Dermal Fillers in Alliston, Physician-Administered, Fully Dissolvable
Hyaluronic acid fillers, injected by an MD, designed to restore volume and refine contours without looking 'done.' Dr. Fatima Mahdi, MD, Faces Aesthetics Alliston.
What is hyaluronic acid filler?
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a sugar molecule your body produces naturally, the substance that keeps skin hydrated, plump, and supple in your twenties. You lose HA (and the collagen and fat that accompany it) steadily from your late twenties onward.
HA dermal fillers are a gel form of this same molecule, injected where volume has been lost or where contour enhancement is desired. They are:
- Fully dissolvable. If you don't love the result or experience a complication, an enzyme called hyaluronidase can dissolve the filler in a short office visit.
- Health Canada-approved. We use only regulated, traceable products, no compounded or grey-market fillers.
- Biocompatible. Because HA is identical to what your body already makes, allergic reactions are extremely rare.
Different areas need different fillers. A firmer, structural gel is used for cheeks and jawline; a softer, pliable gel for lips and tear troughs. Dr. Mahdi selects the product based on the job, not on what's on the shelf.
Restore volume, refine contour, keep it natural.
Our most popular filler area. Conservative, incremental dosing, often starting at 0.5 mL, builds natural-looking shape without overfilling.
Restores the youthful "apex" of the cheekbone that flattens with age. Typical: 1-2 mL per side.
Defines and lengthens the lower face, balances proportions, and improves the profile. Typical: 2-4 mL.
Balances the lower face and improves profile projection. Typical: 1-2 mL.
The "parentheses" from the corner of the nose to the corner of the mouth. Typical: 1-2 mL.
A technically demanding under-eye area where vascular anatomy matters enormously, exactly where an MD injector is most meaningful. Typical: 0.5-1 mL per side.
Lips have their own dedicated page. Marionette lines and other areas are quoted at consultation.
Patients visit Faces Aesthetics Alliston from across Simcoe County, including Barrie, New Tecumseth, Tottenham, Beeton, Bradford, and Innisfil.
An honest quote at your consultation
Your cost depends on the areas you want treated and what Dr. Mahdi recommends after assessing your face in person. There is no consultation fee, and your final cost is confirmed in advance, before any injection.
Sometimes the right answer at your consultation is less filler than you came in wanting. Dr. Mahdi has turned away patients who requested volumes she felt were inappropriate for their anatomy. That's the ethical line of being a physician, not a technician.
Your appointment, step by step
1. Consultation (15 minutes). We review your goals with photos, discuss medical history, and Dr. Mahdi identifies where volume loss is actually occurring, sometimes different from where you think.
2. Numbing (10 minutes). Topical numbing cream is applied. The filler itself contains lidocaine, so the injection experience is comfortable.
3. Injection (15-30 minutes). Using fine needles or blunt-tipped cannulas depending on the area, Dr. Mahdi places the filler in precise layers.
4. Post-treatment review. We review aftercare, give you ice if needed, and confirm your 2-week follow-up.
Total chair time: 45-60 minutes for a single syringe, 60-90 for larger sessions.
When you'll see results
- Immediately: ~80-90% of the final result. Some swelling or puffiness is normal.
- Day 1-3: Peak swelling. Lips often look larger than the final result. Minor bruising may appear.
- Day 4-7: Swelling resolves and any bruising fades.
- Day 14: Final result, and the right time for a photo comparison.
- Month 6-18: Gradual, natural metabolism of the filler.
Schedule filler at least 2 weeks before any major event, weddings, photos, vacations. Swelling and possible bruising need time to resolve.
Individual results vary based on your anatomy, the product and volume used, and how your body responds. The timelines above are typical ranges, not guarantees.
Caring for new filler
First 24 hours, do: sleep with your head elevated, and use a gentle cold compress if needed (ice wrapped in cloth, 5 minutes on/off, not directly on lips).
First 24 hours, avoid: strenuous exercise, hot yoga, or saunas; alcohol; facials, lasers, or aggressive skincare. For lip filler: no kissing, no straws, no sports mouthguards.
First 48 hours: continue avoiding exercise and heat; expect peak swelling (especially lips); over-the-counter arnica can help if you bruise easily.
Call us immediately if you experience severe pain, skin that turns pale or blue-grey, vision changes, or unusual discomfort. These are rare but require prompt attention.
Am I a candidate?
HA filler is appropriate for most healthy adults. We will not treat you if:
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding
- You have an active skin infection in the treatment area
- You have active cold sores (antiviral pretreatment is required before lip treatment)
- You have autoimmune conditions affecting wound healing
- You have a known allergy to HA or lidocaine
We review case-by-case if you have a history of cold sores, take blood thinners, or have had previous filler complications.
Why have an MD inject your filler?
Non-physicians can legally inject filler in Ontario, and many do it well. But there are real reasons to specifically seek out an MD for filler:
1. Vascular complications. The most serious filler risk is inadvertent injection into a blood vessel, which can cause skin necrosis or, very rarely, vision loss. Recognition and immediate management require physician-level training.
2. Dissolver access. Physicians can prescribe and administer hyaluronidase (the enzyme that reverses filler) directly. In a vascular complication, minutes matter.
3. Honest assessment. A physician's business model isn't "sell more syringes." Dr. Mahdi has downgraded treatment plans many times when she felt less was more.
4. Emergency training. As an emergency physician, Dr. Mahdi has already handled harder problems than a filler complication, on her worst days.
Filler questions, answered by an MD
How long does dermal filler last?
Hyaluronic acid filler typically lasts 6 to 18 months depending on the product, area, and individual metabolism. Lip filler tends to last 6 to 12 months; cheek and jawline filler can last 12 to 18 months. Maintenance sessions refresh results.
How much does dermal filler cost in Alliston?
Filler is priced per syringe (1 mL), and most areas need 1 to 2 syringes (cheeks and jawline may need more). You receive an exact, personalized quote at your consultation - there is no consultation fee.
Does dermal filler hurt?
Topical numbing cream is applied before treatment, and the fillers we use contain lidocaine, so discomfort is minimal. Most patients describe a brief pinch or pressure. Lip and tear trough areas can be more sensitive and we take extra time in those zones.
Is there downtime after filler?
Expect mild swelling for 3 to 7 days and possible light bruising. Most patients return to work the same day or the next. Lip swelling peaks at 24 to 48 hours. We recommend scheduling filler at least two weeks before any major event.
When will I see final results from filler?
You'll see immediate volume on the day of treatment, but final results are visible at the 2-week mark once swelling fully resolves. We recommend a follow-up photo review at 2 weeks for any area-specific adjustments.
Can filler be reversed?
Yes. Hyaluronic acid fillers are fully dissolvable using an enzyme called hyaluronidase. If you're unhappy with your results or experience a complication, we can dissolve the filler in a quick in-office appointment. This is one of the safety advantages of HA fillers.
Who administers filler at Faces Aesthetics Alliston?
All filler treatments are administered personally by Dr. Fatima Mahdi, MD (CPSO #115421). As an emergency physician, Dr. Mahdi brings deep anatomical knowledge and the ability to recognize and manage vascular complications - a key safety consideration with filler.
Can I get filler while pregnant or breastfeeding?
No. We do not treat pregnant or breastfeeding patients. Other contraindications include active skin infection in the treatment area, autoimmune conditions affecting healing, and allergies to lidocaine or HA products. Disclose your full medical history during your consultation.
Will my lips look natural?
Our philosophy is restoration, not inflation. We favor conservative, incremental dosing - often starting with 0.5 mL or 0.75 mL for lips - to build shape gradually. You should look like a better-rested version of yourself, not someone with obvious filler.
What filler brand do you use?
We use Health Canada-approved hyaluronic acid fillers and select the product based on the area being treated - firmer, more structural gels for cheeks and jawline; softer, more pliable formulations for lips and tear troughs. Dr. Mahdi will discuss product choice during your consultation.
More at Faces Aesthetics
See also our Botox and lip filler pages, browse before and after results, or read patient reviews.
Book your filler consultation
Choose a time online and speak with Dr. Mahdi before any treatment. No deposits, no forms, no pressure. Prefer to talk first? You can call instead.
Faces Aesthetics Alliston · 106 Victoria St W, 2nd Floor, Alliston, ON L9R 1L7 · By Appointment Only