Dermal Filler Face Lifting

What is dermal filler face lifting?

Facial ageing is not only a matter of skin laxity. Fat compartments shrink, the bone structure of the midface and jaw slowly resorbs, and the ligaments that hold the soft tissue in place lengthen. The result is a face that looks flatter in the upper third and heavier in the lower third — hollow temples, a lost cheekbone edge, deepening nasolabial folds and a jawline that has lost its definition.

Dermal filler face lifting addresses that loss of structure directly. Instead of treating each line separately, filler is placed in small quantities at the deep support points of the face. When volume returns to those anchors, the tissue above them is supported again and the surface folds soften as a consequence. This is why the technique is often described as a lifting effect, although no tissue is cut, pulled or removed.

At Zen Polyclinic the treatment begins with an assessment of facial proportions, not with a list of areas to fill. The plan follows where the support has actually been lost.

Which materials are used?

Hyaluronic acid. The most widely used filler group. Hyaluronic acid is a molecule the human body already produces, present in skin, connective tissue and joint fluid. Because it binds water, it adds volume and improves hydration in the treated area at the same time. Its most practical advantage is reversibility: if the result needs to be adjusted, hyaluronic acid can be dissolved with an enzyme called hyaluronidase. Products differ in density — firmer gels are used deep against bone for structural support, softer ones closer to the surface for fine lines.

Calcium hydroxylapatite. A denser material composed of microspheres suspended in a gel carrier. It provides immediate volume and, over time, stimulates the tissue’s own collagen response. It is used for deeper structural areas rather than delicate regions such as the lips.

Poly-L-lactic acid. This works differently from the others. It does not fill in the usual sense; it acts as a stimulator, gradually prompting collagen formation over several months. The change is slow and typically requires a series of sessions.

The choice of material is a clinical decision that depends on the region, the tissue thickness and the depth of the plane being treated. Different products may be combined within the same treatment plan.

Which areas are treated?

Face lifting with filler usually involves several regions treated in relation to one another rather than a single spot:

• Cheekbones and midface — the primary support area; restoring projection here lifts the tissue below it.
• Temples — hollowing narrows the upper face and makes the eye area look tired.
• Jawline and chin — definition of the lower border, which frames the whole face.
• Nasolabial and marionette folds — often softened indirectly once midface support is restored.
• Tear trough area — a technically demanding region requiring soft product and conservative volumes.

Related treatments such as lip filler and chin filler may be planned separately or as part of the same overall assessment.

How does a session proceed?

Consultation and planning. Facial proportions, skin thickness, medical history, medication use and previous injectable treatments are reviewed. The areas to be treated and the amount of product are decided at this stage.

Preparation. The skin is cleansed and disinfected. A topical anaesthetic cream is applied; most hyaluronic acid products also contain a local anaesthetic within the gel.

Injection. The product is placed with a fine needle or a blunt-tipped cannula, depending on the region. Cannulas are often preferred in areas with dense vascular anatomy. Injection is carried out in small increments, with the result assessed as work progresses.

Afterwards. The area is gently moulded and cooled. A session typically takes 30 to 45 minutes and most people return to daily activities the same day.

Who is not a suitable candidate?

Dermal filler is a low-risk procedure in appropriate candidates, but it is not suitable for everyone:

• Pregnancy and breastfeeding
• Active infection, inflammation or open skin lesions in the treatment area
• Known hypersensitivity to the product’s components
• Uncontrolled autoimmune or connective tissue disease
• Bleeding disorders or anticoagulant use that has not been evaluated beforehand
• Recent dental procedures or planned vaccinations — timing should be discussed

What to expect afterwards

Volume is visible immediately, but the first days are not representative of the final result. Swelling, mild redness and occasional bruising at injection points are common and usually settle within three to seven days. The product also draws water and settles into the tissue during this period, so the shape continues to refine.

The result is generally considered settled at around two weeks, which is when any review appointment is normally scheduled. Duration depends on the material, the region and individual metabolism; areas with more movement break the product down faster. Hyaluronic acid results commonly last several months to a little over a year before gradually diminishing.

For the first 24 to 48 hours it is advisable to avoid intense exercise, saunas, hot baths, alcohol and pressure or massage on the treated area.

Use alongside other treatments

Filler restores volume; it does not reduce muscle-driven movement or improve skin quality on its own. For this reason it is frequently combined with other approaches. Botox procedures address dynamic lines in the upper face, while skin-focused treatments such as dermapen work on texture and surface quality. A broader plan may also include a non-surgical face lift approach combining several methods.

When treatments are combined, the order and interval between them matters. Injectable procedures in the same area are normally spaced apart, and energy-based devices are usually not applied over recently placed filler.

Frequently asked questions