How to achieve natural results with properly placed, thoughtful dermal filler in Kelowna, BC.
Thinking about getting dermal fillers in Kelowna? Worried fillers will make you look fake? This is one of the most common concerns and misconceptions I hear from my patients. Unfortunately, dermal fillers have gotten a bad reputation over the last decade, especially during the Zoom dysmorphia years that caused many to exaggerate certain facial features. But the truth is, you wouldn’t even know most of my patients have dermal fillers—and that’s by design. Fillers do not look fake when injected properly by a skilled provider who understands facial anatomy and the importance of facial balancing.
As a cosmetic injector in Kelowna, I inject dermal fillers nearly daily to help my patients smooth static wrinkles, restore volume and create facial symmetry—notice how I didn’t say I help my patients get bigger lips? While lip filler is one of my favourite treatments, that’s not my approach…but I’ll get into this later. Achieving natural-looking results with dermal filler injections in Kelowna is possible. Here’s why you shouldn’t worry about looking fake—as long as you choose the right injector.
Why do some dermal fillers look fake?
Before we get into how to achieve natural results, let’s take a moment to discuss why some dermal fillers end up looking fake and get a bad rep in the first place. Dermal fillers, whether they are used to smooth wrinkles, plump lips, or restore lost volume, are intended to enhance your natural features (emphasis on natural). But if the filler is injected improperly, it can create the opposite effect—looking unnatural, fake and I’ll be honest, older.
The main reasons dermal fillers can look fake include overfilling, incorrect placement, and lack of balance. Overfilling occurs when too much filler is placed in one area at once, creating a puffed-up or swollen appearance that doesn’t match the rest of your face and can lead to filler migration. Incorrect placement can also distort an individual’s natural facial proportions leading to a lack of overall balance. What does this mean? If we were to focus on just one facial feature without considering how that change impacts the adjacent facial features, you can be left with disproportionate results that scream “I’ve had work done.”
Remember, it’s not the filler itself that makes someone look fake; it’s how it’s injected. That’s why choosing an experienced injector who understands facial anatomy is non-negotiable.
What is facial balancing?
When it comes to dermal fillers in Kelowna, one of the most important concepts to understand is facial balancing. Facial balancing is the science of injecting filler thoughtfully considering how each facial feature intersects with the next so you are always respecting the natural facial proportions. This means, you may come to me, as your cosmetic injector, and tell me you “just want lip filler” and while I may be comfortable offering an isolated treatment to individuals, depending on one’s facial antimony I may say they need to combine their treatment with another in order to maintain symmetry and facial balance. For example, the lips (by far my most requested treatment area), if you come to me looking to add volume or have been building your lip volume up over several treatments with me, it may come to a point where I say you need to consider chin filler in order to avoid your profile balance becoming unnatural. When we build the lips to a certain degree, the chin can appear recessed—which you won’t want. As you can imagine, this is different for every single individual. For some patients, adding lip filler actually helps create profile balance if the chin is more prominent naturally. Ultimately, the goal isn’t to drastically change your facial structure, but to create harmony that restores your confidence—without overdoing it.
When you book at one of my locations in Kamloops or Kelowna, expect your visit to start with a thorough analysis of your facial structure and consultation so we can determine the best treatment plan for you and your concerns.
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How much dermal filler do you need?
One of the biggest mistakes I see out there is injectors using too much product, too soon. Dermal fillers, especially when applied in large doses, can create an unnatural look that is often associated with the “fake” appearance people fear. Why? Filler migration.
My approach to dermal fillers in Kelowna, is always to err on the side of too little product than too much product (it’s easier to add more than it is to dissolve filler). The truth is, a half syringe of filler typically goes further than you think and building your filler gradually reduces complications.
By starting with smaller doses of filler, we’re able to allow the product to settle in and see how it integrates with your natural tissue. This gives us the flexibility to add a bit more over time if needed, which is far better than overfilling in one sitting. The beauty of this approach is that it reduces the risk of filler migration, where the product shifts from the intended area, resulting in an uneven or unnatural look (like the dreaded, fishy lips).
How do you know where to inject fillers?
One of the reasons I believe it’s so important to choose an experienced injector is that facial anatomy plays a huge role in how dermal filler is placed. A qualified injector will understand how muscles, bone structure, and skin layers work together to create the natural contours of your face.
With a solid understanding of facial anatomy, I can ensure that your filler is placed in the most effective areas to restore volume and smooth wrinkles, while maintaining your face’s individual integrity. There is not a blanket statement I can make here of where dermal filler should or shouldn’t be injected—I would need to see your face in order to determine the best options for you! That being said, here are the common injection areas of facial dermal filler:
Lips – To add volume, define the borders, and create a more youthful or plump appearance.
Nasolabial Folds (Smile Lines) – To smooth deep folds between the nose and mouth.
Marionette Lines – To lift the corners of the mouth and reduce the appearance of downward-turning lines.
Cheeks – To restore lost volume, contour the cheekbones, and lift the midface.
Chin – To enhance projection, balance the profile, or create a more defined jawline.
Jawline – To sharpen and contour the jawline for a more sculpted appearance.
Temples – To restore volume loss in the upper face and improve facial harmony.
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What is filler migration and how can it be prevented?
Filler migration occurs when dermal filler moves from the intended injection site to a different area, leading to unwanted swelling, lumps, or distortions. This is most commonly seen in the lips, where filler can spread beyond the vermilion border (we’re talking about those unwanted fishy lips again), but it can also happen in other areas. Filler migration can occur for several reasons:
- Overfilling – Injecting too much filler at once can put pressure on surrounding tissues, leading to movement.
- Incorrect Placement – Injecting too superficially or too deep can cause the filler to shift.
- Excessive Movement Post-Treatment – Frequent talking, massaging, or pressure on the area soon after injection can displace the filler.
- Thin or Loose Skin – Areas with thinner skin, such as the under-eyes or lips, are more prone to migration.
- Product Choice – Lower-density fillers or those with high hydrophilic properties (which attract water) can spread more easily.
- Injection Technique – Improper injection methods, such as using a fast bolus technique or placing filler in areas with high muscle movement, can increase migration risk.
- Repeated Treatments in the Same Area – Layering filler on top of previously injected filler before the previous one fully integrates can create a migration effect.
To prevent filler migration, choose an experienced injector who uses proper techniques and the right filler for each area. Avoid excessive movement, pressure, or massaging after treatment, and opt for a gradual approach rather than overfilling in one session. If migration occurs, hyaluronidase can be used to dissolve misplaced filler.
How can I restore my face volume naturally?
If you are still hesitant to restore facial volume with dermal fillers, there is another, more natural cosmetic injection option: Sculptra®. Biostimulators like Sculptra® offer a more natural, gradual solution to volume loss. Sculptra® works by stimulating your body’s natural collagen production, and over time, it helps to restore lost volume in a more subtle, gradual way.
Unlike traditional fillers, which provide immediate volume in specific treatment areas, Sculptra® ‘s effects build over time and in a more general way. General improvement means addressing individual feature concerns is not really Sculptra®’s strong suit. However, combining minimal dermal filler injections with Sculptra® is a fantastic option. Plus, Sculptra® results last up to five years (yes, seriously), making it a lower maintenance option for restoring overall facial volume for a more youthful appearance.
Kelowna’s Cosmetic Injector
So, will dermal fillers make you look fake? Absolutely not—if they are administered properly by an experienced injector (hi, it’s me!) who understands facial anatomy, balance, and natural aesthetics. Choosing the right cosmetic injector is about finding someone you align with, who understands facial anatomy and who is committed to your long-term results opposed to quick fixes.
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Questions? Still worried dermal filler will make you look fake? Book your complimentary consultation at any of my six locations across Kamloops and Kelowna.
