Dermal fillers such as JUVÉDERM® are very popular at our Natick, MA, practice due to their versatility and effectiveness. At Essential Dermatology’s medical spa, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Michael Krathen uses dermal fillers to address signs of aging and for lip injections to give patients from Wellesley, Weston, Wayland, Framingham, Needham, and other nearby cities instant results with minimal downtime. These versatile treatments can restore the smooth, full skin associated with youth, replace lost volume on the cheeks and around the eyes, sculpt the lips, and more.

How Do Dermal Fillers Work?

Dermal fillers add volume just below the skin to enhance your contours or replace volume that may have been lost to aging. Many fillers are formulated with hyaluronic acid (HA), a naturally occurring sugar that attracts and holds water molecules beneath the skin. Others stimulate new collagen production for long-lasting rejuvenation. These minimally invasive treatments require less downtime than traditional plastic surgery and achieve immediate results.

Which Dermal Fillers Do You Offer?

At Essential Dermatology, we offer hyaluronic acid fillers from the JUVÉDERM® family of products such as:

  • JUVÉDERM VOLUMA® XC: This HA filler is ideal for cheek augmentation as it most closely mimics bone structure and creates a fuller, more lifted look.
  • JUVÉDERM® Ultra & JUVÉDERM® Ultra Plus XC: These HA fillers are often used for lip augmentation and to smooth out lines and folds such as nasolabial folds.

Sculptra Aesthetic® is an injectable product similar to a dermal filler called a collagen stimulator. It is made of poly-L-lactic acid and stimulates the body’s own collagen production over time. Results develop gradually, but last 2 years or longer.

What Do Dermal Fillers Treat?

Dermal filler treatment areas include:

  • Midface and under-eye volume loss
  • Sagging or flat cheeks
  • Thin, asymmetrical, or wrinkled lips
  • Sunken temples
  • Receding, weak, or undefined chin
  • Deep lines or folds, such as nasolabial folds
  • Aged hands
  • Acne scars

Are Fillers and BOTOX® the Same Thing?

Fillers and BOTOX Cosmetic are both injectable treatments used for facial rejuvenation; however, they have different purposes and work in different ways.

  • Fillers add volume beneath the surface of the skin whether it’s to smooth away folds and wrinkles or add/replace volume around the eyes, on the cheeks, or in the lips.
  • BOTOX injections treat crow’s feet, forehead lines, frown lines, and other wrinkles caused by facial muscle contractions (dynamic wrinkles).

Dr. Krathen often combines these treatments to provide a more complete rejuvenation than is possible with one or the other. He will recommend a personalized treatment plan for you after assessing your concerns at a one-on-one cosmetic consultation.

What to Expect During Your Dermal Filler Treatment

Dermal filler treatments take approximately 30 to 45 minutes in total. The treatment consists of a brief series of injections, the number of which depends on the treatment area and your goals. Dr. Krathen will make the injections at pre-determined and specific points based on his assessment.

Do Dermal Fillers Hurt?

Fillers are formulated with lidocaine, a numbing agent designed to enhance your comfort, but Dr. Krathen may also use a topical anesthetic to keep you comfortable throughout.

What Is Dermal Filler Recovery Like?

Dermal fillers require little to no downtime. In most cases, you can return to your usual routine right away. You may notice some swelling or bruising in the injected area, but this typically subsides within about a week. You may gently apply ice and take acetaminophen to help with any swelling or discomfort.

How Long Do Dermal Filler Results Last?

Each dermal filler varies slightly and comes with a different timeframe for the length of results. Generally, most dermal fillers last between 6 and 24 months. Maintenance treatments will extend your results.

Schedule a Consultation

If you are looking for a minimally invasive option to rejuvenate your skin, talk to Dr. Krathen about your dermal filler options. To get started, call our office at (508) 827-2615  or request a consultation by filling out our online form. To book an appointment, schedule your visit as a new patient using our online scheduler or as an existing patient using the Mass General Brigham Patient Gateway. People visit Dr. Krathen for dermal filler treatments from Wellesley, Weston, Framingham, and other surrounding cities.

Meet Dr. Michael Krathen

Dr. Michael Krathen is a board-certified dermatologist with more than a decade of medical training and experience. A specialist in both medical and cosmetic dermatology, he uses expertise, collaboration, and compassion to help people of all ages discover their healthiest and most radiant skin.

Meet Dr. Krathen

Credentials You Can Trust

American Academy of Dermatology
American Society for Dermatologic Surgery
New England Dermatological Society
Alpha Omega Alpha
Massachusetts Academy of Dermatology
Dr. Michael Krathen