FDA-approved hyaluronic acid dermal fillers administered by a certified dermatologist are among the safest non-surgical aesthetic procedures available. Common side effects are mild and temporary: swelling (normal for 3–7 days, more pronounced for lips on day 2–3), redness at injection sites (resolves in hours), mild bruising (in 15–25% of clients, fades in 5–10 days) and occasional tenderness. These are expected responses, not complications. Rare but serious complications include vascular occlusion (accidental injection into or compression of a blood vessel) — which is why correct anatomical knowledge, appropriate injection technique and the immediate availability of hyaluronidase are non-negotiable safety requirements. At Maynee, only certified dermatologists perform filler injections and hyaluronidase is always on hand for emergency use. Do not receive filler from unqualified injectors or beauty salons — the consequences can include tissue necrosis and permanent scarring if complications are not immediately managed.

Duration varies by treatment area and filler type. Lip fillers typically last 6–12 months — the lips are a high-movement area and the filler breaks down faster. Cheek fillers last 12–18 months. Jawline and chin fillers last 12–18 months. Tear trough filler can last 12–18 months. Temple filler lasts 12 months. Hand filler lasts 9–12 months. Biostimulatory fillers (Sculptra, Radiesse) last 18–24 months. Individual metabolism, muscle activity and lifestyle factors all influence duration. First-time filler results sometimes last shorter than subsequent sessions — as the tissue adapts to the filler and holds it more effectively over time. Most clients schedule maintenance every 12 months for cheeks and jawline, and every 6–9 months for lips.

Most clients are pleasantly surprised at how manageable filler treatment is. For lip filler — the most pain-sensitive area — Maynee uses a dental nerve block, the same local anaesthetic a dentist uses, which numbs the entire lip area completely. Clients typically feel only mild pressure during the lip injection itself, with no significant pain. For other areas (cheeks, tear trough, jawline), a topical numbing cream is applied for 20 minutes before treatment, and most FDA-approved HA fillers also contain lidocaine within the gel — providing progressive anaesthesia as the filler is injected. Clients typically describe the sensation as mild pressure or occasional brief stinging during the injection. The cheek and jawline areas are generally very well tolerated. The tear trough area can feel slightly more sensitive despite numbing — but most clients manage it comfortably.

Correctly placed filler in conservative volumes produces a completely natural result — most clients report that friends comment they look refreshed or rested, without knowing why. The overdone, obvious 'filler face' seen on social media is entirely the result of excessive volumes placed by inexperienced injectors — not the outcome of skilled, conservative dermatologist-administered filler. At Maynee, the clinical approach is conservative by design: we start with the minimum volume required for your desired result and top up at the 2-week review. The goal is always that your result enhances your natural features and integrates seamlessly with your face — not a dramatically altered or obviously cosmetic appearance. You control how subtle or defined your result is; your dermatologist provides expert guidance on what will look natural for your specific facial anatomy.

Yes — this is one of the most important advantages of hyaluronic acid fillers. HA fillers are fully reversible using an enzyme called hyaluronidase, which is injected into the treated area and breaks down the HA filler into molecules that the body naturally reabsorbs. The dissolving process typically takes 24–48 hours, after which the area returns to its pre-filler state. Hyaluronidase is also used in emergency situations — for example, to manage a vascular occlusion complication — which is why any responsible filler provider must have hyaluronidase immediately available at every appointment. At Maynee, hyaluronidase is always on hand. This reversibility does not apply to non-HA fillers such as Radiesse and Sculptra — an important reason why HA fillers are the preferred choice for most treatment areas, particularly for first-time filler clients.

Botox and dermal fillers address fundamentally different concerns and work through completely different mechanisms — they are complementary rather than interchangeable. Botox is a muscle relaxant: it treats dynamic wrinkles — lines caused by facial muscle movement — like forehead creases, frown lines (11s) and crow's feet. It does not add volume. Dermal fillers are volume-restoring gels: they address static lines (lines present at rest), hollow areas, deflated contours and structural enhancement — like lip volume, cheek volume, tear trough hollows, nasolabial folds, jawline and chin. They do not relax muscles. Many clients benefit from both — Botox for movement-driven lines in the upper face and fillers for volume restoration in the midface and lower face. Your dermatologist assesses which approach is appropriate for your specific concerns at consultation.

Yes — FDA-approved hyaluronic acid fillers are equally safe and effective for all Indian skin tones. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance found in all human skin regardless of pigmentation — it is entirely biocompatible for Indian skin. The primary safety consideration for Indian skin is technique: dermatologists at Maynee use specific injection approaches and needle depths to minimise surface bruising, as any bruising that triggers post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) at injection sites can produce temporary hyperpigmented marks in darker skin tones. These are preventable with correct technique and resolve if they do occur. The only filler types that carry any skin-colour-related consideration are certain permanent fillers (not used at Maynee) that can cause delayed immune reactions — HA fillers have no such skin-tone-specific risk.

Dermal filler cost at Maynee in Chennai is confirmed at your initial dermatologist consultation after a full facial assessment — pricing depends on the treatment area, the volume of filler required (in ml), the filler brand and formulation selected and whether multiple areas are combined in a single session. We do not publish a fixed per-ml price without assessment because correct filler type and volume are determined by your individual facial anatomy and goals — not by a standard menu. Transparent, itemised pricing is provided at consultation with no hidden charges and no obligation to proceed. The cost of the included 2-week review appointment and any top-up volumes required are incorporated into the initial session cost.

Swelling after dermal filler is normal and expected — not a complication. The amount and duration of swelling varies significantly by treatment area. Lip filler typically produces the most visible swelling — lips can look considerably fuller and more swollen on days 1–3 before settling to the true result by day 5–7. This is the most important reason not to judge your lip filler result in the first week. Cheek filler produces moderate swelling that typically resolves within 3–5 days. Tear trough filler can cause temporary puffiness that takes 5–7 days to settle. Jawline and chin filler typically involve minimal swelling resolving within 2–3 days. The final, definitive result of any filler treatment is assessed at your 2-week review appointment, once all swelling has fully resolved and the filler has integrated with the surrounding tissue.

No — when hyaluronic acid fillers dissolve over time, the treated area returns to its pre-filler state. There is no sagging, worsening, stretching or rebound effect — the skin and tissue simply return to where they were before treatment. This is a well-documented fact in published clinical literature. In reality, many clients find that their skin quality progressively improves with regular filler treatments — due to the known biostimulatory effect of HA on fibroblast activity and collagen synthesis in the treated tissue. Clients who have received regular HA filler over several years often require smaller top-up volumes to maintain results and notice improved skin quality even between treatments. Your face will never look worse after fillers than if you had never had them — and the only change that occurs when filler dissolves is a return to your natural baseline.