Are Dermal Fillers Painful?

Dermal fillers allow us to rejuvenate and revitalize the skin without downtime and without surgery. However, the thought of injections make some patients feel a bit hesitant. The good news is, dermal filler injections are not painful for most patients.

Dermal fillers can be used all over the face; the cheeks, lips, under the eyes, around the nose and mouth. This is important when discussing comfort. Injections around the eyes, lips and cheeks are typically less uncomfortable than ones made around the mouth and nasal area. The reason for this is in relation to the facial anatomy. These areas that may be a bit more sensitive to the injections have a higher number of nerves that supply the skin and deeper layers.

Another factor to consider is the thickness or density of the filler. Fillers that are injected deeper (for example cheeks) require a thicker filler in order to provide structural support for the tissue and skin layers above. This can be associated with a sensation of fullness or tightness in the treatment area. This doesn’t mean it will be painful, but it is a sensation you should expect to have for a short period after your filler treatment.

The needles used for dermal filler treatments are extremely small and cause very little to no bleeding/trauma to the treatment area. Although the administration of dermal fillers is usually painless, some discomfort, swelling, redness and itching are all considered possible side effects of dermal fillers.

In general, patients find dermal fillers extremely tolerable. Patients often leave our office pleasantly surprised about how comfortable the treatments are. 

To learn more about dermal fillers in Fairfax or to schedule a treatment with Dr. Perman, contact us today.