What are the common uses for facial fillers?

Dr. Chiu-Collins uses dermal fillers to enhance several areas, including the cheeks, under-eyes, temples, lips, smile lines, jawlines, and chin. They are also used for non-surgical rhinoplasty and to improve overall skin texture.

How long do the results of facial fillers last?

The longevity of results depends on the type of filler used. Most hyaluronic acid fillers like Juvederm or Restylane last between 6 to 18 months, while biostimulatory fillers like Sculptra can provide natural-looking results for up to 2 years or more.

What is the recovery time after a filler treatment?

There is typically no downtime required for facial fillers. Patients can usually resume their normal daily activities immediately after the procedure, though it is often advised to avoid strenuous exercise for the remainder of the treatment day.

Are there any side effects associated with dermal fillers?

While filler treatments performed by Dr. Chiu-Collins typically involve little to no bruising, some minor bruising or swelling at the injection site is possible. Patients using blood-thinning substances like aspirin, ibuprofen, or certain herbal supplements may have an increased risk of bruising.

Who performs the filler injections at Union Square Facial Plastic Surgery?

All injectable treatments, including Botox and dermal fillers, are personally performed by Dr. Lynn Chiu-Collins, a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon.

Facial Fillers San Francisco: Non-Surgical Facial Rejuvenation

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.

Before & After photos

* Individual results may vary.

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View before-and-after pictures of real patients of Dr. Lynn

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There is a great variety of facial fillers offered at Union Square Facial Plastic Surgery:

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.

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.

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 and its interaction with facial tissues.

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 “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. Dr. Chiu-Collins is both certified and very experienced in Sculptra injection.

Preparation

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.

You should inform us before treatment if you are using: Alcohol, Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Vitamin E, Fish Oil, Ginkgo, Green Tea, Garlic, Ginseng, St John’s Wort, or any herbal medications. You should avoid Aspirin-containing products for 10 days before your procedure, and you should avoid NSAIDS (Ibuprofen/Advil/Motrin, Aleve, etc) and herbal supplements for 7 days prior to your treatment.

Avoid alcohol 48 hours prior to treatment. If you are prescribed any of these medications by your physician, you must consult with them prior to stopping any medication.

How Much Do Facial Fillers Cost?

The cost of facial fillers depends on several factors. The number of sessions will influence the final price, as will the severity of the cosmetic issues being addressed.

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.

Why Choose a Facial Plastic Surgeon for Injectables?

A surgical background allows for a three-dimensional assessment of the face. While some injectors focus only on lines, a surgeon evaluates the underlying bone structure, musculature, and fat pads. Dr. Lynn Chiu-Collins possesses a deep understanding of facial anatomy, including the complex network of nerves, muscles, and blood vessels. This expertise allows her to place injectable implants with a high degree of accuracy and a strong ability to predict and deliver appropriate outcomes to achieve natural-looking results.

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.

Always A Team Approach

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