Dermal Fillers (Face)
Key Takeaways
Facial dermal fillers restore volume, smooth wrinkles, and refine facial contours with either immediate or gradual results, depending on the product type used.
Hyaluronic acid fillers provide instant volume and are reversible, while biostimulatory fillers stimulate collagen for longer-lasting structural support.
A detailed consultation, precise injection technique, and conservative dosing help maintain natural-looking, balanced facial results over time.
Downtime after facial fillers is usually minimal, with mild swelling or bruising that typically resolves within a few days.
Mirror Plastic Surgery Med Spa in St. Petersburg offers personalized dermal filler plans with expert injector Stephanie DeSimone; schedule a consultation to explore your options.
Understanding Facial Dermal Fillers
Facial dermal fillers are gel-based injectables placed beneath the skin to restore lost volume, soften lines, and improve facial shape. Fillers work in two main ways: some give immediate volume, while others stimulate collagen for gradual improvement over time.
Modern fillers fall into two primary categories. Hyaluronic acid fillers add instant volume and hydration. Biostimulatory fillers encourage your body to build new collagen, which supports longer-lasting structure and lift.
This versatility allows treatment of many areas, including lips, cheeks, jawline, chin, under-eyes, and folds around the mouth. When a skilled injector places fillers with a conservative approach, results can appear subtle and natural rather than obvious or “overfilled.”*
Personalized, Safety-First Care at Mirror Plastic Surgery
Mirror Plastic Surgery follows a safety-first philosophy for dermal fillers, with function and aesthetics carefully balanced in every treatment plan. Each recommendation considers your health, anatomy, and long-term goals.
Consultations often last up to an hour. This time allows for detailed discussion of your concerns, review of medical history, and a full facial assessment. The goal is a clear, realistic plan that matches your priorities rather than a rushed, one-size-fits-all approach.
The practice maintains a supplier-neutral stance. Fillers are selected from several brands based on what best fits your anatomy and goals, not on limited product contracts. Schedule a consultation with Stephanie to learn which options may suit you.
Meet Stephanie DeSimone: Expert Aesthetic Injector
Stephanie DeSimone, PA-C, is an aesthetic injector with extensive training in full-face rejuvenation. Her background in mathematics and experience as a surgical assistant support a detailed understanding of both surface and deeper facial anatomy.
Her “less is more” approach focuses on restoring balance and structure before adding volume. This method supports smooth transitions between facial regions and reduces the risk of sharp edges or exaggerated features.
Stephanie evaluates the entire face rather than treating one area in isolation. This full-face perspective aims to maintain harmony, so enhancements to one feature complement surrounding structures and continue to look natural as you age.*
Types of Dermal Fillers and How They Work
Hyaluronic Acid Fillers: Flexible, Reversible Volume
Hyaluronic acid fillers account for about 95% of dermal filler treatments and use a substance already present in the body to support biocompatibility. The gel attracts and holds water, which adds volume and improves hydration right away.
These fillers work well for:
Lip definition and volume
Cheek contour and midface support
Chin and jawline refinement
Under-eye hollows (in appropriately selected patients)
Soft contouring of fine lines and folds
Results usually last 6–18 months, with faster breakdown in high-movement areas. Hyaluronic acid fillers can be dissolved with the enzyme hyaluronidase if adjustments are needed, which can be reassuring for patients new to injectables.
Mirror Plastic Surgery offers several hyaluronic acid filler families, including Juvederm, RHA, Versa, and Restylane. Product choice depends on factors like the area treated, skin thickness, and the level of structure or softness desired.
Biostimulatory Fillers: Collagen-Stimulating Support
Biostimulatory injectables stimulate collagen through a controlled inflammatory response, and the collagen your body creates can be long-lasting. Products such as Radiesse and Evolysse provide structure and lift by encouraging your tissues to rebuild support from within.
These fillers typically create visible improvement over 6 or more weeks and can last 12–24 months. They are not easily reversible, so they are best suited for patients who are comfortable with gradual, longer-term change.
Biostimulatory fillers are often used for:
Deep folds such as nasolabial folds and marionette lines
Chin and jawline structure
Hands, neck, décolleté, and other areas with thinning skin
Non-surgical buttock enhancement and nonsurgical BBL with products such as Radiesse and alloClae, which are preferred over hyaluronic acid-based fillers for safety and effectiveness
Who Benefits Most from Facial Dermal Fillers
Good candidates are generally healthy adults with realistic expectations who want to address volume loss, asymmetry, or etched lines without surgery. Fillers can also enhance naturally smaller features, such as a recessed chin or thin lips, when used with a conservative plan.
The consultation at Mirror Plastic Surgery reviews your anatomy, photos, medical history, and goals to determine whether fillers, other treatments, or a combination best fits your needs. Schedule a consultation with Stephanie for a personalized plan.
Your Dermal Filler Visit: From Consultation to Recovery
Comprehensive Facial Assessment and Planning
The filler process begins with a detailed consultation. Stephanie studies facial proportions, skin quality, and movement patterns while you speak and make expressions. This evaluation helps identify where support is needed and where restraint is important.
Treatment options, product choices, expected longevity, and cost are reviewed in clear terms. You have time to ask questions so you can decide whether to proceed, stage treatments, or consider alternative procedures.
Preparing for Treatment Day
Preparation supports smoother procedures and recovery. Before treatment, you may be asked to:
Avoid blood-thinning medications and supplements when medically appropriate
Limit alcohol for a short period
Arrive with clean skin and no makeup on treated areas
Share any history of cold sores, allergies, or previous filler experiences
Scheduling your appointment a few days before major events allows time for normal swelling or bruising to fade.*
What to Expect During Injections
The appointment starts with cleansing the skin and, when appropriate, applying topical numbing or using products that contain lidocaine for comfort. Stephanie uses precise injection techniques, placing small amounts of filler and frequently reassessing symmetry and contour.
Treatment can take 15–45 minutes, depending on how many areas are addressed. The goal is to use the least amount of product needed for visible yet natural improvement, rather than chasing maximum volume in a single session.*
Recovery and Aftercare
After your dermal filler treatment, mild redness, swelling, tenderness, or bruising can occur around injection sites. These effects usually improve within a few days to a week.
To support healing, patients are commonly advised to:
Avoid rubbing or massaging treated areas unless specifically instructed
Skip strenuous exercise for the first 24 hours
Limit exposure to extreme heat or cold shortly after treatment
Hyaluronic acid fillers provide immediate visible change, though final results appear once swelling settles. Biostimulatory fillers create more gradual improvement as collagen develops over several weeks.*
Natural-Looking Rejuvenation and Long-Term Planning*
Well-placed fillers can soften folds, gently lift features, and restore youthful contours without changing the core character of your face. Many patients notice that they look more rested or refreshed, rather than obviously “filled.”*
Longevity varies by product type, area treated, and individual metabolism. Maintenance visits are usually scheduled every 6–18 months for hyaluronic acid fillers and less often for biostimulatory fillers. Periodic reassessment allows adjustments as your face and preferences change over time.*
How Expert Technique Helps Avoid an “Overdone” Look
Unnatural filler results often stem from excess product, poor placement, or a narrow focus on a single feature. These issues can create puffiness, imbalance, or distorted proportions.
Mirror Plastic Surgery minimizes these risks by emphasizing anatomy, conservative dosing, and full-face planning. Stephanie designs treatments to restore support where it has been lost and to refine contours gradually, rather than chasing trends or extreme changes.
A product-neutral approach also means the chosen filler is selected because it fits the tissue and goal, not because of brand quotas. This supports consistent, high-quality outcomes tailored to your specific features.*
Cost of Dermal Fillers and Value Over Time
Pricing for facial fillers depends on the areas treated, the type of product used, and the amount required to achieve your goals. Some patients benefit from a single-area refresh, while others choose a staged, full-face plan.
Mirror Plastic Surgery provides transparent pricing before treatment begins. The focus on appropriate product choice and careful technique can support longer-lasting results and fewer unnecessary touch-ups, which may improve value over time.
Schedule a consultation with Stephanie to receive a personalized estimate based on your anatomy and objectives.
Dermal Filler FAQs
How long do dermal fillers for the face last?
Longevity depends on product type, treatment area, and your metabolism. Hyaluronic acid fillers often last 6–18 months, with quicker breakdown in areas that move a lot, such as around the mouth. Biostimulatory fillers can support improvement for 12–24 months or longer because they rely on your own collagen for structure. Touch-ups are typically more frequent with hyaluronic acid fillers and less frequent with collagen-stimulating options.*
Are facial dermal fillers reversible?
Hyaluronic acid fillers can be adjusted or dissolved using hyaluronidase, an enzyme that breaks down the product over days to about two weeks. This option can be helpful if you prefer less volume or if a complication needs attention. Biostimulatory fillers are not easily reversible because they trigger your body to create its own collagen, so careful planning with an experienced injector is important before treatment.
What is the difference between hyaluronic acid and biostimulatory fillers?
Hyaluronic acid fillers add gel-based volume for immediate plumping and contouring. Biostimulatory fillers place particles that prompt your body to build collagen over time, so results develop more slowly but can last longer. Hyaluronic acid is often chosen for flexible shaping and first-time treatments, while biostimulatory products are frequently used for deeper support and structural areas such as folds, chin, and jawline.*
Will facial fillers make my face look fake or overdone?
Natural results depend on injector skill, product selection, and treatment planning. At Mirror Plastic Surgery, Stephanie uses a conservative, full-face approach that emphasizes balance and proportion rather than maximum volume. The aim is for others to notice that you look refreshed, not to identify a specific procedure.
What is recovery like after getting dermal fillers?
Most patients return to normal daily activities right after treatment. Mild swelling, redness, or bruising can appear and usually improves within a few days to a week. Avoiding strenuous exercise, heat exposure, and pressure on treated areas immediately after injections helps support smooth, even results.*
Book Your Dermal Filler Consultation in St. Petersburg
Dermal fillers can support natural-looking facial rejuvenation when planned carefully and placed precisely. Mirror Plastic Surgery in St. Petersburg offers individualized treatment plans that prioritize safety, facial harmony, and realistic, sustainable results.*
Contact Mirror Plastic Surgery to meet with Stephanie DeSimone, PA-C, and discuss whether facial dermal fillers match your goals. The practice serves the greater Tampa Bay area with attentive, concierge-level care. Schedule your dermal filler consultation to get started.
Address: 780 4th Ave S, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Phone: 727-361-6515
Email: hello@mirrorplasticsurgery.com
*Disclaimer: Results may vary from person to person. Editorial content, before and after images, and patient testimonials do not constitute a guarantee of specific results.