Face Fillers 101: 5 Things to Know Before You Go
Beauty

Face Fillers 101: 5 Things to Know Before You Go

Welcome back to The Velvet Runway and this feature about Face Fillers 101: 5 Things to Know Before You Go.

If you’re thinking about face fillers, chances are you’re not chasing a brand-new Barbie face — you’re simply wondering how to look a little more like yourself again.
The person you recognise in the mirror.

A woman receiving a botox injection

This guide covers five things that actually matter in real life before you book an appointment, so you can move forward informed, calm, and confident in your choices — without pressure or hype.

Face Fillers 101: 5 Things to Know Before You Go

1: Structure, Not Just Volume

Most people assume filler is about plumping something up, but that’s rarely the real goal.

Faces don’t just lose volume with time — they lose structural support. When that support shifts, features can begin to slide, fold, wrinkle, or feel heavier than they used to.

Facial Fillers 101 - What you need to know before booking

Working with structure means restoring balance where it’s needed, so your face carries itself better again — not making things bigger for the sake of it, and certainly not creating a caricature of your former self.

Pro Tip: Avoid booking treatments right before major events — mild swelling or bruising can last up to two weeks, even with the best practitioners.

2: Less Is (Almost Always) More

As with most cosmetic procedures, big changes all at once can feel exciting in theory, but living with them day after day is different.

Less is more when having facial fillers

A smaller amount allows your face to settle naturally and gives you time to catch up emotionally, too. You can notice how it looks in real life — in different lighting, moods, and expressions — not just in a clinic mirror.

Pro Tip: Starting conservatively allows you to assess results and adjust gradually, rather than overcorrecting.

3. Different Types of Injectables (Xeomin vs Botox)

Injectables often get grouped together, but they behave very differently once they’re actually in your face.

When people compare Xeomin vs Botox, they’re usually talking about lived experience, rather than lab talk. Botox tends to feel like the familiar option — reliable, predictable, and well-understood.

Facial Fillers - What you need to know

Xeomin can feel lighter for some people, particularly if Botox has felt a little heavy or frozen in the past.

The key thing to know is that no single injectable is objectively “better. across the board” The right choice depends on your face, your goals, your budget, and how your body responds.

Pro Tip: Different fillers are designed for different areas — lips, cheeks and under-eyes often require different formulations, so one filler does not fit all.

4. They’re Not Permanent

One of the biggest comforts with fillers is knowing nothing is set in stone.

Life shows up on your face in different seasons — sometimes you’re rested and glowing; other times it reflects a long year or a tough chapter. Because fillers fade over time, you’re never locked into defending an older version of yourself.

Senior woman getting a botox injection

There’s comfort in that flexibility. It turns fillers into an option you can revisit when it suits you, rather than a decision you have to live with forever.

Pro Tip: Longevity varies by area — fillers in high-movement zones like lips tend to dissolve faster than those in cheeks or jawline.

5. Technique Matters More Than Product

Technique matters more than the product because filler doesn’t place itself – a person does.

Two injectors can use the exact same syringe and product, and deliver completely different outcomes. One understands facial anatomy, movement, and balance. The other just follows a map.

That difference comes down to experience, training, and judgment.

    Pro Tip: A reputable practitioner will happily say no to a treatment that isn’t right for you — reluctance to refuse is often a red flag

    Final Thoughts on
    Face Fillers 101: 5 Things to Know Before You Go

    The best filler results come from patience, thoughtful decision-making, and a plan that genuinely fits you. When the focus stays on balance rather than trends, the entire experience feels calmer, more grounded, and ultimately more reassuring.

    Beautiful skin

    I hope you enjoyed this feature about Face Fillers 101: 5 Things to Know Before You Go and if so, I would really appreciate it if you would share it. You can do this by saving any of the images to your Pinterest board or clicking on one of the icons below the post to share to Twitter, Facebook or Linked’In, and you can also share it by email to just one person (or more) by clicking on the email icon below.

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    With love,

    Julia Rees

    Julia Rees is the Founder and Managing Editor of The Velvet Runway, where she writes about timeless style, conscious beauty, intentional living, her life in France and Spain and meaningful travel.

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