Are Injectable Dermal Fillers Painful?

Dermal fillers are done using a topical numbing cream or cold compresses, so you shouldn’t feel any discomfort. Some fillers include anesthetics such as lidocaine, which prevents pain by blocking the signals at the nerve endings in the skin. Patients might feel slightly tender for a day post-treatment, but that should resolve.

How Many Appointments Will I Need?

Most patients will need a single appointment for their dermal filler. Since this treatment is not permanent, patients are recommended to schedule maintenance appointments every six months.

How Long Until I See Results?

Most patients should be able to notice a difference immediately after their treatment. However, they will enjoy their final desired results once the swelling subsides and the filler sets into its resting position after two weeks.

Can I Combine Dermal Fillers With Other Procedures?

Yes, you can! Some of the best procedure combinations with dermal fillers include injectables like BOTOX and wrinkle relaxers or lip augmentation to achieve a smoother and fuller face. Patients are recommended to share their combined procedure goals with Dr. Sato at the initial consultation so that she can best advise them.

What Are the Risks Associated With Dermal Fillers?

While injectable filler treatments are generally safe, certain risks and side effects are associated with the treatment, which can include: Acne-like skin eruptions Allergic reaction to the filler Asymmetry Bleeding from the injection site Damage to the skin that results in a wound and possible scarring Infection at the injection site Lumps The palpability of the filler under the surface of the skin Rash with itching Skin necrosis (ulceration or loss of skin from disruption of blood flow) Skin redness Slight bruising Swelling Under- or over-correction of wrinkles In extremely rare cases, the filler can be accidentally injected into your blood vessels rather than just under your skin, blocking blood flow and producing varying results. If you experience any long-lasting or unexpected reactions, please contact our office right away.

Houston, TX

In Houston

Dermal Fillers

Introduction to Dermal Fillers

If you feel your face lacks youthfulness, consider dermal fillers to reverse those effects and add volume where needed. Dermal fillers are injectables that restore lost facial volume and help you achieve symmetry and rejuvenation of your face—also known as facial balancing. At the practice of board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Erika Sato, we offer various dermal fillers in Houston with varying strengths of function, including Radiesse, Juvéderm, and Restylane product lines.

Before + After

Dermal Fillers Results

Dermal Fillers B&A

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Achieve Balance

What Are Dermal Filler Injections?

Dermal fillers, or soft tissue fillers, are a non-surgical injectable treatment that helps restore facial volume and improve the appearance of dynamic wrinkles and sagging skin. When strategically injected into your skin, they can also enhance facial features such as your lips, cheeks, and chin for natural-looking results. While most dermal fillers consist of Hyaluronic Acid (HA), which is a gooey, natural substance that occurs in the body, there are other fillers that utilize poly-L-lactic acid (a synthetic, biodegradable, and biocompatible polymer) or calcium hydroxyapatite, which is biosynthetically produced, making it a “cruelty-free” option.

Some facial lines and wrinkles form as a result of muscle activity, not loss of volume. If you have these types of wrinkles, Dr. Sato might recommend BOTOX cosmetic or Dysport injections in conjunction with the dermal filler.

Woman with light brown hair wearing a white off-shoulder blouse, sitting on the floor with a calm and introspective expression - Dermal Fillers in Houston, TX

Radiesse

Radiesse is a calcium hydroxyl apatite-based dermal filler that restores volume and stimulates collagen production in the skin. Upon injection, Radiesse provides immediate volume correction, lifting, and contouring of the facial features. Over time, the microspheres in Radiesse stimulate the body’s natural collagen production, providing long-lasting results. This dual-action mechanism smoothes wrinkles and folds and enhances the skin’s elasticity and firmness, making it an excellent choice for non-surgical facial rejuvenation in Houston.

Radiesse is a unique cosmetic dermal filler that stands out for its ability to improve signs of aging in the cheeks and mid-face with long-lasting results. Depending on the treatment area, patients have been shown to enjoy the benefits of this calcium hydroxyl apatite filler for 18 months to up to two years or more. Dr. Sato leverages her facial anatomy and aesthetics expertise to tailor injectable treatments to each person’s needs. Learn more by contacting us today to book a consultation for Radiesse.

The Juvederm Collection

The Juvéderm® collection of fillers is an FDA-approved, smooth-consistency gel that glides easily into the skin to restore fullness to areas of the face that have lost volume over time.

Juvéderm® Volbella XC
Juvéderm® Ultra XC
Juvéderm® Ultra Plus XC
Juvéderm® Vollure XC
Juvéderm® Voluma XC

All Juvéderm® products are derived from hyaluronic acid (HA), a naturally occurring substance already present in the body. HA delivers nutrients to the skin, helping it retain moisture and softness and adding volume.

The Restylane Collection

The Restylane® line of hyaluronic acid fillers is used to smooth away wrinkles and fine lines (Restylane® Silk, Restylane® Refyne, Restylane® Defyne, and/or Restylane® Lyft), create fuller and more accentuated lips (Restylane® Silk, Restylane® Refyne, and/or Restylane® Defyne), and add lift and volume to the cheeks (Restylane® Lyft®). All Restylane® products work to improve facial features and give long-lasting yet non-permanent results.

Restylane® Silk
Restylane® Refyne
Restylane® Defyne
Restylane® Lyft

What Are the Benefits of Dermal Fillers?

Our patients who have received dermal fillers in Houston boast a variety of benefits from these quick boosts of volume and self-esteem. Some of the benefits are:

Enhances your natural beauty
Immediate results
Long-lasting effects
Natural-looking results
Minimal discomfort
Treats common aging concerns (i.e., facial creases, laugh lines, smoker’s, smile, marionette lines, etc.)
Non-surgical
Minimal downtime
Versatility in various facial areas.

Who Are the Best Candidates for Dermal Filler Treatments?

Anyone looking to enhance their appearance by restoring volume to areas of the face that have lost volume over time (including stubborn wrinkles not fully eliminated with BOTOX® or Dysport®) may be a good candidate for dermal fillers. During your consultation, Dr. Sato will evaluate your medical history and examine your skin to determine if Juvéderm® Volbella XC, Juvéderm® Ultra XC, Juvéderm® Ultra Plus XC, Juvéderm® Vollure XC, Juvéderm® Voluma XC, Radiesse®, Restylane® Silk, Restylane® Refyne, Restylane® Defyne, and/or Restylane® Lyft is right for you.

Let’s Get Started

What’s the first step?

A personalized consultation with Dr. Sato is the first step toward achieving your desired facial balancing results. During the consultation, Dr. Sato will assess your facial anatomy, discuss your aesthetic goals, and determine the best treatment plan tailored to your needs. She will also answer any questions you may have and explain the procedure, expected outcomes, and aftercare instructions in detail.

What to Expect on the Day of a Dermal Filler Treatment

Dermal filler injections take about 20 minutes to administer in the office. You will arrive 30 minutes early to apply a topical anesthetic to numb the treatment area and reduce the risk of any potential discomfort.

Using a very fine needle, Dr. Sato will place a series of tiny injections into the skin along the areas being treated. Dr. Sato may gently massage the treated areas during and after the injections to distribute the dermal filler uniformly.

Juvederm for Volume

Wrinkles and lines aren’t the only signs of aging. Over time, the cheeks flatten, and the skin may begin to sag. This is caused by a natural loss of volume in the cheek area, also referred to as age-related midface volume loss. Juvéderm® Voluma XC adds volume to correct age-related volume loss in the cheeks to help create a more youthful appearance. The volume is added beneath the skin’s surface to lift and contour the cheek area.

Juverderm®Volux® XC is the first and only FDA-approved HA filler for long-lasting jawline definition. Add volume and a more defined look (achieve the very popular “Texas Jawline”) with results that last up to one year.

Juvederm for Lines & Wrinkles

Juvéderm® offers two formulations for smoothing wrinkles and fine lines around the nose and mouth. Juvéderm® Vollure XC softens moderate to severe facial lines and wrinkles to create a smoother appearance with long-lasting results for up to 18 months. Juvéderm® XC is an injectable gel that instantly smooths moderate to severe parentheses lines and wrinkles around the nose or mouth, delivering results that last up to one year.

Juvederm for Lips

Juvéderm® has two formulations for your unique lip needs. Juvéderm® Ultra XC and Juvéderm® Ultra Plus XC add more fullness and plump thin lips whether your lips have thinned over time or you want fuller lips. Juvéderm® Volbella XC is tailored to add subtle volume to the lips and smooth the appearance of vertical lip lines.

Dermal Fillers Recovery

Patients are able to return to their normal activities almost immediately following their treatment, but you should avoid rubbing your treatment area for the first 24 – 48 hours to prevent the filler from spreading elsewhere.

After dermal filler injections, patients typically experience some swelling, redness, or bruising at the injection sites. These side effects are generally mild and subside within a few days. The results are visible immediately, with continued improvement as collagen production increases. Patients can expect a rejuvenated appearance with smoother skin and restored facial volume.

Dr. Sato provides comprehensive aftercare instructions to ensure optimal results and a smooth recovery process.

An ice pack can be applied for the first 24 hours to help decrease swelling and bruising. There is no downtime, and you can return to normal activities with virtually no restrictions immediately after the procedure.

To minimize your chance of bruising, it is best to avoid alcohol consumption for 48 hours before your injection. NSAIDs such as Ibuprofen or Aleve and Aspirin should be avoided for seven days before and after the injection.

The results of injections with the Juvéderm® collection of fillers are visible immediately and will continue to improve as swelling and bruising subside.

Juvéderm® Volbella XC, Juvéderm® Ultra XC, and Juvéderm® Ultra Plus effects are expected to last 6-9 months, but in many patients, they can last up to a year.
Juvéderm® Vollure XC results can last up to 18 months.
Juvéderm® Voluma XC results can last up to two years.

How Much Do Dermal Fillers Cost in Houston, TX?

The cost of filler depends on multiple factors, including the type of filler being used, the size of the target area, and the provider’s fee. The fastest way to arrive at a cost for your treatment is to schedule a consultation at the practice of Erika Sato, M.D., so that you can receive a treatment plan, which you can then take to the patient coordinator for pricing and payment options.

Why Choose Dr. Sato?

Choosing Dr. Sato for your Houston dermal fillers means choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience in facial aesthetics. Her plastic surgery practice in Houston is known for its commitment to patient safety, satisfaction, and the use of advanced, FDA-approved treatments. With a keen eye for detail and a compassionate approach, Dr. Sato ensures that each patient receives the highest standard of care and achieves an optimal outcome.

Furthermore, she is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) and specializes in cosmetic surgery of the face, breast, and body. She performs the latest treatments in aesthetic surgery and nonsurgical rejuvenation. Dr. Sato is also affiliated with the American College of Surgeons (ACS), the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the Texas Medical Association (TMA), and the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS).

Dermal Fillers FAQ’S

While injectable filler treatments are generally safe, certain risks and side effects are associated with the treatment, which can include:
- Acne-like skin eruptions
- Allergic reaction to the filler
- Asymmetry
- Bleeding from the injection site
- Damage to the skin that results in a wound and possible scarring
- Infection at the injection site
- Lumps
- The palpability of the filler under the surface of the skin
- Rash with itching
- Skin necrosis (ulceration or loss of skin from disruption of blood flow)
- Skin redness
- Slight bruising
- Swelling
- Under- or over-correction of wrinkles
In extremely rare cases, the filler can be accidentally injected into your blood vessels rather than just under your skin, blocking blood flow and producing varying results. If you experience any long-lasting or unexpected reactions, please contact our office right away.

#dr.erikasato

@dr.erikasato

Patient Reviews

“Dr Sato is Excellent! ”

Dr Sato is Excellent! She did a great job on my Botox, sunken eye issue resolved w filler (AMAZING) & luscious lips!!! She did my Mommy makeover a few years ago & every year when I go for my annual gyno & mammogram they always compliment me on my lift and implants! I trust her honest opinion! She is an artist! So glad I finally used her for my face! 🙂

— Kayla Hayes

Schedule a consultation

To learn more about injectable treatments like Radiesse, Restylane, and Juvederm, please request an appointment with Dr. Sato as soon as possible. With our comprehensive selection of premium non-surgical treatments, you can achieve facial balancing in less than an hour with a convenient outpatient procedure.

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