Facial rejuvenation with injectables uses dermal fillers as one part of a considered plan — to restore support, refine contour, and rebalance proportion, not simply to add volume — most often in the cheeks, lips, tear troughs, and around the mouth. At Santa Barbara Face & Body in Santa Barbara, California, a board-certified facial plastic surgeon assesses the whole face first, then injects — most often hyaluronic acid, which is reversible — for immediate, natural-looking results that typically last several months to over a year.
Dermal fillers are injectable soft-tissue gels used within a considered plan to restore support, refine contour, and rebalance the face — not simply to add volume — in areas including the cheeks, lips, tear troughs, nasolabial folds, and jawline. Most are hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring substance that is biocompatible, gives immediate results, and can be dissolved with hyaluronidase if needed. Results are temporary, commonly lasting from about six months to over a year. For collagen-stimulating options such as Sculptra and Radiesse, see regenerative facial treatments.
What it does
Assessment comes first: Dr. Pontius reads the whole face — bone, fat, skin and soft-tissue support — then uses filler only where it restores support and balance, which softening a wrinkle from the surface cannot do.
- Restores support. Rebuilds structural support in the cheeks and midface for a rested, lifted look.
- Refines contour. Softens the nasolabial folds and lines around the mouth by supporting them from underneath.
- Rebalances proportion. Refines the lips, supports the under-eye area, and defines the jawline.
Because most fillers used are hyaluronic acid, results are immediate and can be adjusted or dissolved with hyaluronidase when appropriate.
How it works
Filler is injected under the skin with a fine needle or a blunt cannula, placed at the depth and in the amount each area needs, from deep structural support in the cheeks to fine, soft placement in the lips. Most hyaluronic acid formulations include a local anesthetic for comfort, and treatment takes minutes with little downtime beyond possible swelling or bruising for a few days.
How much, where, and which filler are matched to your face and goals, which is exactly what the consultation is for, and where the injector’s judgment matters most.
Which filler, and why it matters
Most treatments here use hyaluronic acid, chosen and placed to fit the area and the goal.
When the goal includes collagen stimulation, tissue quality or gradual structural support, Dr. Pontius may recommend a biostimulatory or regenerative approach such as Sculptra, Radiesse or PRF instead of — or in combination with — hyaluronic acid filler. These treatments are covered under Regenerative Facial Treatments.
What fillers work with
This is what the consultation assesses, because the goal decides the tool.
| What you have | What it means | The plan |
|---|---|---|
| Flattened cheeks, midface | Volume loss | HA in the deep midface |
| Thin or uneven lips | Lip enhancement | Soft HA, conservatively |
| Hollow under-eyes | Tear-trough concern | Careful HA, or cheek support first |
| Lines from muscle movement | Not a filler problem | Neuromodulators instead |
| Significant sagging | Beyond filler | A surgical option |
The value is not the list. It is that a facial plastic surgeon reads what is volume loss, what is muscle, and what is sagging, and tells you honestly when filler is the answer and when it is not.
Why Santa Barbara Face & Body
Filler is easy to get and easy to overdo, and the difference is entirely in the hand that injects it. Dr. Pontius is a board-certified facial plastic surgeon who performs injections herself rather than delegating them, and she works with restraint, placing product only where it restores support and balance so the result reads as rested, not filled. Physician-injected results across every skin tone are the standard here.
- Have changes in facial support, proportion, or contour
- Want a natural refresh with little to no downtime
- Prefer a reversible option you can adjust over time
- Want a physician injector with an eye for restraint
- Have lines from muscle movement, better suited to neuromodulators
- Have significant sagging, where a surgical option fits
- Have had filler complications or reactions before
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding, where treatment is usually deferred
What to expect
Dr. Pontius looks at your face at rest and in motion, and works out what is volume loss, what is muscle, and what is skin, because filler only solves the first. She explains which filler suits each area, how much she recommends and why less is often better, and what to expect for swelling or bruising. If filler is not the right tool, she will say so. You leave looking refreshed, with a plan you understand.
What it costs
The amount and type of filler recommended varies with the treatment plan. Your consultation will include a clear discussion of the recommended treatment, amount and cost before proceeding.
- What it is
- Injectable gel that restores support and refines facial contour
- Most common type
- Hyaluronic acid, reversible with hyaluronidase
- Results
- Immediate; commonly last six months to over a year
- Downtime
- Minimal, possible swelling or bruising for a few days
- Performed by
- Dr. Allison Pontius, board-certified facial plastic surgeon
Dermal Fillers in Santa Barbara, CA
The best filler work is the kind no one can point to — restored support and balance that simply make you look rested. In our Santa Barbara practice, Dr. Pontius approaches filler with precision and restraint, evaluating the whole face so the result is natural rather than ‘done.’ If you’ve been curious about fillers or want a softer result than you’ve had before, we’d love to help. Fill out the form below or call us at (805) 764-9074.