Question 1

How much do dermal fillers cost?

Accepted Answer

Dermal fillers typically cost $600–$2,000 per syringe, depending on the product and treatment area. Lip filler averages one syringe, while cheek augmentation may require two to four. See our 2026 lip filler cost guide for a city-by-city pricing breakdown.

Question 2

How much does lip filler cost in 2026?

Accepted Answer

Lip filler from established board-certified providers typically runs $650–$1,000 per syringe in Austin, Dallas, and Phoenix. Luxury markets like NYC and LA run $850–$1,400. Most patients use one syringe per visit. Pricing under $450 per syringe in any major metro should raise questions about product authenticity or injector credentials.

Question 3

How long does lip filler last?

Accepted Answer

Most hyaluronic acid lip fillers last 6–12 months. Volbella and Restylane Kysse tend toward the longer end (9–12 months). Juvederm Ultra is shorter (6–9 months). Lip filler dissipates faster than filler in less mobile facial areas because of constant movement from talking and eating.

Question 4

How long do fillers last?

Accepted Answer

Results vary by product: lip fillers last 6–12 months, cheek fillers 12–24 months, and jawline fillers up to 18 months. Hyaluronic acid fillers like Juvederm and Restylane can be dissolved if needed.

Question 5

Do fillers hurt?

Accepted Answer

Most fillers contain lidocaine for comfort. Providers also offer topical numbing cream. Most patients describe the sensation as pressure rather than sharp pain, with lips being the most sensitive area. For what to expect afterward, see our [filler recovery guide](/blog/what-to-do-after-filler-recovery-guide).

Question 6

Can fillers look natural?

Accepted Answer

Yes — natural results depend on the injector's skill and a conservative approach. An experienced provider will enhance your features rather than create an overdone look. Start with less and add more if desired. For under-eye filler specifically, candidate selection matters as much as technique — our [under-eye filler guide](/blog/under-eye-filler-tear-trough-guide) covers who gets natural results and who should skip it.

Question 7

What's the difference between Botox and fillers?

Accepted Answer

Botox relaxes muscles that cause wrinkles, while fillers add volume beneath the skin. They treat different concerns and are often used together. Botox works on forehead lines and crow's feet; fillers restore cheek volume, enhance lips, and define jawlines.

Question 8

What should I avoid after getting filler?

Accepted Answer

For the first 24 hours: no exercise, no alcohol, no ibuprofen or aspirin, and don't touch or massage the area. For two weeks: no facials, chemical peels, lasers, or microneedling over the treated area. Swelling peaks at 48–72 hours — don't judge your result until day 14. See our complete [filler recovery guide](/blog/what-to-do-after-filler-recovery-guide) for a day-by-day timeline.

Question 9

When should I call my provider after filler?

Accepted Answer

Call your provider same-day for severe increasing pain, skin blanching, or dusky discoloration — these can indicate a vascular occlusion, which is rare but time-sensitive. Any vision change after filler is a medical emergency: go to the emergency room and tell them you just had filler. Contact within 48 hours for hard or growing lumps, signs of infection, or significant asymmetry that doesn't improve by day 10. Normal swelling, bruising, and mild asymmetry in the first two weeks are not emergencies. Our [recovery guide](/blog/what-to-do-after-filler-recovery-guide) has the full breakdown of normal versus not normal, and our [guide to vascular occlusion](/blog/vascular-occlusion-filler) explains the warning signs in detail.

Question 10

Am I a good candidate for under-eye filler?

Accepted Answer

The best candidates have a visible hollow or groove under the eye, thicker skin with no visible veins, minimal puffiness, and good midface volume. If you have puffy eye bags, very thin skin, dark pigmentation (not shadow), or crepey under-eye skin, filler may make things worse. Many patients actually need cheek or midface filler first. Our [under-eye filler guide](/blog/under-eye-filler-tear-trough-guide) covers candidacy in detail.

Question 11

How long does under-eye filler last?

Accepted Answer

Tear trough filler typically lasts 9–18 months, often longer than filler in other facial areas because the under-eye doesn't move much. This is a double-edged sword — good results last a long time, but so do bad ones. Starting conservatively with a small amount is important. Hyaluronic acid filler can be dissolved with hyaluronidase if needed.

Question 12

What medications should I disclose before filler treatment?

Accepted Answer

Disclose everything: prescription blood thinners (warfarin, Eliquis, Xarelto, Plavix), NSAIDs and aspirin (ibuprofen, naproxen), supplements with antiplatelet effects (fish oil, vitamin E, garlic, ginkgo, St. John's Wort), any immunosuppressants, and retinoids. Also disclose any history of oral or facial herpes (cold sores)—lip filler can trigger outbreaks, and your provider should prescribe prophylactic antivirals before perioral treatment. See our complete disclosure guide in [what to tell your injector before filler](/blog/filler-consultation-what-to-tell-injector).

Question 13

How soon before a filler appointment should I stop taking NSAIDs?

Accepted Answer

Most providers ask patients to avoid NSAIDs, aspirin, and blood-thinning supplements for 7-10 days before treatment to reduce bruising risk. Do not stop prescribed blood thinners (Eliquis, warfarin, etc.) without explicit guidance from your cardiologist or primary care physician—the benefits of anticoagulation therapy outweigh aesthetic bruising concerns.

Question 14

Why does dental work before filler matter?

Accepted Answer

Dental procedures introduce bacteria into the bloodstream transiently. This bacterial circulation can create infection risk around filler material, particularly for lip and perioral injections. Most providers recommend waiting at least two weeks after any dental work before filler treatment in those areas.

Question 15

What is vascular occlusion and how serious is it?

Accepted Answer

Vascular occlusion is a rare but serious filler complication that occurs when filler material enters or compresses a blood vessel, blocking blood flow to tissue downstream. If untreated, it can cause skin necrosis (tissue death). In the most severe cases involving vessels connected to the eye's blood supply, it can cause partial or permanent vision loss. Time to treatment is critical — which is why reputable practices keep hyaluronidase (the HA filler antidote) on site at every appointment. It's not common, but it's the complication that defines the standard of care. Read our [full guide to vascular occlusion](/blog/vascular-occlusion-filler) for what a prepared provider should have on hand.

Question 16

What are the warning signs of vascular occlusion I should watch for?

Accepted Answer

Contact your provider immediately or go to an emergency room if you notice: blanching or whitening of the skin near the injection site, severe or disproportionate pain, any visual changes (blurring, double vision, loss of vision), or skin that develops mottled blue or purple discoloration after filler treatment. Do not wait to see if it resolves — vascular occlusion is time-sensitive and outcomes worsen with each hour untreated. Our [vascular occlusion guide](/blog/vascular-occlusion-filler) breaks down each warning sign and what to do.

Question 17

What is a skin booster and is it the same as filler?

Accepted Answer

No — they're related but different. Traditional dermal fillers are formulated to add volume or structural support; they're designed to hold shape in tissue. Skin boosters (like Skinvive, Restylane Skinboosters, Juvederm Volite) are low-viscosity HA formulations designed to improve skin quality — hydration, texture, and glow — without adding structural volume. They're injected differently (micro-droplets across the skin surface rather than deposited in deeper tissue) and they do different things. Choosing between them depends on your goal: volume and structure vs. skin quality improvement. Our [skin boosters vs dermal fillers guide](/blog/skin-boosters-vs-fillers-are-they-the-same) covers the distinction in depth.

Question 18

Can Sculptra or Radiesse be dissolved if I don't like the result?

Accepted Answer

No. Unlike hyaluronic acid fillers, biostimulator products cannot be reversed with hyaluronidase or any equivalent enzyme. Sculptra is absorbed over ~18-24 months; Radiesse over 12-18 months. Complications and unwanted results have to be managed with steroids, saline dilution, extraction, or time — not immediate reversal. This is the single most important difference between biostimulators and HA fillers. Full guide: [Sculptra vs Radiesse](/blog/sculptra-vs-radiesse-difference).

Question 19

Are biostimulator fillers safer than hyaluronic acid fillers?

Accepted Answer

Neither is inherently safer. HA fillers have a critical advantage in reversibility — complications can be corrected quickly with hyaluronidase. Biostimulators have advantages in longer-lasting, more natural-looking volume restoration. Safety depends heavily on injector experience, product selection, and appropriate patient matching. See our [full biostimulator guide](/blog/sculptra-vs-radiesse-difference).

Question 20

Can I get lip filler dissolved if I don't like it?

Accepted Answer

Yes, if it's hyaluronic acid filler (Juvéderm, Restylane, RHA, Belotero, and similar). A hyaluronidase injection dissolves HA filler within hours to days. If the filler was a biostimulator (Sculptra, Radiesse) — which shouldn't be used in lips but occasionally is — there's no equivalent reversal. See our [complications and revision guide](/blog/unhappy-with-botox-results-what-to-do).

Best Dermal Fillers in Los Angeles

All providers

Cosmetic Injectables Center Medspa

Marina Medspa

Sculpt DTLA

Skin Specifics Medical Spa

Wave Plastic Surgery

Frequently asked questions

About Dermal Fillers in Los Angeles

Safety, Research & Clinical Information