Bustamante, these after-effects depend on many factors and are different for everyone. "In most cases, it's more of a matter of suggesting that 'everything is settled after two weeks.' That may not always be the case," he exclusively tells Glam, adding, "I like to lay it out directly for my patients that this will vary a lot on how many syringes of filler are placed, what type of filler is utilized, and where the filler is placed." Generally, Bustamante estimates about three days of obvious swelling, but patients should be completely healed by six weeks of the injections. "And just to clarify, results will look better day by day and you may very well love your results in two weeks, but just know it will settle beyond that," he adds.

Bruising is another matter entirely and will depend on the client, such as whether they're taking blood thinners or have consumed alcohol prior to the treatment. If you notice extreme changes, don't just chalk it up to a side-effect of fillers. "Always report any concerning swelling, pain, or color changes post-treatment to your provider immediately to be addressed," Bustamante warns us.

The worst part about face fillers is going through the actual procedure, but Chris Bustamante assures us that it's not that bad: "Most areas of the face, with the exception of lips (sorry!), are honestly not very painful, especially when utilizing a cannula to inject the filler." He exclusively explains to Glam that he uses specific sizes depending on the area of the injection site to ensure safety and minimal pain. If you're experiencing an undue amount of discomfort, tell your provider immediately so that they can assess the situation, Bustamante advised.

While you may feel discomfort during the procedure, first-time face-filler users will be relieved to learn that you shouldn't feel any pain post-treatment, although some soreness is to be expected. The Lushful Aesthetics owner tells us, "Minor achiness is very normal and gets better day by day. Patients can take over-the-counter Tylenol if it's okay with their primary care provider until this resolves." However, many are able to go about their day with very little discomfort, if any at all.

We all know that face fillers are on the pricey side, but what you may not know is that the final cost depends on whether the provider charges per syringe or per area, Chris Bustamante exclusively tells Glam. However, he notes that many facilities price their services on the number of syringes they use. One thing Bustamante made sure to point out is that more skilled providers will quote you for more syringes because they can estimate more accurately than a less-experienced person how much filler your face needs. "Don't let the price be the deciding factor," he advises us. "Go based on the provider's portfolio of their work. Do their before and after photos align with your vision? Do they have positive reviews and the right credentials? Then, that's who you should see!"

The most important thing is to find a trustworthy professional who will give you ideal results. "Yes, this requires a budget. But ultimately, this is your face, and although most fillers are dissolvable, don't think it's an easy fix if it's done poorly," Bustamante warns us. "Plus, you'll pay even more to fix it." In short, fillers are an investment, but if you find the right provider, you'll see that they're worth the extra bucks.

If you're considering face fillers as an anti-aging procedure, you're on the right track, but that shouldn't be the first treatment you seek. Chris Bustamante explains that lasers and chemical peels are two of the best procedures that will leave you looking youthful. "Lasers and chemical peels build your own natural collagen and elastin, address skin pigmentation issues, and improve skin texture — all of this while keeping you looking exactly as you are," he exclusively explains to Glam. According to Bustamante, adding a neuromodulator such as Botox three to four times a year on top of the laser or chemical peels is the perfect formula for a fresh face.

That's not to say that fillers aren't necessary, but our expert thinks that they shouldn't be your go-to if your aim is to look young. "Fillers and surgery of course do play a major role, but their utilization from an anti-aging/preventive aging is going to be far less in frequency," Bustamante tells us. On top of chemical peels, laser treatments, and neuromodulators, the number-one rule for keeping your skin healthy is to use sunscreen. "If patients are not utilizing an SPF, essentially nothing we're doing in the office matters because they're destroying their results with daily UV exposure, along with increasing their risks for cancers," Bustamante concludes.