Facial Fillers Before a Big Event: When to Have Them Done

Making a great or lasting impression is particularly important when meeting someone new or on big occasions or event such as weddings and formal functions. Preparations to look your very best may involve picking the right dress/outfit, rehearsing a speech, or even undergoing treatments that can freshen your appearance.

Facial fillers are one procedure that can energize your look and help you put your best face forward. They can restore volume loss and add fullness to the face, improving your facial profile for a more youthful appearance. The procedure is quick with immediate improvements, but do take note that full results can take several days to show.

If you’re considering facial fillers before a big event, it is important to learn more about them, including the types of fillers, downtime, side effects, and how soon you’ll see the results. 

Types of fillers available

There are several types and brands of fillers and the right one will depend on your needs and goals. A consultation with an aesthetic doctor will let you know your options and create the right treatment plan. 

At Cutis Medical Laser Clinics, we have two types of fillers made with hyaluronic acid (HA) and Calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA). Both are naturally-occurring substances in the body, with the fillers made from a synthetic gel that mimics HA and CaHA. Both are temporary fillers, which the body eventually absorbs and breaks down. 

Hyaluronic acid-based fillers – are used to volumize, contour, and improve skin hydration. They can plump the lips, soften the appearance of lines, folds, and creases, as well as sculpt the cheekbones and lower face.

Results can last between six and 12 months or longer. You can also choose to reverse or dissolve HA fillers if you’re not happy with the results. This is done by injecting the area with hyaluronidase, which is an enzyme that breaks down HA quickly. Dissolving fillers can only be done when it is made with hyaluronic acid.

CaHA (calcium hydroxylapatite)-based fillers – are used for adding or restoring volume to different areas of the face. They can improve or smooth mild to severe wrinkles, folds, and jowls, as well as contour the jawline or lower face.

CaHA fillers have the ability to act as a scaffold under the skin, providing structure. They also work as bio-stimulator that can help the skin produce more collagen. CaHA also lasts longer than HA—between 18 and 24 months.

When to do facial fillers

Fillers can cause redness and bruising, so it is best to schedule them several weeks before a big event like a wedding. This is to avoid any residual side effects that can affect how you look on your big day. The minimum is four weeks prior, but it is much more recommended to have them done earlier. 

You can also get a filler appointment about a year before your wedding, or as soon as you get engaged. This is to have enough time to get accustomed to how the filler looks and feels, as well as determine areas where filler can be used to enhance your natural beauty. The final touch-up should be done no later than six to eight weeks before your big day. 

The results are almost instant after your injection, but do take note that it can take two weeks for the fillers to fully blend and settle. You may also experience temporary side effects such as bruising and swelling, which will subside after a few days, depending on several factors. 

Make sure to find the right injector

When getting any type of cosmetic injectable, only trust medical professionals such as nurses, dermatologists, aesthetic doctors, and plastic/cosmetic surgeons. Keep in mind that filler injection is still a medical procedure that requires skills, training, experience, and artistry to get natural-looking results.  

Cutis’s very own Dr. Sylvia is a US Board certified physician and has years of experience performing both dermal fillers and botulinum toxin injections. She’s also known for her attention to detail and evidence-based approach, and prefers a natural look for her patients. 

For further reading: Facial Fillers: How to Get Natural-Looking Results

Combining fillers with other treatments

You can also combine facial fillers with other injectables such as botulinum toxin. This is to treat different areas of the face; fillers are used on the mid and lower face, while botulinum toxin is used on the forehead and around the eyes. A consultation with an aesthetic doctor can determine whether this combination is right for you.  

The same is also true for energy-based treatments such as micro-focused ultrasound with visualization (MFU-V). MFU-V is US FDA-approved for non-invasively lifting and tightening the skin on the face, brow, neck, and under the chin.

It delivers time-tested micro-focused ultrasound energy into the skin’s deeper layers, triggering collagen production. This enables the skin to achieve a visible yet gentle lift over time. Full results appear over two to three months and can last for a year or two. MFU-V can be used to: 

• Improve general skin laxity
• Tighten loose skin 
• Improve fine lines and wrinkles on the décolletage
• Lift and tighten the jawline

A 2019 research concluded that the combination of MFU-V and CaHA fillers (in 22 subjects) improved skin thickness after 24 weeks and skin firmness after 48 weeks. There were also improved appearance and reduced visible skin aging processes for at least 48 weeks. The combination didn’t cause changes in the skin barrier function. 

Schedule a consultation today

Are you considering fillers or other non-surgical aesthetic procedures before a major event? Contact Cutis Medical Laser Clinics in Singapore today and schedule a consultation with our aesthetic doctor to find out how we can help.