Injectable Fillers & Biostimulators
HA Dermal Fillers
Also known as: Juvederm, Restylane, Belotero, Teoxane
Pain Level
Mild
Downtime
Varies significantly by area: cheeks/chin/temples typically 1-2 days of mild swelling; lips and under-eye/tear trough areas swell and bruise more and can take 3-5+ days to settle; any area can have longer bruising in people prone to it.
Sessions
Usually single-session correction with review/touch-up if needed
Cost Range (AED)
Moxie's cost: about AED 2,500 per 1 ml Juvederm. Varies by syringe count, product and area.
Results Timeline
Immediate structure, with swelling settling over days to weeks
Moxie Notes
From Moxie
I used Juvederm only, and I kept everything extremely conservative: lips 0.3ml, chin about 0.6ml (not a full 1ml), temples 1ml, and a trace amount under the eyes (0.1-0.2ml) using leftover product. Cheek support was not a separate purchase - it came from leftover product from the chin syringe.
The best result for me was chin filler because it gave my face more shape without looking obvious. Nothing migrated and I never felt overfilled, but that is because I was strict about not going crazy.
The problem is that it did not last well on me; six to twelve months later, my dermatologist said most of it had metabolized. I do not plan to keep doing fillers, except maybe temples if I ever really need it, because I think there are other treatments that support skin without leaving filler in the face.
Start Here
First, try this if
- Clear structural volume loss or facial imbalance. - People wanting conservative, subtle correction. - Patients willing to do staged treatment instead of overfilling in one sitting. - Fitzpatrick III-VI skin tones, provided injector understands bruising and PIH risk from trauma.
Don't expect
Results build gradually, not overnight — realistic timeline is Immediate structure, with swelling settling over days to weeks.
See a dermatologist first if
- Vascular occlusion is the most serious filler risk: sudden severe pain, skin blanching or a dusky/mottled color change at or near the injection site is a medical emergency — go to a clinic or ER immediately, don't wait it out. - People wanting dramatic instant transformation. - Anyone with active infection or inflammation at the injection site. - High-risk vascular areas (lips, tear troughs, nose, glabella) unless the injector is highly experienced — these areas carry materially higher vascular risk than cheeks or chin. - People who cannot tolerate the possibility of swelling, bruising, dissolving, or correction.
What It Is
Hyaluronic acid fillers are injectable gels used to replace or adjust volume. They can be placed in lips, chin, cheeks, temples, tear troughs and other facial areas depending on product type and injector skill.
HA is different from collagen biostimulators because it physically occupies space; it does not rely mainly on the body building new collagen. It can be useful when volume loss or facial balance is the issue, but it is also one of the easiest treatments to overdo.
Moxie covers fillers because they helped her in small amounts, but her current view is much more cautious than promotional.
How It Works
HA is a water-binding molecule. In filler form, it is cross-linked into a gel so it can hold shape and structure after injection. Softer gels are typically used in mobile or delicate areas, while firmer gels can provide structural support in areas such as the chin or cheeks.
The mechanism is mechanical rather than regenerative: the gel adds contour, fills hollowing, or supports tissue. Some products can be dissolved with hyaluronidase, but that does not make filler casual. Vascular occlusion, contour problems, puffiness and overfilling remain real risks.
The Evidence
Concerns Addressed
Facial Volume Loss: HA fillers may help restore selected areas of volume loss, especially temples, chin or cheeks, when placed conservatively. Dark Circles / Tear Trough Hollowing: Small amounts may improve shadowing caused by hollowing, but this area is high-risk for puffiness and long-term heaviness. Fine Lines & Facial Balance: Fillers may soften folds by supporting nearby structure. They do not improve skin quality the way resurfacing or collagen-focused treatments may.
Evidence grade: Strong for approved uses of dermal fillers, but outcomes depend heavily on anatomy, product selection and injection technique. The FDA describes dermal fillers as medical devices and highlights rare but serious risks, including unintentional injection into blood vessels, tissue injury, vision problems and stroke. The evidence supports HA fillers for volume and contour correction, not as a blanket solution for every sign of ageing. Under-eye use and repeated long-term stacking deserve particular caution.
Multiple randomized, double-blind, split-face/controlled trials (48-64 week follow-up) support HA filler efficacy for nasolabial folds and midface augmentation, using validated scales (WSRS, GAIS). Long-term multicenter RCTs confirm safety and durability of results out to 1 year.
View source →Reviewed by Moxie — last checked July 2026
Am I a Good Candidate?
- Clear structural volume loss or facial imbalance. - People wanting conservative, subtle correction. - Patients willing to do staged treatment instead of overfilling in one sitting. - Fitzpatrick III-VI skin tones, provided injector understands bruising and PIH risk from trauma.
Caution or Avoid
- Vascular occlusion is the most serious filler risk: sudden severe pain, skin blanching or a dusky/mottled color change at or near the injection site is a medical emergency — go to a clinic or ER immediately, don't wait it out. - People wanting dramatic instant transformation. - Anyone with active infection or inflammation at the injection site. - High-risk vascular areas (lips, tear troughs, nose, glabella) unless the injector is highly experienced — these areas carry materially higher vascular risk than cheeks or chin. - People who cannot tolerate the possibility of swelling, bruising, dissolving, or correction.
What to Expect
Step 1 - Consultation: The injector assesses face shape, volume loss, expressions, previous filler and surgical plans. Step 2 - Numbing: Topical numbing or lidocaine-containing filler may be used. Lips and under-eyes can be more sensitive. Step 3 - The procedure: Filler is injected with needle or cannula.
Conservative placement and small amounts are safer than chasing instant change. Step 4 - Immediately after: Swelling, bruising and asymmetry from swelling can happen. Avoid massage unless instructed, heavy exercise, heat and dental work for the period advised.
Step 5 - Timeline and maintenance: Results are visible immediately but settle over 1-2 weeks. Longevity varies by product, area and metabolism.
Cost Breakdown
Personal cost recorded: about AED 2,500 per 1 ml Juvederm. Volumes used: lips 0.3ml, chin about 0.6ml, temples 1ml, under-eye a trace amount (0.1-0.2ml) using leftover product; cheek support came from leftover chin-syringe product, not a separate purchase. Per session: depends on number of syringes, product and area. Full course: not a fixed course; best approached in staged, conservative reviews. Maintenance: highly variable. Moxie's filler largely metabolized within 6-12 months, according to her dermatologist. Figures are market estimates, not quotes.
Concerns Addressed
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do HA dermal fillers last?
It varies by product, area and metabolism — in Moxie's case, her dermatologist found most of her filler had metabolized within 6-12 months.
Can dermal fillers be dissolved if I don't like the result?
Most HA fillers can be dissolved with hyaluronidase, which is one reason HA is considered more adjustable than biostimulators like Sculptra — but dissolving is a correction step, not a reason to treat filler casually.
Are dermal fillers risky?
The FDA classifies dermal fillers as medical devices and notes rare but serious risks, including unintentional injection into blood vessels, tissue injury, vision problems and stroke — risk depends heavily on anatomy, product choice and injector technique.
The Verdict
Approach With Caution
Useful, but very easy to overdo.
Moxie Ratings
Not medical advice. Content is based on personal experience and published research. Always consult a qualified dermatologist before starting any new treatment or regimen.
See something wrong on this page? Report it — we review every correction request.