Fillers is a collective term for injectable gels used to restore volume, shape the contours of the face and smooth out wrinkles and folds. Most fillers today are based on hyaluronic acid – a naturally occurring substance in the body's connective tissue that helps the skin bind moisture.
What is hyaluronic acid?
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a glycosaminoglycan found naturally in the skin, joints and connective tissue. It has a unique ability to bind water – up to 1,000 times its own weight – which makes it an ideal material for filling out the skin and creating volume. The hyaluronic acid in modern fillers is cross-linked in a laboratory to make it more durable and to stop it breaking down immediately after injection[1].
Which brands are there?
In Sweden, mainly approved brands are used, such as:
- Restylane® (Galderma) – one of the most widely used brands, available in many different molecule sizes
- Juvederm® (Allergan) – a well-proven range with Vycross technology
- Teosyal® (Teoxane) – Swiss, known for natural results
- Stylage® (Vivacy) – also contains the antioxidant mannitol
- Belotero® (Merz) – uses Cohesive Polydensified Matrix technology
Other types of fillers include Radiesse® (calcium hydroxylapatite) and Sculptra® (poly-L-lactic acid), which stimulate collagen production rather than filling directly.
Which areas are treated?
Fillers are used for many different purposes in the face:
- Lips – volume, definition and hydration (the most common treatment in Sweden)
- Cheekbones – restores volume and lift
- Nasolabial folds – the lines between the nose and the corner of the mouth
- Marionette lines – lines running down from the corner of the mouth
- Jawline – definition and contour
- Chin – projection and balance
- Tear trough – dark circles and hollows under the eyes
- Nose – non-surgical nose correction
- Temples – restoring lost volume
How is the treatment carried out?
A typical filler treatment takes 20–45 minutes. The practitioner cleans the area, numbs it (most fillers also contain lidocaine), and injects the gel under the skin with a needle or a microcannula. The result is visible immediately, although minor swelling may hide the final appearance for the first 1–2 weeks.
How long do fillers last?
How long they last varies depending on the product, the area and the individual:
- Lips: 6–12 months
- Cheekbones: 12–18 months
- Nasolabial folds: 9–12 months
- Jawline/chin: 12–18 months
Areas with more movement (such as the lips) break down the filler faster than more static areas (such as the cheekbones).
Risks and side effects
Most side effects are mild and temporary:
- Swelling and tenderness (1–7 days)
- Bruising
- Mild redness
- Temporary asymmetry
Rare but more serious risks include vascular occlusion (when the filler blocks a blood vessel), infection or granuloma. That is why it is crucial that the practitioner has in-depth anatomical knowledge. When used correctly, fillers are safe[2].
Hyalase – dissolving fillers
A major advantage of hyaluronic acid-based fillers is that they can be dissolved with the enzyme hyaluronidase (Hyalase®) if the result is not as desired or in the event of complications. This is not possible with other types of fillers.
Under Swedish law, only a licensed physician, registered nurse or licensed dentist may perform aesthetic injection treatments. Always choose a practitioner with:
- Documented training in aesthetic injection
- Long experience of the specific area you want treated
- Certification from Estetiska Injektionsrådet or equivalent
- IVO registration and patient insurance
In the event of side effects
If you experience unusual symptoms after treatment — read Filler side effects — a complete overview of warning signs to understand when you should seek medical care and which warning signs are serious.
How long the effect lasts depends on which product is used, the amount and the individual's metabolism — see the typical longevity of lip filler.
