What It Is
Dermal fillers are injectable treatments that restore volume, smooth lines, and enhance facial contours. Unlike neurotoxins, which relax muscles, fillers work by adding structure beneath the skin. They replace volume that naturally diminishes with age, smooth deep folds, and refine areas like the cheeks, jawline, lips, and under-eyes.
Charlotte Medical Aesthetics carries one of the most comprehensive filler portfolios in the Charlotte area. This matters because no single filler works best everywhere. Different areas of the face require different gel consistencies, flexibility levels, and injection depths. Having access to the full range means your provider can select the precise product for each treatment area rather than making one formula do everything.
All filler treatments at CMA are performed under the medical direction of Dr. Lindsay Crenshaw. For high-risk areas, the team uses ultrasound-guided injection techniques to map vessels and improve safety, a level of precision that most practices do not offer.
Brands and Products
Restylane Collection
The original and most diverse FDA-approved hyaluronic acid filler family, with over 65 million treatments performed worldwide and 26 years of clinical safety data. The collection includes products specifically designed for cheeks (Contour, Lyft), under-eyes (Eyelight), and moderate to deep facial lines (Refyne, Defyne). Restylane's XpresHAn Technology creates results that move naturally with your expressions. Part of Galderma's ASPIRE Rewards program.
RHA Collection
The only FDA-approved hyaluronic acid filler line designed specifically for dynamic facial areas, the parts of your face that are always in motion. RHA uses Preserved Network Technology with longer HA chains and minimal crosslinking that closely mimics your skin's own hyaluronic acid. The result is a filler that looks natural at rest and during expression. Swiss-made with a minimal ingredient profile. The RHA line includes several formulations for fine lines, lips, folds, and deeper structural support, which we use across a range of treatment areas.
Revanesse Versa+
The fastest-growing filler line in the US, known for clinically documented 24-50% less post-treatment swelling compared to some competitors. Versa's uniform spherical particles create smoother distribution and more natural results. Contains lidocaine for comfort and delivers 20% more product per syringe than some competing brands. An excellent choice for patients who are concerned about visible swelling or are getting filler for the first time.
Revanesse Lips+
A hyaluronic acid filler from the Revanesse line formulated specifically for lip enhancement, restoring volume and definition with a smooth, natural feel. Like the rest of the Revanesse line, it is designed to minimize post-treatment swelling, which patients especially appreciate for lips. Contains lidocaine for comfort. Lip filler generally lasts 6-12 months depending on individual factors.
Radiesse
A calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) filler that works through two mechanisms: immediate volume from the gel carrier and progressive collagen and elastin stimulation over the following 12 months. Radiesse is not a hyaluronic acid filler. It is a biostimulator, meaning your results actually improve over time as your body builds new structural proteins. FDA-approved for the face, jawline, hands, and the décolleté (chest). Merz Xperience+ Rewards eligible.
Sculptra
Sculptra (poly-L-lactic acid) is a biostimulator rather than a traditional dermal filler. It produces no immediate volume. Instead, it gradually stimulates your body's own collagen production, building natural-looking volume over several months. Results develop subtly and can last two or more years, making it a strong option for restoring overall facial fullness over time.
Who It's For
Dermal fillers are appropriate for patients experiencing age-related volume loss, deepening facial lines, or changes in facial contour. Common concerns include flattened cheeks, nasolabial folds (the lines from nose to mouth), marionette lines, thin or aging lips, under-eye hollowing, and loss of jawline definition.
Most patients begin noticing these changes in their mid-thirties to fifties, though some seek filler earlier for lip enhancement or facial balancing. Fillers are also effective for patients who have achieved significant weight loss and want to address facial volume changes that follow.
Patients who are pregnant, breastfeeding, have active skin infections in the treatment area, or have certain autoimmune conditions should postpone treatment. A consultation will determine the right products and approach for your specific anatomy.
What to Expect
Before Your Treatment
Your provider will evaluate your facial structure, discuss your goals, and recommend specific products for each treatment area. This is not a one-size-fits-all process. Different areas of the face call for different fillers, and your plan will reflect that. Avoid blood-thinning medications and supplements for several days before your appointment.
During Your Treatment
Filler injections take approximately 30-60 minutes depending on the number of areas being treated. Most modern fillers contain lidocaine for comfort, and your provider may apply topical numbing before treatment. You will be able to see results immediately. For areas near blood vessels, the CMA team may use ultrasound guidance to map the anatomy and improve safety during injection.
After Your Treatment
Mild swelling and bruising are common and typically resolve within 24-72 hours. Most patients return to normal activities the same day. Avoid intense exercise, alcohol, and excessive heat for 24-48 hours. Results are visible immediately, though fillers settle and soften over the first 1-2 weeks. Depending on the product, results last 6-18+ months.
Treatment Areas
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Do Dermal Filler Results Last?
Duration varies by product and treatment area. Hyaluronic acid fillers generally last 6-18 months. Lip filler generally lasts 6-12 months, while less dynamic areas such as the cheeks can last longer, around 12-18 months. RHA fillers last up to 15 months. Radiesse, a calcium-based biostimulator, lasts 12-14+ months and continues building collagen during that time. Sculptra builds collagen gradually, with results that can last two or more years. Your provider will recommend a maintenance schedule based on the products used.
What Is the Difference Between Hyaluronic Acid Fillers and Biostimulators?
Hyaluronic acid fillers (Restylane, RHA, Revanesse) add volume directly and are reversible with an enzyme called hyaluronidase. Biostimulators like Radiesse and Sculptra stimulate your body to produce new collagen and elastin over time. Radiesse adds immediate volume and then builds collagen, while Sculptra adds no immediate volume and builds collagen and natural volume gradually. Both have a place in a comprehensive treatment plan, and your provider will recommend the right approach for your goals.
Are Dermal Fillers Safe?
FDA-approved dermal fillers have extensive safety data spanning decades of clinical use. The most common side effects are mild swelling, redness, and bruising at the injection site, which resolve within days. Serious complications are rare when treatment is performed by an experienced medical provider. At CMA, the team uses ultrasound-guided injection techniques in high-risk areas to visualize vessels and enhance safety.
Will Fillers Look Natural?
Yes, when placed by an experienced provider using the right product for each area. The goal at Charlotte Medical Aesthetics is always subtle enhancement that respects your natural facial proportions. CMA carries multiple filler brands and formulations specifically so that each treatment area receives the product best suited to it. Overfilled or unnatural results come from using too much product or from improper placement, such as using the wrong type of filler in the wrong area, not from fillers themselves.
Can Fillers Be Reversed?
Hyaluronic acid fillers can be dissolved with an enzyme called hyaluronidase if needed. This is one of the safety advantages of HA-based products. Non-HA fillers like Radiesse and Sculptra are not reversible with an enzyme but are fully biocompatible and naturally metabolized by the body over time.
What Is Ultrasound-Guided Injection?
Ultrasound-guided injection uses real-time imaging to visualize blood vessels and tissue structures beneath the skin during filler placement. This allows the provider to map vessels in high-risk areas and improve safety. It is not standard practice at most med spas, but it is part of the approach at Charlotte Medical Aesthetics for applicable treatments.
How Much Do Dermal Fillers Cost?
Filler pricing depends on the product selected and the number of syringes needed, which varies by treatment area and individual anatomy. Your provider will give you a detailed estimate during your consultation. Manufacturer rewards programs including ASPIRE (Galderma), Xperience+ (Merz), and Alle (Allergan) can help reduce costs on future treatments.