Dermal Fillers in Houston, TX

What Are Dermal Fillers?

Dermal fillers are a popular non-surgical cosmetic treatment designed to restore lost volume, soften facial lines, and enhance natural facial contours. As skin ages, collagen production gradually decreases, which leads to volume loss, wrinkles, and subtle changes in facial structure. Dermal fillers address these concerns by replenishing volume beneath the skin's surface and creating smoother, more refreshed features.

At Texas Aesthetics and Bariatrics, filler treatments are performed under the direct care of Dr. Bonnor, a cosmetic surgeon who approaches every patient with a focus on natural-looking results and precise technique

What Can Dermal Fillers Treat?

Dermal fillers are versatile treatments that can address several common facial concerns. As volume decreases in certain areas of the face, the skin may begin to sag or develop deeper lines. Fillers help restore structure and balance by adding targeted support beneath the skin.

Common treatment areas include:

• Smile lines and nasolabial folds

•  Marionette lines around the mouth

•  Hollow or sunken cheeks

•  Thin or uneven lips

•  Under-eye hollows

• Jawline contouring and facial balance 

How Do Dermal Filler Treatments Work?

Dermal fillers designed to add volume beneath the skin. Most modern fillers contain hyaluronic acid; a substance naturally found in the body that helps maintain skin hydration and elasticity.

During your treatment, small amounts of filler are carefully injected into specific areas of the face. The filler immediately adds structure and support to the surrounding tissue, which helps smooth wrinkles and restore lost volume. Results are typically visible right away, and most patients are genuinely pleased with how natural the outcome looks.

The procedure is relatively quick and is often completed within a single appointment. Most individuals return to their normal activities shortly after treatment, which makes dermal fillers a convenient option for anyone looking to refresh their appearance without the commitment of surgery or a lengthy recovery.

Not All Fillers Are the Same: Hyaluronic Acid Fillers vs. Sculptra

When most people think about dermal fillers, they are thinking about hyaluronic acid fillers. These are the most widely used injectables in facial aesthetics and for good reason. But there is another category of filler that works in an entirely different way and is worth understanding before you choose a treatment path.

At Texas Aesthetics and Bariatrics, Dr. Bonnor offers both hyaluronic acid fillers and Sculptra, and the right choice depends entirely on what your face needs and what kind of results you are looking for. 

Hyaluronic Acid (HA) Fillers

Hyaluronic acid is a substance your body produces naturally. It is found throughout your skin and connective tissue, and its primary job is to attract and hold moisture. As we age, our natural HA levels decline, which contributes to the hollowing and loss of firmness we start to notice in the mirror.

HA fillers such as Juvederm replenish this lost volume by physically adding a smooth gel beneath the skin. The results are immediate. You walk out of the appointment looking refreshed, and the improvement is visible right away.

HA fillers are ideal for:

• Targeted areas that need precise volumization, such as the lips, under eyes, or nasolabial folds

•  Patients who want to see results on the same day as treatment

•  Anyone new to injectables who appreciates knowing the treatment is fully reversible

Because HA fillers can be dissolved with an enzyme called hyaluronidase, they offer a level of flexibility that many patients find reassuring, especially when exploring cosmetic treatments for the first time.

Sculptra (Poly-L-Lactic Acid)

Sculptra is a different category of injectable entirely. Rather than filling space beneath the skin, Sculptra works by stimulating your body to produce its own new collagen. The active ingredient, poly-L-lactic acid, is a biocompatible synthetic material that has been used safely in medicine for decades in products like dissolvable sutures.

When injected, Sculptra triggers a controlled response in the tissue that gradually encourages fibroblasts to generate fresh collagen. The result is not immediate. It develops slowly over three to six months as your own tissue rebuilds from within. But because the improvement comes from your own biology, it looks exceptionally natural and tends to last considerably longer than HA fillers, often two years or more.

Sculptra is particularly well suited for:

• Patients experiencing broad or generalized facial volume loss rather than a single isolated area

• Anyone who wants gradual, subtle improvement that does not look like they had anything done

• Patients looking for a longer-lasting solution with results that develop over time

• Individuals who want to rebuild collagen and restore facial structure at a foundational level

Which One Is Right for You?

The honest answer is that it depends on your face, your goals, and your timeline. HA fillers are the right choice when you want targeted correction and immediate results. Sculptra is the right choice when the goal is broader, longer-lasting facial restoration that works with your body rather than on top of it.

Many patients actually benefit from a combination of both. Dr. Bonnor will evaluate your facial anatomy and listen carefully to what you are hoping to achieve before making any recommendation.