What are dermal fillers?
A dermal filler is an injectable gel that sits beneath the skin. It can replace volume that has been lost, smooth out creases or refine the shape of a facial feature. The US Food and Drug Administration classes these gels as medical devices and lists the nasolabial folds, cheeks, chin and lips among the areas where they create a smoother or fuller look.
On the face, the material used most often today is hyaluronic acid (HA). The skin makes this substance itself and relies on it to bind water. HA gels do not last forever: the body absorbs them over time, and if necessary they can also be dissolved. There are other filler materials as well, such as calcium hydroxylapatite and poly-L-lactic acid; they act in different ways and their duration differs too.
Which areas can be treated with fillers?
In older patients fillers usually replace volume that age has taken away; in younger ones they are more often used to refine a feature. Every area below has a separate page with details:
| Area | What is usually wanted | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Lips | Fullness, a better shape, more even sides, a crisper border | Lip fillers |
| Jaw and chin | A cleaner jaw line and a chin that projects more | Jawline & chin fillers |
| Lines above the upper lip | Softer fine vertical "smoker's lines" | Lip lines filler |
| Cheeks | Volume and support restored to the midface | Cheek fillers |
| Under-eye area | A less hollow tear trough | Under-eye fillers |
| Nose-to-mouth folds | Shallower nasolabial folds | Nasolabial fold fillers |
Who is a good candidate for dermal fillers?
Fillers suit healthy adults who want a moderate change that still looks like them and who accept that it will not be permanent. They cannot replace surgery where the skin has become very lax; in that situation a surgical approach such as a midface lift may be the more honest suggestion.
| Generally a good fit | Wait, or talk it through first |
|---|---|
| Hollowing in the cheeks, lips or under the eyes | Being pregnant or breastfeeding |
| Lips that are thin or uneven | An infection, acne flare or cold sore in the area |
| A poorly defined jaw or a small chin | Past severe allergies or reactions to filler |
| Moderate folds and fine lines | Hoping for a permanent or surgery-like change |
| Accepting that the result is gradual and temporary | Being younger than 22 (outside FDA-approved use) |
How long do fillers last?
Duration depends on three things – the material, the injected area and the person – as the FDA also points out. HA gels are absorbed bit by bit, so keeping the effect usually means a top-up at some point.
| Material | Mode of action | Usual duration (Cleveland Clinic) |
|---|---|---|
| Hyaluronic acid (HA) | Fills directly and draws in water | Typically 6 months to a year; longer in some areas |
| Calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) | Fills and gives the tissue structural support | About a year |
| Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) | Prompts the body to build its own collagen over time | Two years or longer |
HA is the material chosen most often for the face, in part because hyaluronidase can dissolve it when needed. Which type and which product suits you is decided at the consultation, based on the area and the result you are hoping for.
How is a filler treatment performed?
- Talking first. We go over what you want to change, your health history, any medicines and earlier treatments; your face is then examined and photographed.
- Making a plan. Together you agree on the areas, the volume of filler and where it will go. The skin may be marked with a pen.
- Numbing. Anaesthetic cream goes on the skin, and lidocaine is already mixed into many HA products.
- Injecting. Small amounts are placed with a fine needle or a blunt cannula, and the skin colour is watched throughout.
- Afterwards. The skin is cleaned and cooled, and you leave with written aftercare instructions and a number to call in an emergency.
The American Academy of Dermatology notes that most filler appointments last 15–30 minutes and need a single visit. Filler injection is a medical procedure; it does not belong in a beauty salon, at a party or at home.
What does recovery look like?
The large majority of people carry on with their day as soon as they leave. Some swelling, redness and bruising is usual and generally mild.
| After treatment | Typical course |
|---|---|
| The first 24 hours | Swelling, tenderness, maybe a bruise; no exercise, alcohol or pressure on the area |
| Days 2 and 3 | Swelling going down; make-up is usually fine |
| Days 7 to 10 | Bruises have mostly cleared |
| Around 2 weeks | The gel has settled; the result is judged and any small top-up planned |
How do I plan my trip to Izmir?
Fillers combine well with a short trip or a holiday on the Aegean coast. Most patients allow 1–2 days. Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport (ADB) is about 25–30 minutes by car from the clinic in the Egeperla building, Konak.
| When | What happens |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Consultation, examination and injections |
| Day 2 | An optional check of the result and swelling; you fly home once Dr. Yazır agrees |
| Around 2 weeks on | Follow-up with photos sent over WhatsApp |
On a holiday, booking the fillers at the start of your stay tends to work best: any swelling has time to calm down and can be checked before the flight. For the first day or two it is usually best to stay away from heat, saunas and strenuous activity.
What are the risks of dermal fillers?
A systematic review of randomised trials concluded that HA filler side effects were mostly brief reactions at the injection site that cleared without treatment; serious events were uncommon. International consensus guidance agrees, and emphasises that careful planning, anatomical knowledge and good technique prevent many complications.
Frequent and usually short-lived:
- Bruising, swelling, redness and tenderness
- Small lumps that often smooth out over days or weeks
- Unevenness, usually fixable with a little extra filler
Less frequent or rare:
- Infection, or inflamed nodules appearing later
- A blue tint where filler sits too near the surface (Tyndall effect)
- An allergic reaction
- Vascular occlusion – a blood vessel blocked by filler, which can harm the skin and in very rare cases lead to vision loss or a stroke
Why does hyaluronidase matter?
Hyaluronidase is the enzyme that breaks down HA filler. A 2024 review calls it indispensable in aesthetic medicine: modest doses can deal with lumps or a result the patient dislikes, whereas a blocked vessel needs high doses given without delay.
According to a 2025 report from the American Academy of Ophthalmology, vision loss after filler most commonly followed injections into the nose, forehead and glabella, and treatment usually could not undo it. Prevention is therefore what counts most: injecting slowly and in small volumes, knowing the course of the blood vessels and having an emergency plan ready. If you notice unusual pain, a pale or dusky patch of skin, or any change in your vision after an injection, get help at once.
Why do patients choose Izmir for dermal fillers?
Direct flights connect Izmir with much of Europe, and fillers require only a brief stay. Dr. Yazır is an ENT and head & neck surgeon whose practice focuses on facial aesthetic surgery; he looks at the whole face before advising filler and will tell you if surgery, or no treatment at all, would serve you better. Prices are also lower than in the UK or USA – the estimated comparison is shown below.