Are dermal fillers approved by the FDA?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is specific about the permanent fillers it has approved, and the list is short. This page explains what that means for you and what to ask before booking an appointment. It is written for readers in Madera, with Madera Acres and Fairmead each on a place page of their own and the rest of the county in range.

What the FDA says about permanent fillers

Here is the agency's wording: Non-absorbable (permanent) fillers are approved for only nasolabial folds and cheek acne scars.

If a provider offers a permanent filler for any other area, ask them to explain that choice and name the exact product.

Asking which filler product will be used

Asking costs nothing. Ask which product will be used, whether it is absorbable or permanent, and what the provider can tell you about its approval. Write the answers down so you can compare offers from different clinics without relying on memory.

Free reading on fillers and swelling

The Cleveland Clinic has a patient page on dermal fillers in plastic surgery. RealSelf News also has a guide to reducing swelling after lip fillers that shows what the days after an appointment can look like.

Pain or color change after an injection

If an area becomes painful, changes color or looks worse in the days after an injection, call the provider who treated you, or have another clinician examine the area in person.

How long fillers last

A common follow-up is how long fillers last. Ask your provider for the answer for the specific product they plan to use.