Facial fillers, also known as dermal fillers, are injectable gels used to replace volume lost with age and to redefine the contours of the face, in areas such as the cheeks, temples, chin and around the mouth. The aim is not to fill each line one by one, but to rebuild the face’s support structure so you look more rested.

The face ages in every layer at once. Bone support decreases, the fat pads in the cheeks thin out and slide down, and the skin loses collagen and moisture. Together, these changes blur the face’s youthful oval shape: the cheekbones flatten, the temples hollow, the corners of the mouth turn down and the face can look tired or sad.

Two types of dermal filler are used most often:

• Hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers: They attract moisture and can be dissolved with an enzyme if needed.
• Calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) fillers: Placed over bone, they provide structural support and also stimulate the skin’s own collagen production.

Facial fillers are a core part of Dr. Sevgi Ekiyor’s Facial Architecture (Yüz Mimarisi®) approach, in which the amount and placement of filler are decided by analyzing your facial proportions and the direction in which your face is aging.

Fillers can be used in one or several areas, depending on what your face needs:

• Cheeks (mid-face): Lifting the mid-face gives a fresher, more youthful look and indirectly softens the lines beside the nose, which is why the cheeks are often the starting point.
• Temples: Hollow temples can make the face look tired and bony. Restoring the transition between temple and cheekbone balances the upper face. See temple filler.
• Nasolabial folds: Deep lines running from the nose to the corners of the mouth can be softened.
• Marionette lines: Volume loss in the lines from the mouth corners down to the chin, which can give a sad expression, is corrected.
• Chin and jawline: The lower face is defined and the profile balanced. See chin and jawline filler.
• Nose: Small irregularities, such as a bump on the bridge or a drooping tip, can be corrected without surgery.

Under-eye hollows are treated separately with under-eye filler. Which areas to treat is decided after your facial analysis.

Your face is first assessed from the front, the side and in motion, noting volume loss, proportions and differences between the two sides.

1. The areas are cleansed and a numbing cream is applied for 15–20 minutes; ice may also be used.
2. Injection points are marked. For a lifting effect, support points such as the cheekbones and temples are treated first.
3. The filler is placed at the right depth with a very fine needle or a blunt-tipped cannula, depending on the area. At support points, it is usually placed on the bone.
4. The area is checked so the product sits evenly, and symmetry is assessed.

Treatment takes 20–45 minutes. The change is visible immediately, and the final result appears in about two weeks once swelling settles. Small refinements can be made at the follow-up visit during this period.

When several areas are treated together in one plan, the approach is called a liquid facelift.

Performed with licensed products by a doctor who knows facial anatomy well, facial fillers are considered safe. Side effects are mostly mild and temporary:

• Swelling and bruising: These usually fade within a few days.
• Tenderness: The area may feel sensitive to touch for a few days.
• Unevenness or asymmetry: Small differences noticed once swelling settles can be corrected at the follow-up.
• Lumps (nodules): Rarely, filler does not spread evenly; this can be massaged out or, with HA fillers, corrected with filler dissolving.
• Blocked blood vessel: Rare but serious. Anatomical knowledge, using a cannula where appropriate and being ready to act at once greatly reduce this risk.

The overfilled look people worry about usually comes from too much product or ignoring facial proportions; a measured plan based on the whole face helps prevent it.

For the first 24 hours, avoid pressing or massaging the treated areas, strenuous exercise and alcohol. Avoid saunas, steam rooms and very hot environments for two weeks, and try to sleep on your back for the first few nights.

How long fillers last depends on the product and the area. Hyaluronic acid fillers usually last around 12–15 months. Calcium hydroxylapatite fillers placed over bone may last up to 20–24 months. For a collagen-stimulating option, see HarmonyCA filler.

Smoking, strong sun, frequent sauna use, rapid weight change and intense exercise may make filler break down faster. Small top-ups help maintain the result with less product. Even after HA filler has gone, some improvement in skin quality may remain thanks to the collagen it stimulated.