Dermal Fillers in Oakville

Dermal fillers are one of the most popular non-surgical treatments at APT Medical Aesthetics in Oakville — and it’s no surprise why. These gel-like injections use hyaluronic acid (HA), a substance already found naturally in your body, to add natural volume, smooth deep lines, and plump and hydrate the skin, so you can look like you, but rested. That’s what so many of our GTA patients are looking for.

In this guide, we will walk you through what dermal fillers are, how they work, what they treat, and why patients across Oakville and the GTA choose APT Medical Aesthetics.

What Are Dermal Fillers?

Dermal fillers are injectable gels that restore volume, smooth wrinkles, and enhance facial features. Most of the dermal fillers available in Canada are comprised of hyaluronic acid (HA) — a naturally occurring sugar found in the skin that helps keep it hydrated and plump. As we age, our natural HA decreases, which can lead to volume loss and wrinkles.

Fillers are injected into the skin to fill in wrinkles, add volume to the cheeks and lips, and improve the appearance of the face. Results are immediate, and most fillers last from 6 to 18 months, depending on the product used and the area treated.

What Do Dermal Fillers Treat?

Dermal fillers are used to restore volume loss, smooth deep lines or folds, and enhance facial features. Areas they can treat include:

• Cheeks: Restore volume in the cheeks and mid-face, lifting the face and softening smile lines.
• Smile lines (nasolabial folds): Soften the deep lines running from the nose to the corners of the mouth.
• Marionette lines: Smooth the lines running from the corners of the mouth toward the chin (beneath the corners of the mouth).
• Lips: Add volume and definition to thin lips, and smooth lines around the mouth.
• Temples: Restore fullness to hollow temples.
• Tear troughs: Reduce the appearance of under-eye hollows and dark circles.
• Nose: Improve symmetry and smooth bumps, for a non-surgical nose reshaping.
• Back of the hands: Restore volume to aging hands, reducing the appearance of veins and tendons.
• Chin and jawline: Add structure and definition to the chin and jawline.

In addition, dermal fillers can be used as an anti-aging treatment for the hands, which are often the first place to show signs of aging.

Types of Dermal Fillers

There are several types of dermal fillers available in Canada. Your nurse injector will work with you to devise a treatment plan based on your needs and goals. She will consider your age and the amount of volume loss, as well as what you are looking to achieve, and recommend the most appropriate filler for your unique situation.

• Hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers: Most of the dermal fillers available in Canada are comprised of hyaluronic acid — a naturally occurring sugar found in the skin. HA fillers include Juvederm®, Restylane®, and Belotero®. They add volume, smooth wrinkles, and hydrate the skin, and they can be dissolved with hyaluronidase if needed.
• Calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) fillers: Radiesse® is a dermal filler that is comprised of calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) — not hyaluronic acid. CaHA microspheres provide immediate volume and then stimulate collagen production over time, offering a longer-lasting result.
• Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) fillers: Sculptra® is a biostimulator made of poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) that encourages your body to make more collagen over time, gradually restoring volume.
• Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) fillers: Bellafill® is a longer-lasting filler made of PMMA microspheres suspended in a collagen gel, used for deep smile lines and acne scars.

What is the Dermal Filler Treatment Process?

Your dermal filler journey begins with a consultation at APT Medical Aesthetics, where a nurse injector will assess your skin and discuss your goals.

• Consultation: Your injector will assess your skin, review your goals, and create a treatment plan designed around your needs.
• Preparation: On the day of treatment, the area is cleansed, and a numbing cream may be applied for your comfort. Most dermal fillers also contain a local anaesthetic to keep you comfortable during the injections.
• Treatment: Dermal filler is injected into the targeted areas using a fine needle or cannula. A session typically takes less than an hour.
• Results: You will see an instant improvement after dermal filler treatment. Results will continue to improve over a few days, as swelling subsides and the product settles.

Dermal Filler Aftercare and Recovery

Any injectable treatment may be accompanied by some minor redness, swelling or bruising. These effects are common and usually resolve on their own within a week. Most patients return to work and everyday activities the same day or the following day.

To care for your skin after the injections, remember:

• Avoid sun exposure and intense heat
• Avoid saunas
• Avoid strenuous exercise for 24 hours
• Avoid taking aspirin, ibuprofen, and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, unless your doctor advises otherwise
• Apply a cool compress if needed to reduce swelling

How Long Do Dermal Fillers Last?

Results from dermal filler can last 6 to 12 months or longer, depending on the product used and the area treated. Juvederm Voluma, for example, can last up to two years in the cheeks. Your injector will discuss how long you can expect your results to last at your consultation.

To maintain your results, most patients return for a touch-up treatment once a year, or as recommended by their injector.

Is Dermal Filler Safe?

Dermal fillers are approved by Health Canada and the FDA and carry an excellent safety profile when injected by an experienced provider. The most common side effects include swelling, tenderness, redness, bruising, and itching. Serious side effects are rare.

Because most dermal fillers are made of hyaluronic acid, a substance your body already makes, they are well tolerated. Hyaluronidase, an enzyme that can dissolve HA filler, is available on-site at APT, so you can feel confident knowing your care is in expert hands. The medical director at APT is a physician, and our lead nurse injector is a former hospital ICU nurse.

Dermal Fillers vs. Botox

Dermal fillers and Botox are both popular injectable treatments, but they work in different ways. Botox relaxes the muscles that cause dynamic wrinkles, while dermal fillers add volume and smooth static wrinkles. Many patients use both treatments together for a more complete, natural-looking result.

Why Choose APT Medical Aesthetics?

At APT Medical Aesthetics in Oakville, we are known for a less-is-more, natural approach to injectables. Our treatments are provided by experienced medical professionals — Registered Practical Nurses, Registered Nurses, an NP, and Dr. Brown as our medical director — so you can feel confident knowing you are in skilled hands.

We take a personalized approach to every dermal filler treatment. At your consultation, we will share our honest recommendations, and if dermal filler is not the right option for you, we will tell you. Our focus is on giving you the results you are looking for — not on selling a treatment.

Visit APT Medical Aesthetics in Oakville — we have earned awards in Oakville and served the GTA for over 15 years. We offer many popular treatments, including dermal fillers, Sculptra, Radiesse®, soft lift, and mind-body treatments.

Book Your Consultation

Ready to experience the dermal filler difference? Book your consultation today and discover how dermal fillers can help you achieve natural, refreshed results.

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