Filler Sounds Right… But Are You Missing Something Better?
With aesthetic treatments, people often default to what’s popular, which explains why dermal filler is a top choice. But is it the right treatment for your specific concern? Maybe not.
To begin with, understanding what you want to achieve, and what each treatment can realistically deliver, is essential. Next, we’ll compare fillers with other options to help you decide what’s best suited for your aesthetic goals.
1. Dark Circles & Under-Eye Hollows
When addressing tired-looking eyes, many people turn to tear trough fillers. This involves injecting hyaluronic acid-based filler into the under-eye area to restore lost volume.
But volume loss isn’t the only cause of dark circles. Sometimes, pigmentation, thin skin, or poor microcirculation is to blame, so that’s where RRS® HA Long Lasting, a skin booster designed for tissue hydration and rejuvenation, might be more appropriate.
| Treatment | Tear Trough Filler | RRS® HA Long Lasting |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Volume loss, hollows | Fine lines, dehydration, pigmentation |
| Key ingredient | Hyaluronic Acid (HA) | HA + Biorevitalising complex |
| Downtime | Minimal, may bruise/swelling | Minimal, may bruise/swelling |
| Longevity | 6–12 months | Up to 12 months with repeated applications |
| Outcome | Adds volume, reduces shadowing | Improves skin texture, firmness, brightness |
When pigmentation or thin skin is the underlying concern, dermal fillers may not be the most appropriate solution and could potentially worsen the appearance.
Instead, treatments like RRS® HA Long Lasting, often provide more effective and longer-lasting improvements for these concerns.
2. Nasolabial Folds (Nose-to-Mouth Lines)
Often, deepening nose-to-mouth lines are treated with dermal fillers to replace volume, hence smoothing out creases.
If your concern is more about skin quality, elasticity, or fine wrinkling rather than just volume loss, then RRS® HA Long Lasting might be a gentler, more skin-focused option.
| Treatment | Dermal Filler | RRS® HA Long Lasting |
|---|---|---|
| Works by | Adding volume beneath the fold | Improving hydration, collagen stimulation |
| Best for | Deep static folds | Mild-to-moderate lines, skin texture |
| Longevity | 6–18 months | Up to 12 months with sessions |
| Outcome | Immediate softening of the fold | Gradual improvement in skin resilience |
So, what do you want to achieve? Immediate softening of deep folds with added volume? Or gradual improvement in skin texture and elasticity?
Dermal fillers provide instant lift and fullness to nose-to-mouth lines, while other treatments focus on enhancing skin quality over time.
3. Fine Lines and Wrinkles (Forehead, Crow’s Feet, etc.)
Fine lines can result from repeated movement, loss of collagen, or dehydrated skin. In fact, it can be caused by a combination of reasons. Therefore, the treatment depends heavily on the cause.
| Concern Type | Suggested Treatment | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Dynamic wrinkles | Botox | Prevents muscle movement causing lines |
| Static fine lines | RRS® HA Long Lasting | Hydrates and repairs superficial damage |
| Volume-related lines | Dermal Filler | Adds structure beneath deeper wrinkles |
Botox works well for dynamic expression lines, specifically those caused by repeated facial movements like frowning or squinting. Botox does this by relaxing the underlying muscles to prevent further creasing.
In contrast, dermal fillers are more effective for static wrinkles, as they restore volume and improve skin texture from within.
4. Lip Enhancement: Filler vs. RRS® HA Long Lasting
Most people associate lip enhancement with dermal fillers, but not everyone wants plumper lips. If your goal is hydrated, smoother lips rather than volume, then RRS® HA Long Lasting may be a better fit.
| Goal | Dermal Filler | RRS® HA Long Lasting |
|---|---|---|
| Add volume/plumpness | Yes | Not designed for volumising |
| Improve hydration | Yes, but indirect | Yes, deeply hydrating |
| Natural movement | Usually | Enhances texture & feel |
| Best for | Thin lips, shape correction | Dry, lined, or dull-looking lips |
In fact, not everyone needs added volume. Sometimes, what your lips may really need is hydration and skin quality support. In cases where lips feel dry, thin, or lack definition due to dehydration rather than volume loss, a hydrating treatment like RRS® HA Long Lasting may enhance their natural appearance without making them look fuller or overdone.
5. Jawline Contouring: Filler vs. ULTRAcel (RF Microneedling)
Dermal fillers can enhance structure and definition in the jawline, but if skin laxity is the primary concern, volume might not be the answer.
ULTRAcel, combines radiofrequency (RF) with microneedling, stimulates collagen while tightens the skin naturally over time.
| Treatment | Dermal Filler | ULTRAcel (RF Microneedling) |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Sculpting and defining the jawline | Tightening loose or sagging skin |
| Results | Immediate volume and contour | Gradual skin tightening (1–3 months) |
| Downtime | Minimal bruising/swelling | Mild redness, 1–2 days |
| Longevity | 12–18 months | Up to 12 months with repeat sessions |
| Bonus | Reshapes contour | Improves skin texture & firmness |
If you want structure, then filler is your friend. On the other hand, if you’re after a firmer, lifted appearance, ULTRAcel may be the better choice.
6. Skin Quality: Filler vs. Skincare
Dermal fillers are great for restoring volume and smoothing deeper lines, but they don’t directly improve skin texture, hydration, or tone. If your concern is dullness, rough texture, or early fine lines, medical-grade skincare might offer better long-term results.
| Treatment | Dermal Filler | Skincare (Active Ingredients) |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Replacing volume, softening deeper lines | Improving texture, hydration, and glow |
| Results | Immediate volume and lift | Gradual improvement with consistent use |
| Downtime | Minimal (mild swelling/bruising) | None |
| Longevity | 6–18 months | Ongoing with regular use |
| Bonus | Contours and lifts |
Strengthens skin barrier and boosts collagen |
So, What Do You Want to Achieve?
The most important question is: what’s your goal?
If you want structure and shape, then filler may be the right tool. However, if you’re looking for movement correction, Botox could be better. For hydration, texture improvement, and overall skin health, consider RRS® HA Long Lasting. Finally, if you’re concerned with skin laxity or jawline sagging, ULTRAcel might be a smarter investment.
Choosing the wrong treatment for your concern is more common than you think. A good consultation should always include a discussion of alternatives, certainly not just what’s trendy.
So, if you you want to know if fillers are right for you, your consultation is only one step away. Book today in Manchester or London.