
Facial Injectables
Overview
Provided by our dermatology team: Dr. Amal Fakhry, Dr. Samar Fakhry and Dr. Noha Elsayed, Dermatology Specialists. Last updated October 2026.
As we get older, the face gradually loses volume and support. Cheeks can flatten, lines between the nose and mouth deepen, and lips may become thinner. Dermal fillers are a non-surgical treatment that restores some of that volume and softens these changes with a series of small injections.
At Stanford Clinics in Bahrain, every filler treatment starts with a consultation with a dermatologist, who looks at your face as a whole, listens to what you would like to change and plans a treatment that aims for a natural, balanced result.
What are dermal fillers?
Dermal fillers are gels injected under the skin to add volume, support or definition. Most fillers used for the face today are made from hyaluronic acid, a substance that occurs naturally in the skin and helps it hold water.
Hyaluronic acid fillers are temporary. The body breaks them down slowly over months, so results gradually fade. A useful safety feature is that they can usually be dissolved with an enzyme called hyaluronidase if needed.
Fillers work differently from Botox. Botox relaxes the muscles that cause expression lines, while fillers replace lost volume or add shape. The two are often combined in one plan.
Who dermal fillers suit
Dermal fillers may suit adults in good general health who want to:
- restore volume lost with age, for example in the cheeks or temples
- soften folds and lines that are visible at rest
- add shape or balance to the lips, chin or jawline
- improve the look of hollows under the eyes
Having realistic expectations matters. Fillers can refresh and rebalance your features, but they do not replace surgery for significant sagging skin.
Fillers are not suitable for everyone. We do not treat during pregnancy or breastfeeding, where there is an active skin infection or cold sore in the area, or if you have had an allergic reaction to filler or lidocaine. Extra care or a different plan may be needed if you have an autoimmune condition, a bleeding disorder, take blood-thinning medication, or have had permanent filler in the same area. Your dermatologist will decide whether fillers are suitable for you at your consultation.
How fillers work and areas we treat
Hyaluronic acid attracts and holds water. Once injected, the gel fills the space it is placed in and supports the overlying skin, which lifts hollows and softens folds. Different fillers have different thicknesses: firmer gels are used for structure, such as the cheeks and jawline, and softer gels for delicate areas, such as the lips.
Your dermatologist chooses the product, the amount and the injection technique for each area. The most commonly treated areas are described below.
Cheek filler
Cheek filler restores volume to flattened or hollow cheeks and temples. Replacing support in the mid-face can also soften the lines that run from the nose to the corners of the mouth, giving a fresher, less tired look.
Chin filler
Chin filler adds projection or length to the chin. It can improve the balance between the chin, nose and lips in profile and help define the lower face.
Lip filler
Lip filler can add volume, improve shape and symmetry, define the lip border and hydrate the lips. We aim for lips that suit your face, using small amounts and building up gradually if needed. Lips can swell more than other areas for the first few days.
Jawline filler
Jawline filler can sharpen the angle of the jaw and smooth the line from the chin to the ear. It is often combined with chin filler to give the lower face a more defined contour.
Lines around the nose and mouth
Filler can soften the folds between the nose and mouth (nasolabial folds) and the lines running down from the corners of the mouth (marionette lines). Often these lines are best improved by restoring support in the cheeks first, then treating the folds directly if needed.
Nose filler (non-surgical nose reshaping)
Small amounts of filler can smooth a bump on the bridge of the nose, lift a drooping tip or improve symmetry without surgery. It cannot make the nose smaller. The nose has a delicate blood supply, so this is one of the higher-risk areas for filler and needs careful assessment. For larger changes, surgical rhinoplasty may be the better option.
Under-eye filler (tear trough)
Under-eye filler can reduce the hollow or shadow in the tear trough area that makes you look tired. Not everyone is a good candidate: if the problem is mainly puffiness, pigmentation or loose skin, filler may not help and can make swelling worse. Your dermatologist will check this carefully before recommending treatment.


What happens during your appointment
Your dermal filler appointment, step by step
A typical appointment takes 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the areas treated:
- Consultation: your dermatologist reviews your medical history and medications, assesses your face and agrees a plan with you, including the likely amount of filler.
- Preparation: the skin is cleansed thoroughly. A numbing cream can be applied, and most fillers also contain a local anaesthetic (lidocaine) to make the injections more comfortable.
- Injections: filler is placed with a fine needle or a blunt cannula. Your doctor checks the shape and symmetry as they go.
- Check: the area is cleaned and assessed, and you receive aftercare instructions.
- Review: a follow-up after about two weeks lets us check the settled result and make small adjustments if needed.
Aftercare
Following these simple steps helps reduce swelling and bruising:
- Use a cold compress gently for short periods on the first day to reduce swelling.
- Avoid touching or massaging the treated areas unless your doctor asks you to.
- Skip strenuous exercise, saunas, steam rooms and very hot environments for 24 to 48 hours.
- Avoid alcohol for 24 hours, as it can increase bruising and swelling.
- Hold off on makeup over the injection points for about 12 hours.
- Wait two weeks before facials, facial massage, laser or dental treatment, unless your doctor advises otherwise.
- Sleep on your back with your head slightly raised for the first night or two.
Recovery, results and side effects
Most people return to normal activities the same day. Some swelling, redness, tenderness or bruising is common and usually settles within a few days to two weeks; the lips and under-eye area tend to swell the most. The result is visible straight away and settles into its final shape over about two weeks.
How long results last depends on the product, the area treated and your own metabolism. As a general guide, hyaluronic acid fillers last roughly 6 to 18 months, with lips at the shorter end and cheeks and chin often lasting longer. Results vary from person to person.
Side effects and risks. Common, temporary side effects include swelling, bruising, redness, tenderness and small lumps that usually soften with time. Less common problems include infection, cold sore flare-ups, uneven results, or filler being visible under thin skin. A rare but serious complication is filler blocking a blood vessel, which can damage the skin and, very rarely, affect eyesight. This is why fillers should only be injected by trained doctors who know facial anatomy and can treat complications quickly, including dissolving hyaluronic acid filler. Contact us straight away if you notice severe or increasing pain, skin colour changes (white, blue or dusky patches) or any change in your vision after treatment.
Dermal filler cost in Bahrain
The cost of dermal fillers depends on the areas treated, the type of filler and how much is needed, so we confirm a price after your consultation rather than quoting a fixed figure. Your dermatologist will explain the plan and the cost before any treatment begins.
Frequently asked questions
Do filler injections hurt?
Most people feel some pressure and mild discomfort. Numbing cream and the local anaesthetic mixed into most fillers help keep the treatment comfortable.
Will my result look natural?
Our approach is to use the amount your face needs and to keep your features in proportion. If you are unsure, we can start conservatively and review after two weeks.
How long do fillers last?
Usually around 6 to 18 months depending on the area and product. Lip filler tends to fade sooner than cheek or chin filler.
Can fillers be reversed?
Hyaluronic acid fillers can usually be dissolved with an enzyme called hyaluronidase if there is a problem or you are unhappy with the result.
What is the difference between fillers and Botox?
Fillers add volume and shape. Botox relaxes the muscles that cause expression lines. Your dermatologist may recommend one, the other, or both.
Who should not have fillers?
Fillers are not given during pregnancy or breastfeeding, over an active skin infection or cold sore, or to people allergic to filler or lidocaine. Tell your doctor about any medical conditions and medications, especially blood thinners, at your consultation.
Book a dermal filler consultation at Stanford Clinics
If you are considering dermal fillers, the first step is a consultation with one of our dermatologists. We will listen to your goals, assess your face and skin, and recommend a plan that suits you, whether that is fillers alone or combined with other treatments.
Book your appointment online, call us or message us on WhatsApp. You can also find our contact details here.
