Facial Filler: Restoring your inner beauty

The Effects of Aging on Volume and Texture

Union Square Facial Plastic Surgery provides facial fillers in San Francisco to address structural changes that occur with aging. Rather than simply treating surface wrinkles, Dr. Chiu-Collins performs a non-surgical facelift in San Francisco by restoring deep volume and structural support.

This approach replenishes the look of collagen, elastin, and bone density that naturally thins over time. By targeting the foundation of the face, patients achieve a refreshed appearance that remains natural and balanced. At Union Square Facial Plastic Surgery, we believe in subtle, natural-looking enhancements—our patients never look over-injected or artificially “pillowy.” In fact, Dr. Chiu-Collins is a trusted expert in correcting poorly placed fillers from outside providers. While an overfilled “pillow face” has become increasingly common in media and daily life, we believe you deserve better than unnatural, cookie-cutter results.

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Facial Contouring with Fillers Results San Francisco

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Structural Support with Injectable Implants

Modern facial aesthetics move beyond filling lines to provide significant anatomical support. Dr. Chiu-Collins uses injectable implants of filler to mimic the support of natural bone and deep tissue. This method is essential for natural appearing cheek augmentation and jawline contouring, where fillers provide the necessary lift for sagging skin.

Placing these products at a deeper level creates a defined profile and restores the midface and other architectural elements of the face to its healthier and also more youthful position. For patients wanting to soften a wide or square jawline, Jaw Slimming Botox is sometimes used alongside filler for a more complete contouring result.

The Synergy of Volume and Skin Tightening

True facial harmony requires addressing both tissue deflation and skin laxity. Dr. Chiu-Collins often pairs facial fillers in San Francisco with energy-based treatments to provide a more comprehensive result. Combining fillers with Profound® radiofrequency skin tightening or Ultherapy® ultrasound skin tightening creates a lifting effect without surgery. This dual approach helps firm the skin’s surface, while the fillers provide underlying structural support. Some patients are candidates for combination therapy with UltraClear Laser or UltraClear Ablative Laser Resurfacing with Laser-Coring.

Our Selection of Facial Fillers

We provide a curated selection of products to address different areas of the face and various skin types. Each filler is selected based on its unique viscosity, its interaction with facial tissues, and how well it supports the underlying structural framework of the face.

Juvederm®

Juvederm is a family of products that are a clear gel consisting of hyaluronate, a naturally occurring substance in your skin that helps provide volume and hydration. In the hands of Dr. Chiu-Collins, Juvederm is used to replenish or establish the deep “bone” structure of the face to treat facial lines, folds, and wrinkles, as well as to restore deeper soft-tissue volume. It is also fabulous for adding definition to the structure of the lips, and in some candidates, it can also provide natural-looking volume to the lips.

It has been formulated into an easy-to-use injectable product, combined with lidocaine, for a more comfortable treatment. The results are immediate. Juvederm Voluma, one of the more popular products at our practice, lasts for up to two years, and we recommend earlier touchups at six months to one year for maintenance.

Many clients prefer a non-surgical option for facial rejuvenation versus surgical intervention. Juvederm restores structure and volume and fullness to areas of loss, providing a more youthful, immediate result.

Restylane®

Restylane is also a clear, smooth hyaluronate gel. It, too, is a naturally occurring substance in our skin and, like the other Hyaluronic acid fillers, does not require allergy testing before use. Restylane is also used to replenish volume in facial architecture, lines, folds, and wrinkles.

Restylane is particularly effective at restoring the upper cheek flatness we start to notice in our 30s. It is also highly effective for recreating the lip landmarks during lip augmentation, yielding a very natural-looking result in Dr. Chiu-Collins’s hands. The result is immediate, and the effects last up to 9 months or more, depending on the site and the individual.

Other HA Fillers

The current list of HA fillers available in the US and internationally goes on and on. Ask our staff or Dr. Chiu-Collins for any questions you may have about fillers.

Radiesse®

Radiesse is essential in the spectrum of facial fillers. It is firmer in consistency than HA fillers and partly made of calcium, making it ideal for replacing bony volume and treating deep tissue loss. It is also good for the folds and wrinkles of the skin. Another thing that makes Radiesse special is its biostimulatory qualities—when injected into the skin, it actually stimulates additional collagen growth.

You have the advantage of the immediate aesthetic result from the injection, as well as enhanced stimulation of your own collagen. Radiesse also lasts longer than the HA fillers, up to 12-18 months in some patients. Like the rest of the facial filler injections, Dr. Chiu-Collins personally performs your treatment.

Sculptra®

Sculptra is a unique, long-lasting facial “filler” with unparalleled biostimulatory action. It does not have an immediate filling effect; however, over the weeks following injection, it will stimulate your own collagen formation. As Dr. Chiu-Collins says, because the Sculptra is injected as if we are “growing implants” and it “grows with you,” the results are very natural-looking, and the face musculature moves in a very natural way.

As with any injection at our practice, Dr. Chiu-Collins deeply respects the patient’s native anatomy and believes in a structural approach, even with Sculptra, so your result will always look natural, healthy, and aesthetic, never bloated or puffy. The results from Sculptra can last up to 2 years or more in some patients!

Be aware that your injector must be specifically certified to administer Sculptra injections. Experience is key. Dr. Chiu-Collins is both certified and very experienced in Sculptra injection.

Who Is a Candidate for Facial Fillers

You may be a good candidate for facial fillers if you’re experiencing:

Volume loss in the cheeks, temples, or under-eye area
Deepening facial folds or lines, such as nasolabial folds or marionette lines
A flattened or hollow appearance in the midface
A weak chin or jawline in a man or woman
Interest in a non-surgical option for facial rejuvenation and/or augmentation
A desire to enhance or restore lip volume and definition

The best way to know if facial fillers are right for you is a personal consultation with Dr. Chiu-Collins, where she’ll evaluate your facial structure and goals.

Preparation

Given her unparalleled and thorough understanding of facial anatomy and tissue planes, filler treatments with Dr. Chiu-Collins typically demonstrate very little to no bruising; however, bruising is possible. Patients who are using substances that can prolong bleeding have an increased chance of bruising or bleeding at the injection site.

Before your treatment, please let us know if you are using any of the following:

Alcohol
Aspirin or aspirin-containing products
Ibuprofen, Advil, Motrin, Aleve, or other NSAIDs
Vitamin E, fish oil, ginkgo, green tea extract, garlic, ginseng, or St. John’s Wort

To minimize bruising, please follow these guidelines:

Avoid aspirin-containing products for 10 days before treatment
Avoid NSAIDs and herbal supplements for 7 days before treatment
Avoid alcohol for 48 hours before treatment
If any of these are prescribed by your physician, consult them before stopping

How Much Do Facial Fillers Cost?

The cost of facial fillers depends on several factors, including the type of product used, the number of syringes or units needed, and the area or areas being treated. Because every patient’s goals and anatomy are different, Dr. Chiu-Collins provides a personalized treatment plan and exact pricing during your consultation, so you know what to expect before moving forward.

Recovery

There is no recovery time needed for filler treatment. You may resume your usual activities immediately, except that we advise no exercise for the rest of the treatment day. Mild swelling or redness at the injection site is common and typically resolves within a day or two. Makeup can usually be applied the same day, and ice can help minimize any initial swelling.

Why Choose a Facial Plastic Surgeon for Injectables?

A surgical background allows for a three-dimensional assessment of the face, not just a focus on surface lines. Dr. Lynn Chiu-Collins brings:

A three-dimensional evaluation of bone structure, musculature, and fat pads
Deep understanding of facial nerves, muscles, and blood vessels for safe, accurate placement
Surgical training that supports predictable, natural-looking outcomes

This expertise allows her to place injectable implants with a high degree of accuracy and a strong ability to predict and deliver appropriate outcomes.

Say goodbye to “filler face.” At Union Square Facial Plastic Surgery, our signature is a completely natural look—never over-injected or “pillowy.” While overfilled faces are all over the media today, we refuse to let that be the standard. Dr. Chiu-Collins is the trusted specialist patients turn to for first time injections and also for correcting and refining poorly placed fillers from other providers.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do the results of facial fillers in San Francisco last?

The longevity of your results depends on the specific product used and your individual metabolism. Most hyaluronic acid fillers provide a refreshed look for six to 12 months, while biostimulators like Sculptra or Radiesse provide structural support for two years or more.

Can Dr. Chiu-Collins perform a filler correction if I am unhappy with the results from another injector?

Patients often come into Union Square Facial Plastic Surgery inquiring about correction for results from another injector. Dr. Chiu-Collins specializes in filler correction to address suboptimal outcomes such as lumps, asymmetry, or over-filling. She uses her surgical expertise to safely adjust or dissolve the existing product to restore a balanced appearance. Severe corrective cases may sometimes require a combined surgical approach to help the patient return to an appropriate state.

Should I choose injectable implants or a permanent fat transfer?

While fillers and Sculptra are excellent non-invasive options for many, some patients may be candidates for permanent volume restoration through their own fat. Dr. Chiu-Collins can help you decide which approach fits your lifestyle and long-term goals during your private consultation.

Schedule Your Consultation

Schedule a consultation today! When you come in for your consultation, Dr. Chiu-Collins will walk you through every step of the process, from education and facial analysis to pretreatment instructions, the treatment itself, and what to expect afterwards. She personally performs all Botox and Filler treatments and surgery.

If you’re interested in learning more about Facial Fillers, call or email Union Square Facial Plastic Surgery for a consultation: 415-702-3000, [email protected]

Call: 415-702-3000

Patients interested in treating dynamic wrinkles may also consider Botox and Dysport in San Francisco.