5 Questions to Ask Before Your Filler Appointment
Right before you sign up for your filler treatment, you’ll feel knots tied up in your stomach. But that’s okay.
You shouldn’t let anxiety interrupt your journey to a flawless future. You can do this. And we’ve got your back.
In this post, we’ll have a quick overview of dermal filler treatments and outline a few essential questions that you must ask before your filler appointment. This will help you approach the big day with an informed and relaxed mind.
Let’s begin!
What are dermal fillers?
Before we discuss the questions, it’s a good idea to quickly review what dermal fillers are and how they can help you.
By definition, dermal fillers refer to the soft, gel-like substances that are injected under the skin by medical professionals. It is a cosmetic treatment to enhance facial features.
It can help you:
- Get rid of face wrinkles & creases
- Give volume to thin lips
- Improve shallow contours & tackle contour deformities
- Get rid of scars and unwanted shadows of lower lids
There are DIY dermal filler treatments too. But they are neither safe nor long-lasting. You can read more about the risk factors of DIY filler treatments here.
5 Questions to Ask Before Your Filler Appointment
Now that we have clarity on the subject and you’re sure you’re making the right decision, let’s prepare for the appointment.
Your dermatological consultant is the most reliable source for information about safe and effective filler treatment. But sometimes, they might assume you already know the basics. And it’d be too late by the time they realize you don’t.
So to avoid any mishaps, it’s best to communicate with your doctor before your treatment and clear away your doubts. Here are 5 essential questions that will help you find out everything you need to know before your filler appointment.
#1. Which type of dermal filler will suit me the best?
Currently, there are five types of commonly-used dermal fillers. These include:
- Hyaluronic acid
- Calcium hydroxylapatite
- Polyalkylimide
- Polylactic acid
- Polymethyl-methacrylate microspheres
They differ from one another in terms of chemical composition, softness, side effects, and longevity. The ideal dermal filler for you depends on your medical history and your desired results. So make sure to discuss this with your doctor in depth.
#2. What’s the cost of a filler treatment?
Your first consultation with a dermatologist and exposure to the world of fillers might leave you all dreamy. But fillers are not exactly cheap, which is useful to bear in mind.
On average, dermal filler treatments cost anywhere between $500 and $4000, depending on:
- The type of filler
- Brand
- Area filled
- Amount filled
- Longevity
- Qualifications of your injector
You might make the mistake of estimating filler cost based on only the first five factors. For example, the standard chin filler cost is about $620. We got to know this from a basic Google search.
But this approach wouldn’t give you any solid grounds to set up a realistic budget. That’s because it’s the qualifications of your injector that happen to be the most influential factor behind filler cost.
So it’s best to inquire and get accurate cost estimates directly from the dermatologist you’ve chosen.
#3. How much time will I have to commit to the procedure?
A filler treatment usually takes as little as 15 minutes to perform. If things are a bit complicated and your injector has to be extra cautious with your skin (or, if there are multiple shots), it may take about 1-1.5 hours.
However, you might have to visit your doctor several times before and after your treatment. And in case of any side effects or complications, the count of these visits may increase.
All of this will disrupt your normal routine and you might have to take a small break from work. If you can’t afford to take a break from work, make sure to ask your doctor about the maximum time that the treatment will take. This will help you choose an appropriate time and date for your appointment.
If you can’t make the time for a filler treatment, you might want to read about some alternative treatments here.
#4. Do fillers have side effects?
Filler treatments are generally well-tolerated. Rarely, patients can develop skin swelling, gel dislocation, and infection.
The risk of getting side effects from filler treatment depends on your medical history, sensitivity, and routine. Make sure you discuss this thoroughly with your doctor.
#5. What does the recovery period look like?
There’s no recovery period for filler treatment. You can resume your daily activities immediately after coming back from your appointment.
However, your doctor might advise you to rest for 24-48 hours and avoid heavy physical activity post-treatment for the best results. It’s also a good idea to avoid direct sunlight after treatment.
Again, this is standard information. If your consultant is using a particular product or brand, it may work differently. It’s best to clear it out before the procedure.
A glimpse of a Filler Appointment
Before we sign off, let us give you a quick glimpse of a regular filler appointment.
Once you’re at the doctor’s office, your medical consultant will disinfect the area where they have to inject the filler. They will then inject a local anesthetic to minimize the pain. Keep in mind that this anesthetic will not completely eliminate the pain and you might feel some of it during the procedure.
Following this, they’ll inject the filler at marked sites, which will take a few minutes. Your provider may offer you an ice pack after this to help with the pain. Good luck!
