Filler – My Experience

Trying to decide if filler vs botox is for you? Let’s take a deep dive into the world of filler, talk about my experience getting it, and why it makes a great addition to getting botox.

I began getting fillers a around 39 years old. I did it to help with my under-eye bags.

I’m genetically predisposed to dark under eyes. Add three kids born in three years, a few sleep disorders and you have a recipe for circles that no concealer can match!

When I first started using filler it was injected into my cheekbone only. The goal was to give my cheek a lift to help push up the circles to diminish the hollow look. It worked fine and I liked how my face plumped out like it did in its youth.

I am almost 44 years old now and time is catching up with me.

I loved the effect of the cheek filler. I couldn’t be have been more pleased!

Think of filler vs Botox as makeup – filler helps like contouring does.

Lights and shadows create a three-dimensional look. We do it with makeup every day much like artists with paint brushes. We highlight areas we want to stand out, and shade what we want to have dimension and a separation.

Filler helps push out areas, like a highlighter. You can have defined cheekbones, fuller lips, push out your jawline to give it a chiseled experience.

Juvaderm Voluma was used in my cheekbone area. This is a lot of people’s go to filler because it’s made by the same company who makes Botox, Allergan.

When you buy any Allergan product you accumulate points to cash in towards coupons or free Botox. So, a lot of people choose it for this reason – plus, it works.

However, my doctor felt like the Restalyn Defyne would suit my eye trough area best so she used that in combination with the Voluma.

I get Allergan points when I get Botox and love seeing them rack out so I can get savings in the future. So adding in the Restyln Defense then I wouldn’t get a many points.

We discussed that this, after all, MY FACE, so points shmoints, let’s do it right.

Much like Botox, filler injections aren’t painful. However, the needle does feel larger and a bit thicker going into the skin. It also has a weird sound where you can hear the filler being injected. Almost like a squirting sound. I admit, this part is strange. But I deal in the name of beauty!

If you’re sensitive to pain, you will find filler more intense than a Botox injection. But it’s not bad at all, for me.

Be absolutely positive you have someone who has major experience with this. Ask for photos of past patients, interview them about their training and ongoing training. Go with your gut.

After the filler is injected you’ll ice a well for the day.

It will feel hard and almost angular in your skin for several days. It will progressively soften so it eventually feels like yummy, mushy youthful skin. So, don’t panic if at first it looks like noticeable bumps!

I did bruise a little bit but it was easily covered by makeup and was gone within five days. My husband didn’t notice even without my wearing makeup.

Fillers last around a year. It is much more expensive but lasts longer.

If you live in the Atlanta area, I highly recommend going to see Dr. Kavali. She’s a woman who is actually one of the main trainers for Allergan and trains people across the country in how to adminster Botox and filler.

She (and her entire team) are excellent. Note, always see a Board Certified administor. This is your face, don’t cut corners!

Contact Dr. Carmen Kavali

I love the effect of cheek filler in my cheek and jawline. Be prepared for the filler to be unevenly placed. A good doctor will know just how much to place and where, for an even area.

Typically we all get more sun on the left side of our face, so that loses volume quicker. So I typically need more filler on the left side of my face.

The jawline is amazing because it will life the skin and pull it taught to give you a pretty, more defined profile.

You won’t like this statement, but, it depends. The average is between 12-18 months. Some people’s bodies absorb it faster than others.

The good news is that you likely won’t need a ton of filler in that area every year. You usually just need “a topping off.”

I get new filler around the 14-15 months mark.

It’s 100% part of my beauty maintenance and worth all of the money. I can’t say enough for it!