Dermal fillers are often advertised as a fast, long-lasting way to plump the skin and smooth away lines, but it can be difficult to know how to budget for your treatment.
Many factors affect how much facial fillers cost, from the kind of fillers you get to where your plastic surgeon’s office is located. The guide below outlines what dermal fillers are, what kinds are currently available, the basic cost of each, and factors that might affect the final price of your treatment.
If you’d like a firm estimate of how much your dermal filler treatment may cost, contact Elite Facial Plastic Surgery today. Our lead plastic surgeon, Dr. Dominic Castellano, will walk you through your dermal filler treatment options, assess your needs, and provide a cost estimate based on that free consultation.
What Are Dermal Fillers?
Dermal fillers are smooth gels composed of different medical-grade ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid and bovine collagen.
These materials are biocompatible, which means they can help restore moisture and elasticity in your skin by helping to replace the collagen and hyaluronic acid lost during aging.
These fillers help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and treat volume loss in the cheeks, creating a more youthful and rejuvenated appearance in the face.
How Do Dermal Fillers Work?
Dermal filler gels are injected under the skin to compensate for volume loss that causes the skin to sag and develop wrinkles. Most fillers also help stimulate your body to produce more collagen and elastin, which helps restore elasticity and firmness to your skin, enhancing the dermal fillers’ effectiveness.
Different Types of Dermal Fillers
There are currently a wide variety of FDA-approved dermal fillers available for use in facial cosmetic procedures. While all fillers are designed to lift, plump, and contour the face, each filler has a different composition — meaning different fillers may work better for different areas of the face or better meet certain individuals’ needs.
Below is a list of the most popular dermal fillers, what they are, and their average cost per injection.
Bellafill
Bellafill is a dermal filler made of bovine collagen and blended with tiny polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) beads. The collagen helps lift and firm skin immediately, while the beads provide structural support to help the skin and connective tissue remain lifted and smooth.
Average cost per injection: $1,058
Juvederm
Juvederm is one of the most well-known dermal fillers available. It’s popular because people are familiar with it and its reputation for producing exceptional results. This hyaluronic acid-based filler is soft and smooth and produces plump, natural-looking facial contours.
There are several varieties of Juvederm available, including:
- Juvéderm® XC
- Juvéderm® Vollure XC
- Juvéderm® Voluma XC
- Juvéderm® Ultra XC
- Juvéderm® Volbella XC
Each version of Juvederm is formulated to treat different areas of the face. Talk to your provider to see which one may be right for you.
Average cost per injection: $684
Radiesse
Radiesse is a dermal filler made of calcium hydroxyapatite microspheres in a gel-like solution. Like other fillers, it lifts and contours your skin from underneath while simultaneously increasing collagen production. Radiesse’s microspheres are structurally sturdier than the smoother hyaluronic gel fillers, making it longer-lasting. With proper care, Radiesse can last up to 18 months.
Average cost per injection: $717
Restylane
Restylane is one of several hyaluronic acid-based fillers available on the market. It can be injected under the eyes, into the cheeks, or around the lips and mouth to restore fullness. The biggest difference between Restylane and other hyaluronic acid fillers is that it’s more granular and textured.
Average cost per injection: $684
Sculptra
Sculptra is an injectable cosmetic filler made of synthetic poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA). This biocompatible substance helps stimulate collagen production. That means that as the filler lifts and smooths your skin from below, your body will produce additional collagen to increase the filler’s effects over time.
Average cost per injection: $853
Factors Influencing Dermal Fillers Cost
Aside from the cost of the fillers themselves, there are additional factors that affect the cost of your dermal treatments. Things like how many syringes you need and the provider you choose can significantly raise or lower the cost of your dermal fillers. The geographic location of the treatment center can also affect price, as the cost of treatment will align with the local cost of living.
Location
In general, the higher the cost of living in a particular location, the more expensive everything is — including dermal fillers. These treatments are more likely to be more expensive in major cities like New York City and Los Angeles than in smaller metropolitan areas like Nashville, TN.
For instance, in Beverly Hills, lip fillers can cost as much as $1,200, while fillers in Nashville start at $375.
Number of Syringes Used
Dermal fillers are normally sold by the syringe, meaning the more syringes you require, the higher the cost of your treatment will be. Most treatments require at least 2 syringes to achieve a symmetrical look. For instance, you may need one syringe under each eye to restore fullness and remediate dark circles.
Skill and Experience of Your Provider
When calculating the cost of dermal fillers, it’s important to remember that your provider’s time and skill are also a significant part of the final price. Typically, more experienced and skilled providers are more expensive than their less experienced counterparts.
However, paying an additional up-front cost for a board-certified facial plastic surgeon can save you time and money in the long run. Highly skilled providers cost more because they consistently achieve exceptional results for their patients. Better results mean you won’t have to spend additional money getting corrections for a shoddy procedure.
Cost of Dermal Fillers
Though you can gauge how much your treatment may be using the average cost of each filler, it’s also important to consider your location and your preferred provider.
Having these numbers will make it easier to determine an accurate estimate. You can then use this information when scheduling consultations. Providers like Elite Facial Plastic Surgery offer free, no-obligation consultations so you can decide which provider can meet your aesthetic and budgetary needs.
Dermal Fillers FAQ
Are Dermal Fillers Worth It?
Dermal fillers are a fast, minimally invasive, effective way to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and restore your face to youthful fullness. The fillers are soft enough to provide natural-looking results that last up to a year.
If you’re looking for a fast and easy way to remediate wrinkles and sagging skin, dermal fillers may be worth the investment.
Are Dermal Fillers Permanent?
No — dermal fillers are a long-lasting way to reduce the signs of aging, but most fillers last an average of 6 to 24 months. How long they last depends on the quality of the treatment and your skincare routine. Your plastic surgeon can offer advice for making your dermal fillers last as long as possible.
Are Dermal Fillers Safe?
Dermal fillers are FDA-approved for small-scale use in certain areas of the face, including the jawline. The procedure is fast, and minimally invasive, and there’s little to no downtime or risk of infection or other complications.
As long as you follow your doctor’s instructions and receive dermal filler treatments from a qualified and licensed professional, dermal fillers are a safe way to:
- Correct moderate to severe lines, wrinkles, and hollows
- Increase fullness in several areas of the face, such as the lips
- Correct or reduce the appearance of acne scars on the cheeks
Contact Elite Facial Plastic Surgery for a Free Consultation
When it comes to dermal fillers, the best results come from highly experienced medical professionals like Dr. Dominic Castellano — a double board-certified plastic surgeon leading a team of certified and talented cosmetic procedure specialists.
To learn more about which dermal fillers may be right for you, contact us to schedule your free consultation today.
