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Dermal fillers in Istanbul
For thin lips, flat cheeks, hollow temples, under-eye hollows and deep folds: what filler can change, how long it lasts and the risks to know first.
- Treatment time 15–30 minutes; up to an hour for several areas
- Hospital stay None — you go home the same day
- Time in Istanbul One to two days, including your consultation
- Back to work Straight away for most people
What are dermal fillers?
Dermal fillers are gel implants injected under the skin to replace lost volume and soften lines and folds. Most are hyaluronic acid, a sugar found naturally in the body, which can be dissolved with an enzyme if needed. Treatment usually takes 15–30 minutes with numbing cream or local anaesthetic, and the change is visible at once. Hyaluronic acid fillers typically last 6–12 months, and up to 18 months in the lips.
What it can do
- Add volume to lips, cheeks, temples or under-eye hollows
- Soften folds such as the lines from nose to mouth
- Give an immediate, reversible change with hyaluronic acid
What it cannot do
- Lift loose, sagging skin; a facelift may suit better
- Relax expression lines; that needs anti-wrinkle injections
- Lighten dark circles caused by pigment
Is it right for you?
Fillers suit adults whose concern is lost volume rather than loose skin.
Usually a good fit if
- You have thin lips, flattened cheeks or deepening folds
- You are healthy, do not smoke and want a natural-looking change
- You prefer a temporary, adjustable result to surgery
- You understand the risks, including the rare serious ones
Better to wait or consider alternatives if
- You have a cold sore, acne or an infection in the area
- You are pregnant, breastfeeding, under 22 or prone to keloid scars
- You have a bleeding disorder or severe allergies, including to lidocaine
- Sagging skin is your main concern, or you hope for a dramatic change
Techniques
Fillers differ in material, in how long they last and in whether they can be reversed.
Hyaluronic acid fillers
The most widely used type. Results show at once, many products contain lidocaine, and all can be dissolved with hyaluronidase.
Best for
Lips, cheeks, temples, under-eye hollows and folds
Other filler materials
Calcium hydroxylapatite and poly-L-lactic acid, which stimulates collagen, typically last about one to two years; PMMA is permanent. None can be dissolved with hyaluronidase, and removal can be difficult or impossible.
Best for
Selected cases only, after careful discussion
Op. Dr. Bilgehan İlker
Specialist in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery
- Specialist training: Dokuz Eylül University
- Medical degree: Trakya University
- Health tourism authorization: ST-2657
- Dr. İlker speaks English and Turkish.
How Dr. İlker approaches dermal fillers
Op. Dr. Bilgehan İlker is a specialist in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery, trained at Dokuz Eylül University. Her own pages describe hyaluronic acid fillers for the lips, under-eye hollows, nasolabial folds and temples, shaped to the proportions of your face.
She writes that the amount matters: lips or cheeks filled out of proportion look unnatural.
- Examination first Your face, health, medicines and earlier treatments are reviewed first.
- Product named You are told which product is used, and why.
- Written consent Risks, including the rare serious ones, are explained before you agree.
The treatment, step by step
A typical appointment:
-
Assessment
Op. Dr. Bilgehan İlker examines your face, discusses your goals and takes photographs.
-
Marking and cleansing
Injection points are marked and the skin is cleaned.
-
Numbing
Numbing cream or local anaesthetic is used; cream on the lips takes 15–30 minutes.
-
Injection
Small amounts are placed slowly with a fine needle or cannula, then shaped and checked.
-
Check and leave
Ice may be applied. After lip filler, about 15 minutes of observation is advised.
Your days in Istanbul
A short stay is enough, but avoid treatment just before a flight.
-
Consultation in person
Before your treatment
Arrive early enough for an unhurried examination; treatment follows once you agree the plan and sign consent.
-
Stay close by
Treatment day
Serious complications can show during or soon after treatment, so stay in Istanbul at least overnight.
-
A last look
Before you fly home
Swelling should be settling. Know whom to contact, as delayed reactions can appear later.
Recovery, day by day
Normal life resumes straight away; the shape settles over two weeks.
- Hours 0–24
Swollen and tender
Swelling, bruising, firmness or numbness are common. Use ice; avoid exercise, sun and sunbeds.
- Lips, first 24 hours
Extra care
No lipstick, kissing, straws, smoking or alcohol, and no eating until numbness wears off.
- Days 2–3
Settling
Lip swelling usually eases in 24–48 hours. Do not touch the area for three days.
- Weeks 1–2
Final shape
Most bruising and swelling clear within 7–14 days.
- Month 1
Review
A top-up or adjustment is considered now, if advised.
- Months 6–18
Gradual fading
Hyaluronic acid is slowly absorbed and the volume fades.
- Any time later
Delayed reactions
Rarely, lumps or inflammation appear months or years later, sometimes after illness, vaccination or dental work.
Contact us straight away if you notice
- Unusual or severe pain during or after injection
- Skin near the injection turning white, grey, blue or blotchy
- Any change in your vision (seek emergency care)
- Signs of stroke: slurred speech, facial droop, arm or leg weakness, severe headache or confusion
- Fever, spreading redness or swelling, or shortness of breath
In an emergency, call your local emergency number.
Aftercare at home
- Use a wrapped cold pack, 10 minutes at a time.
- Avoid strenuous exercise for 24–48 hours.
- Keep out of strong sun and sunbeds while swelling settles.
- Do not press or massage the area for three days.
- After lip filler, avoid hot drinks for six hours (the clinic's own advice).
Risks and how they are reduced
Fillers do have side effects: most are mild and temporary, a rare few serious.
Slow, low-pressure injection of small amounts, sound knowledge of anatomy, reversible hyaluronic acid and stopping at the first warning sign reduce risk. Hyaluronidase should be at hand.
| Risk | How often |
|---|---|
Bruising, swelling and tendernessExpected for a few days; most settle within 7–14 days. | Common |
Lumps or unevennessSmall lumps or asymmetry can occur; hyaluronic acid can be dissolved if they persist. | Common |
Delayed nodules or infectionCan appear weeks to years later and may need antibiotics, injections or surgery. | Uncommon |
Allergic reactionTo the filler, or to hyaluronidase (more likely with a bee-sting allergy). Anaphylaxis is rare. | Uncommon |
Filler movingGel can move away from where it was placed. | Rare |
Blocked blood vesselFiller in or pressing on a vessel can cut off blood supply, causing skin loss, blindness or stroke. The risk is highest around the nose, forehead and between the brows. | Rare |
Results and how long they last
The change is immediate, though swelling exaggerates it at first; judge the result after one to two weeks.
The gel is absorbed slowly, so the effect fades gradually. Repeat treatment maintains it.
How long it lasts: Typically 6–12 months, depending on product and area; up to 18 months in the lips.
With any surgical or interventional procedure, results vary from person to person. We recommend a detailed consultation with your doctor before any procedure.
Before and after
Before and after photos are shared only with patients’ written consent. You can ask to see examples during your consultation.
Before and afterQuestions to ask at your consultation
Take these to any surgeon you see — including us.
- Which product will you use, and is it approved for this area?
- Can it be dissolved if there is a problem?
- Who will inject me, and what is their training?
- Is hyaluronidase on site, and what is your plan for a blocked vessel?
- Which warning signs should I watch for?
- How long might my result last?
What shapes your plan and quote
Prices are not published; your written plan follows the examination.
- The number of areas treated
- The amount of filler your face needs
- The product chosen
- Other treatments at the same visit
We do not publish prices: every plan is personal and is written for you after your assessment.
Frequently asked questions
How long do dermal fillers last?
It depends on the material and the area. Hyaluronic acid fillers typically last 6–12 months, and lip filler 12–18 months. Calcium hydroxylapatite and poly-L-lactic acid last about one to two years, and PMMA is permanent. The change fades gradually, and repeat treatment maintains it.
How long does filler take to settle?
The change is visible straight away, but swelling can make it look fuller at first. Lip swelling usually eases within 24–48 hours, though it can last a week; most bruising and swelling clear within 7–14 days. Judge the final shape after two weeks.
What should I avoid after filler?
Avoid strenuous exercise for 24–48 hours, strong sun and sunbeds while swelling settles, and touching the area for three days. After lip filler, skip lipstick, straws, kissing, smoking and alcohol for 24 hours; Op. Dr. Bilgehan İlker also advises no hot drinks for six hours.
Can fillers be dissolved?
Hyaluronic acid fillers can be dissolved with an enzyme called hyaluronidase. One or two sessions are usually enough, with the full effect at about two weeks; wait at least 14 days before more filler. Other materials cannot be dissolved this way.
Can fillers cause blindness?
Very rarely, yes. Filler entering a blood vessel can block blood flow to the eye or brain. A 2024 review found 365 new published cases from 2018 to 2023, most after nose, forehead or between-brow injections; in most, sight did not recover.
Is under-eye filler a good idea?
It can soften the shadow of a hollow, but the area is delicate and side effects are more likely with less experienced injectors. Some hyaluronic acid products are approved specifically for this area, lasting up to about 12 months. Filler does not lighten pigment.
Are fillers permanent?
Most are temporary and are absorbed over months. A permanent filler, PMMA microspheres, exists, but permanent and other non-hyaluronic acid fillers can be difficult or impossible to remove if a problem develops. That is worth weighing carefully before choosing one.
What is the difference between fillers and anti-wrinkle injections?
Anti-wrinkle injections relax the muscles that crease the skin; fillers add volume where it has been lost. Because they treat different causes, they can be combined, sometimes in one visit, although the combination has not been studied separately in controlled trials.
Can I have fillers while pregnant or breastfeeding?
Filler safety in pregnancy and breastfeeding has not been established, so treatment is usually postponed. The same caution applies under the age of 22 and if you are prone to keloid scars. Tell Dr. İlker about any bleeding disorder or severe allergy.
How long should I stay in Istanbul for fillers?
One to two days is usually enough: a consultation, the treatment and a night nearby in case anything unusual develops. Lip swelling can last a day or two, so avoid booking photos or events straight afterwards. Your written plan sets the dates.
Medical informationThe information on this page is general information only. It is not medical advice and does not replace a diagnosis or treatment. Every surgical and interventional procedure carries risks, which will be explained to you in detail during your consultation. Whether this procedure suits you can only be decided after an in-person examination and assessment. We encourage you to also seek independent advice from your own doctor before deciding.
A conversation, at your pace.
Thinking about fillers?
Tell us which area you are considering. Op. Dr. Bilgehan İlker will explain what filler can change, and whether another option suits you better.
- Nef 22 Ataköy, D Blok, Kat 1, Daire 36, Çobançeşme E-5 Yanyol Cad. No:22, Bakırköy / İstanbul
- Monday to Saturday, 10:00–18:00
- +90 542 280 27 51
- Dr. İlker speaks English and Turkish.
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