Key takeaways
- Dermal fillers restore volume and structure; Botox relaxes muscles. They solve different problems and are often combined.
- Hyaluronic acid fillers are the most widely used because they are temporary and can be dissolved with an enzyme if needed.
- Collagen stimulators such as Radiesse and Sculptra work more gradually and can last longer, but they cannot be dissolved.
- Serious complications are rare, but real. Anatomy knowledge, technique and an emergency plan matter more than the brand of filler.
What are dermal fillers?
Dermal fillers are injectable gels placed under the skin or deeper, close to the bone, to restore volume, support tissue and soften folds. They are one of the most common non-surgical treatments in aesthetic medicine worldwide.
The modern approach has changed. Ten years ago fillers were often used to fill single lines. Today a good injector looks at the whole face: where support has been lost with age, and how a small amount of product in the right place can lift and refresh several areas at once.
Fillers or Botox? Lines that appear when you move, such as frown lines and crow’s feet, respond to Botox. Lines and hollows that stay visible at rest, such as deep nasolabial folds or flat cheeks, usually need volume or support, which is where fillers come in.
Types of filler
| Type | How it works | Typical duration |
|---|---|---|
| Hyaluronic acid (HA) | A gel similar to a sugar found naturally in skin. Adds volume and hydration immediately. Reversible with hyaluronidase. | About 6–18 months, depending on product and area |
| Calcium hydroxylapatite (Radiesse®) | Gives immediate lift and structure, then stimulates your own collagen. | About 12–18 months |
| Poly-L-lactic acid (Sculptra®) | A collagen stimulator. Results build gradually over a course of sessions. | Up to about 2 years after a full course |
| Agarose gel (Algeness®) | A natural polysaccharide gel, used here for the tear trough, that the body absorbs gradually. | Varies; assessed individually |
| Permanent fillers (PMMA, silicone) | Non-absorbable. Any problem may need surgery to correct. | Permanent; not offered at our clinic |
Duration varies with the product, the depth of injection, the area treated and your metabolism. Areas that move a lot, like the lips, tend to need top-ups sooner than the cheeks or chin.
What can fillers treat?
Restoring structure
- Cheeks and mid-face, to replace lost support and soften the fold that runs from nose to mouth.
- Chin and jawline, to improve profile balance and define the lower face, in women and men.
- Temples, where hollowing can make the face look tired.
Refining details
- Lips: hydration, shape and border definition, or more volume when requested.
- Tear trough (under-eye hollows), a delicate area where product choice and technique matter most.
- Marionette lines and the corners of the mouth.
- Body areas, such as the buttocks or hands, with dedicated products.
AT VICTORIA AESTHETICS
Fillers, planned by a doctor
A full-face assessment first, then the right product for each area: hyaluronic acid, Radiesse®, Sculptra® or Algeness® for the tear trough.
Hyaluronic acid from SCR 5,800 · Lips from SCR 5,900 · Tear trough SCR 6,900 · Radiesse® SCR 8,100 per vial · Sculptra® SCR 10,900 per vial
What happens during treatment?
- Consultation. Your medical history, medications, previous fillers and goals. We look at your face at rest and in movement, and from the side.
- Plan and consent. Which areas, which product and how much, with realistic expectations of the result.
- Treatment. Numbing cream is applied where needed; most fillers also contain a local anaesthetic. Injection by needle or blunt cannula takes about 20 to 45 minutes.
- Review. We check the result at about two weeks, when swelling has settled, and decide whether any fine-tuning is needed.
Results and recovery
| Time after treatment | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Same day | Visible change straight away with HA fillers and Radiesse®. Mild swelling, redness or tenderness is normal. |
| Days 1–7 | Swelling settles; lips swell the most. Any small bruise fades within a week. |
| About 2 weeks | The product has integrated and the final result is visible. This is when we review it. |
| Sculptra® course | Results appear gradually over 2–3 months as your own collagen builds, usually after 2 sessions. |
Myths and facts
“Fillers are only for wrinkles.”
Most modern filler work restores structure, in the cheeks, chin, jawline and temples. Softer lines are often a result of that support, not the target itself.
“Fillers are permanent.”
The fillers we use are absorbed gradually by the body. Most last between six months and two years, depending on product and area.
“Fillers always look fake.”
An overfilled look comes from too much product or poor placement. Planned in proportion to your face, fillers should make you look rested, not different.
“Fillers are very painful.”
Numbing cream and the anaesthetic inside most fillers make treatment comfortable for most people. Lips are the most sensitive area.
“Anyone can inject fillers.”
Fillers are a medical procedure. Facial blood vessels vary between people, and an injector must know the anatomy and be able to treat a complication immediately.
“Fillers are only for women.”
More and more men choose fillers, mostly for the chin, jawline and cheeks, using techniques that keep facial features masculine.
Are fillers safe?
Most side effects are mild and short-lived: swelling, tenderness, bruising and, occasionally, small lumps that settle or can be massaged or dissolved.
The most important rare risk is vascular occlusion, when filler blocks a blood vessel. It needs immediate recognition and treatment, which with hyaluronic acid means dissolving the product with high doses of hyaluronidase. Very rarely, it can affect vision. This is why fillers should only be given by a medical professional who knows facial anatomy, works with a careful technique and has an emergency protocol in place.
Fillers are not suitable, or need extra care, if you:
- are pregnant or breastfeeding;
- have an active skin infection, cold sore or inflamed skin in the area;
- have an autoimmune condition, a bleeding disorder or take blood thinners;
- have had a reaction to a filler before, or have permanent filler in the same area;
- have a dental treatment, vaccination or long-haul flight planned within the next two weeks; tell us so we can plan the timing.
Seek medical help straight away if, after treatment, you notice intense or increasing pain, skin that turns pale, blotchy or dusky, or any change in your vision.
Before and after your treatment
- Where your doctor agrees, avoid alcohol and blood-thinning supplements such as fish oil or vitamin E for a few days before, to limit bruising.
- For 24 hours afterwards, avoid make-up on the injection points, strenuous exercise and alcohol.
- For about two weeks, avoid saunas, very hot environments and facial massages, and do not press firmly on the treated areas.
- Sleep on your back for the first nights if possible, and follow any specific instructions for your product.
Frequently asked questions
How long do fillers last?
Most hyaluronic acid fillers last about 6 to 18 months, Radiesse® about 12 to 18 months and a full Sculptra® course up to about two years. Lips usually need top-ups sooner than cheeks or chin.
Can fillers be removed?
Hyaluronic acid fillers can be dissolved with an enzyme called hyaluronidase, usually within hours. Collagen stimulators such as Radiesse® and Sculptra® cannot be dissolved in the same way, which is one reason product choice matters.
Will people notice?
With well-planned treatment, people usually notice that you look fresher or less tired, not that you have had filler.
Can I combine fillers with Botox or skin boosters?
Yes. Botox treats movement lines, fillers restore structure and skin boosters improve skin quality. Combined in one plan, they address the different layers of facial ageing.
How much do fillers cost in Seychelles?
At Victoria Aesthetics, hyaluronic acid treatment starts from SCR 5,800, lips from SCR 5,900, tear trough from SCR 6,900, Radiesse® SCR 8,100 per vial and Sculptra® SCR 10,900 per vial. Your exact plan is confirmed at consultation, which costs SCR 900 and is deductible from your treatment.
References
- Signorini M, Liew S, Sundaram H, et al. Global Aesthetics Consensus: avoidance and management of complications from hyaluronic acid fillers—evidence- and opinion-based review and consensus recommendations. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2016;137(6):961e–971e.
- Beleznay K, Carruthers JDA, Humphrey S, Jones D. Avoiding and treating blindness from fillers: a review of the world literature. Dermatol Surg. 2015;41(10):1097–1117.
- DeLorenzi C. New high dose pulsed hyaluronidase protocol for hyaluronic acid filler vascular adverse events. Aesthet Surg J. 2017;37(7):814–825.
- DeLorenzi C. Complications of injectable fillers, part I. Aesthet Surg J. 2013;33(4):561–575.
- Mendelson B, Wong CH. Changes in the facial skeleton with aging: implications and clinical applications in facial rejuvenation. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2012;36(4):753–760.
