Here's What Fillers Can and Can't Do for Anti-Aging
If you're beginning to notice signs of facial aging, you may be wondering whether it's time for injectables, or if a surgical procedure would give you better results. For many patients in their 40s, 50s, and even early 60s, dermal fillers offer a non-invasive option to restore a more refreshed look.
But while fillers are effective for certain concerns, they're not a substitute for surgery when deeper aging is involved. Richmond board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Sharline Aboutanos shares what fillers can (and can't) do—and how to decide what's right for you.
What Fillers Can Achieve
Restore Volume Loss
As we age, our face naturally loses fat and structural support, leading to a slightly hollow appearance. Fillers like Juvéderm® and Revance RHA® are designed to replace that lost volume, helping to smooth contours and bring back youthful fullness—without surgery.
Smooth Fine Lines and Mild Wrinkles
Fillers are great for addressing static lines—those that are visible when your face is at rest—such as nasolabial folds (smile lines), marionette lines, and mild lines around the mouth. A small amount of filler can soften these lines and help you look naturally refreshed.
Enhance Lip Shape and Volume
Whether you've lost volume with age or were born with naturally thinner lips, fillers can subtly enhance lip shape and fullness while maintaining a natural look. Many patients in midlife find lip enhancement adds balance and youthfulness to their appearance.
Offer Immediate, No-Downtime Results
One of the most attractive things about fillers is that they work instantly. You can typically see a visible improvement right away with minimal swelling or bruising, and you can return to your normal routine immediately after treatment.
What Fillers Can Not Achieve
Lift Sagging Skin or Jowls
Once skin laxity becomes more advanced, filler alone won't be able to "lift" sagging tissues. Overfilling to compensate can lead to an unnatural or puffy appearance. In these cases, a surgical facelift or neck lift may be a better option to restore youthful contours without distorting facial features.
Replace Lost Elasticity
Fillers replace volume, but they can't tighten stretched or thinning skin. Treatments like laser resurfacing or RF microneedling can help improve skin quality and address mild laxity, respectively, but for those with moderate to severe laxity, surgery is typically the most effective solution.
Provide Long-Lasting Results
Most dermal fillers last between 6 to 18 months, depending on the product and treatment area. For patients looking for more durable results, surgical facial rejuvenation provides a longer-term solution with results that last years, not months.
“Dr. Aboutanos is incredibly warm & has an amazing bedside manner. She truly cares about her patients. I felt safe knowing I was under her medical care & I am not an easily trusting person when it comes to medical professionals.”
–Patient testimonial for Dr. Aboutanos
Address Muscle-Related Wrinkles
Dynamic wrinkles caused by facial movement, like forehead lines or crow's feet, are best treated with neuromodulators like BOTOX® or Daxxify®, not fillers. These products work by relaxing the muscles that create expression lines.
Reposition Skin and Underlying Tissue
Fillers can enhance what's already there, but they cannot make permanent changes like repositioning tissue can. For more significant rejuvenation or reshaping—especially in the midface or lower face—surgical options like a facelift or neck lift are more appropriate. To achieve lasting rejuvenation in the eye and brow areas, Dr. Aboutanos performs a brow lift or eyelid surgery, often both, for stronger and seamless anti-aging results in the upper face.
Fillers vs. Surgery: How to Decide
If you're just starting to notice early signs of aging, such as volume loss, mild wrinkles, or early softening of facial features, fillers may be an excellent option. But if you've noticed loose skin, jowling, or deep folds that don't improve with injectables, it may be time for a surgical consultation.
At your consultation, Dr. Aboutanos will assess your facial anatomy, skin quality, and goals to help you choose the best path forward. In some cases, combining fillers with other non-surgical treatments or incorporating them into a surgical plan can offer the most natural, comprehensive results.
Find the Right Treatment for Your Unique Goals
There's no one-size-fits-all solution to facial aging, and the best treatment is the one that's tailored to your needs and goals. To schedule your personal consultation with Richmond plastic surgeon Dr. Sharline Aboutanos, contact us online today.