Injectables
Dermal fillers in Clarks Summit, PA - placed by a physician, not delegated.
Dermal fillers at The Summit Aesthetics are physician-injected hyaluronic acid gels that restore lost facial volume, define contours, and soften structural wrinkles in the cheeks, nasolabial folds, chin, jawline, and other areas. Every dermal filler injection at our Clarks Summit medical spa is performed personally by our physician-owner, Dr. Charles Dennis – not by a nurse injector, physician assistant, or delegated staff member. We use two FDA-approved product families: the Juvéderm collection (by Allergan) and the RHA collection (by Revance). Depending on the product and area treated, results typically last 12 to 24 months. Most patients see immediate volume restoration with full settling at 2 to 4 weeks. Your complimentary consultation includes a full-face assessment and written treatment plan you take home – there is no obligation to book.
Duration
15 minutes per area
Downtime
None
Results
Initial results appear quickly; maximum effect around 12 weeks
Sessions
Typically 1–2 sessions per area
Ready to begin
What dermal fillers are and how they work
Dermal fillers are gel-based injectables made from hyaluronic acid (HA) – a naturally-occurring sugar molecule found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue. HA holds up to 1,000 times its weight in water, which is why it plays such a large role in maintaining skin volume and hydration.
As we age, three things happen simultaneously: natural HA production declines, deep fat pads in the face shift and shrink, and bone structure gradually resorbs. The result is volume loss (especially in the cheeks, temples, and around the eyes), deeper folds (nasolabial folds, marionette lines), and loss of definition along the jawline and chin.
HA dermal fillers replace what your face has lost. Different products have different consistencies – firmer, more cohesive gels for structural areas (cheeks, jawline, chin) and softer, more flexible gels for delicate areas (undereyes, fine lines around the mouth). Choosing the right product for the right area at the right depth is the entire art of dermal filler treatment.
What dermal fillers treat at The Summit Aesthetics
Dr. Dennis performs dermal filler treatments for the following facial areas. Not every patient needs every area – most treatment plans focus on one to three regions, adjusted over multiple visits as the plan evolves.
- Cheek augmentation – restoring the natural curve of the mid-face and lifting the lower face by supporting the cheek fat pad
- Nasolabial folds – softening the parentheses lines from the nose to the corners of the mouth
- Marionette lines – softening the vertical lines from the corners of the mouth down to the chin
- Chin projection & enhancement – improving chin definition, correcting a recessed chin, or balancing side-profile proportion
- Jawline definition – sharpening the jawline for a more contoured lower-face profile
- Undereye hollows (tear troughs) – softening the shadow below the lower eyelid caused by volume loss – off-label but well-established
- Fine lines around the mouth (perioral) – softening vertical lip lines and smoker’s lines
- Temple hollowing – restoring volume to the temples, which often affects overall facial framing more than most patients realize
- Non-surgical rhinoplasty – refining subtle nasal contour irregularities – off-label, and only appropriate for select cases
- Hand rejuvenation – restoring volume to aging hands – FDA-approved for Voluma
Lip augmentation and lip fillers are covered on our separate Lip Fillers page → – different product selection, different technique, different aftercare specific to lip treatment.
Which filler is right for me?
Different products have different properties – cross-linking density, cohesivity, particle size – that make them better suited to specific areas and specific concerns. Dr. Dennis will select the right product for each area during your consultation. As a general reference:
If your concern is…
Concern / area
Product options we may recommend
Cheek volume restoration and mid-face lift
Juvéderm Voluma XC, RHA 4
Nasolabial folds
Juvéderm Vollure XC, RHA 3
Marionette lines
Juvéderm Vollure XC, RHA 3
Chin projection
Juvéderm Voluma XC, Juvéderm Volux XC
Jawline definition
Juvéderm Volux XC, RHA 4
Undereye hollows (off-label)
Juvéderm Volbella XC, RHA Redensity
Fine lines around the mouth
Juvéderm Volbella XC, RHA 2, RHA Redensity
Temple hollowing
Juvéderm Voluma XC
Skin quality / mid-face glow
SKINVIVE™ by Juvéderm
This is a general guide, not a prescription. Product choice depends on your specific anatomy, your skin quality, your prior filler history, and Dr. Dennis’s clinical judgment after examining your face directly.
Juvéderm vs RHA - what's the difference?
Details
Juvéderm collection
RHA collection
Manufacturer
Allergan Aesthetics
Revance Therapeutics
Cross-linking technology
VYCROSS technology
Resilient Hyaluronic Acid (RHA) technology
Designed for
Structural support and volume restoration
Dynamic areas that move with facial expression
Typical duration
12 to 24 months (product-dependent)
12 to 15 months (product-dependent)
FDA-approved for dynamic wrinkles
Some products
RHA 2, 3, and 4 – explicitly FDA-approved for dynamic wrinkle correction
Best fit for
Broadest product range for the widest set of areas – from delicate (Volbella) to deeply structural (Voluma, Volux)
Patients who want a product engineered specifically to move with facial expression rather than remain static
Both product families are safe, FDA-approved, and used routinely in our practice. Neither is universally “better” – the right choice depends on the area, your goals, and how your face moves. Some patients receive both product families in a single treatment plan.
What to expect at your dermal filler appointment
01
Consultation (first visit):
Complimentary, 45 to 60 minutes. Dr. Dennis performs a full-face assessment (not just the area you came in for - filler is inherently a whole-face treatment), reviews your medical history, and builds a written plan.
02
Treatment (injection appointment):
30 to 60 minutes depending on how many areas are being treated. Dr. Dennis applies a topical numbing cream before injection. Most filler products also contain lidocaine mixed into the gel, which numbs the area further as the injection proceeds.
03
Technique:
Depending on the area, Dr. Dennis uses either a fine needle or a blunt-tip microcannula (a flexible instrument that reduces bruising and lowers vascular occlusion risk in specific areas - see safety section below).
04
Immediately after:
You will see immediate volume restoration, but the area will also be swollen. Some patients have bruising. What you see the day of treatment is not what you will see at 2 to 4 weeks.
05
Onset & settling:
Initial volume is visible immediately. Swelling peaks at 24 to 48 hours and resolves over 7 to 14 days. Full settling - the "final look" - happens at 2 to 4 weeks.
06
Follow-up:
Two to four weeks after your treatment, we invite you back for a complimentary review. If any area needs an adjustment, we address it at the follow-up.
How long do dermal fillers last?
Duration varies dramatically by product and by area. As a general guide across our product menu:
Product
Typical duration
Common use
Juvéderm Voluma XC
Up to 2 years
Cheeks, chin, temples
Juvéderm Vollure XC
Up to 18 months
Nasolabial folds, marionette lines
Juvéderm Volux XC
Up to 12 months
Jawline
Juvéderm Volbella XC
Up to 12 months
Undereyes, perioral fine linesUp to 12 months
Juvéderm Ultra Plus XC
Up to 12 months
Deeper folds
RHA 4
Approx. 15 months
Deep dynamic folds, structural areas
RHA 3
Approx. 15 months
Moderate dynamic folds
RHA 2
Approx. 12 months
Superficial dynamic lines
RHA Redensity
9 to 12 months
Perioral lines
SKINVIVE™ by Juvéderm
Up to 6 months
Mid-face skin quality
The “up to” language in the manufacturer duration claims reflects clinical trial data. Real-world duration is influenced by product, dose, injection technique, area treated, your metabolic rate, muscle activity, and how consistently you maintain follow-up treatments. Areas of high motion (mouth, lips) tend to metabolize filler faster than areas of low motion (cheeks, temples). Dr. Dennis will discuss realistic expectations for your specific plan at your consultation.
Dermal filler aftercare: what to do and what to avoid
Filler aftercare is more restrictive than neuromodulator aftercare because the injected gel needs time to settle in place and because bruising and swelling are more likely.
For the first 24 hours
- Avoid touching, rubbing, or massaging the treated areas (unless Dr. Dennis specifically instructs you to)
- Skip strenuous exercise, saunas, hot yoga, and heavy heat exposure
- Avoid alcohol (increases bruising and swelling)
- Avoid facial treatments (facials, dermaplaning, chemical peels, microneedling)
- Sleep on your back if possible; avoid pressing the treated area into the pillow
For the first 2 weeks
- Avoid dental work (both routine cleanings and any invasive procedures). The mouth is not a sterile environment, and dental work in the two weeks after filler treatment is one of the documented triggers for late-onset filler complications.
- Avoid other injectables in the same area unless coordinated with Dr. Dennis
- Continue to avoid intense facial pressure, deep tissue massage, and heavy sun / heat exposure while the filler is still settling
What is normal after filler treatment
- Swelling that peaks at 24 to 48 hours and resolves over 7 to 14 days
- Bruising at injection sites (1 to 14 days depending on area and vessel involvement)
- Tenderness at the injection sites for a few days
- Small palpable lumps or firmness that soften as the filler settles over 2 to 4 weeks
- Asymmetry that resolves as swelling settles (do not judge results before day 14)
When to call us immediately
Sudden severe pain, skin color changes (blanching, blueness, mottling), vision changes, or asymmetry that worsens rather than improves. These are rare but require prompt attention. Call (570) 585-0201.
Can dermal fillers be reversed?
Yes, when the filler is hyaluronic-acid based. Every filler we use at The Summit Aesthetics – every Juvéderm product and every RHA product – is HA-based, which means it can be dissolved with an enzyme called hyaluronidase if needed. That is a genuine safety advantage that HA fillers have over other filler types (Sculptra, Radiesse, silicone), which are not dissolvable.
Reasons hyaluronidase is used clinically:
Vascular emergencies.
If filler ever enters a blood vessel and threatens blood flow to surrounding tissue, hyaluronidase can dissolve the offending filler and restore circulation. This is one of the reasons we exclusively use HA fillers - the safety mechanism exists.
Overfilling or displaced filler.
If a patient is unhappy with a result or filler has migrated, hyaluronidase can dissolve some or all of it.
Nodules or lumps.
Persistent nodules that do not soften over time can be dissolved.
Hyaluronidase does have limitations. It works quickly on some products and slower on others (highly cross-linked products like Voluma dissolve more slowly than softer products like Volbella). Multiple sessions may be required. And the enzyme dissolves both injected HA and, temporarily, some of your body’s natural HA – a small tradeoff that recovers on its own.
Why "physician-injected" matters for dermal fillers
If physician-level injection matters for Botox, it matters more for fillers. Filler is a three-dimensional treatment placed at multiple depths through anatomy that includes major blood vessels, nerves, and structural landmarks. Product selection, depth, technique, and volume all require judgment that improves with clinical training and experience.
Every syringe of filler at The Summit Aesthetics is placed by Dr. Charles Dennis personally. There is no “second-provider” tier and no delegation. When you consult with Dr. Dennis and he builds a plan for your face, he is the one who executes it.
Why physician-level training matters specifically for filler:
Vascular anatomy.
The face has major arteries close to common filler injection sites. Knowing where they are - and how to avoid them - is anatomy, not marketing.
Complication management.
If a vascular event occurs, the person injecting must recognize it immediately and treat it immediately with hyaluronidase. A physician-level provider is trained to do both.
Product selection judgment.
Choosing between Voluma and Volux for a chin or between Vollure and RHA 3 for nasolabial folds is a judgment call that gets better with clinical experience.
Full-face aesthetic assessment.
Good filler treatment addresses the whole face, not just the area the patient came in for. A physician-owner who does every injection sees the whole picture across visits.
Are dermal fillers safe? Who should not get fillers?
HA dermal fillers have a long, well-documented safety record when performed by a qualified provider. Most side effects are minor and expected. Serious complications are rare.
Common, minor, and expected
- Swelling at injection sites (peaks 24–48 hours, resolves in 7–14 days)
- Bruising (1–14 days depending on area)
- Tenderness at injection sites
- Small palpable lumps or firmness that soften over 2–4 weeks
- Mild redness at injection sites for a few hours
Uncommon, generally manageable
- Prolonged swelling beyond 14 days (can be treated)
- Nodules that persist beyond 4 weeks (can often be dissolved with hyaluronidase)
- Filler migration (rare, addressable)
- Delayed hypersensitivity or inflammatory reaction (rare)
Serious but rare – vascular occlusion
The most serious complication of any dermal filler is vascular occlusion – when filler accidentally enters or compresses a blood vessel and blocks blood flow to surrounding tissue. This is rare (estimated at fewer than 1 in every several thousand treatments in experienced hands) and, when it occurs and is recognized quickly, can usually be treated with hyaluronidase to restore blood flow. Physician-level anatomy training substantially reduces the risk of vascular events, and physician-level clinical training substantially improves the recognition and treatment when they do occur. Both are reasons we do not delegate filler injections.
Who should not get dermal fillers
- Anyone pregnant or breastfeeding
- Anyone with an active skin infection at the intended injection sites
- Anyone with a known hyaluronic acid or lidocaine allergy
- Anyone with a bleeding disorder or currently on blood thinners without prescriber clearance
- Anyone with an active autoimmune flare (relative contraindication – discuss with Dr. Dennis)
- Anyone with recent dental work in the past 2 weeks, or planning dental work in the next 2 weeks
Frequently asked questions
Questions our patients ask most
How much do dermal fillers cost in Clarks Summit, PA?
Filler is priced per syringe at The Summit Aesthetics. Costs vary by product – for example, Voluma and Volux (used for structural areas) are priced differently from Volbella or Vollure (used for finer areas). Most treatment areas use one to two syringes per session. Dr. Dennis will provide a specific syringe count and total for your plan during your complimentary consultation. Call (570) 585-0201 to schedule.
How long do dermal fillers last?
Between 9 months and 2 years depending on the product and the area treated. Structural products in low-motion areas (Voluma in cheeks and temples) last the longest, up to 2 years. Softer products in high-motion areas (Volbella around the mouth) last 9 to 12 months. Dr. Dennis will discuss realistic duration expectations for each product in your plan.
What are dermal fillers made of?
Every filler we use at The Summit Aesthetics is made from hyaluronic acid – a naturally-occurring sugar molecule your body produces in the skin, joints, and connective tissue. HA holds up to 1,000 times its weight in water. All Juvéderm and RHA products are HA-based, which means they can be dissolved with hyaluronidase if needed.
What's the difference between Juvéderm and Restylane?
Juvéderm and Restylane are the two largest HA filler brands. Juvéderm is made by Allergan; Restylane is made by Galderma. Both are safe, FDA-approved, and effective. They use different cross-linking technologies (Juvéderm uses Vycross; Restylane uses NASHA and OBT), which give the products slightly different behavior in the tissue. At The Summit Aesthetics we use the Juvéderm collection and the RHA collection by Revance – we do not currently carry the Restylane line, though the underlying HA science is comparable.
Do dermal fillers hurt?
Most patients describe the discomfort as mild and brief. Dr. Dennis applies topical numbing before injection. Most filler products also contain lidocaine mixed into the gel, which numbs the area further as the injection proceeds. In areas with the thinnest skin (undereyes, lips), Dr. Dennis may also use a blunt-tip microcannula, which is generally more comfortable and less bruising than a traditional needle.
Can dermal fillers be dissolved if I don't like the result?
Yes, when the filler is hyaluronic-acid based – which every product we use is. Hyaluronidase, an FDA-approved enzyme, dissolves HA filler. It can be used for vascular emergencies, overfilling, filler migration, or unhappy results. Some products dissolve faster than others (softer products go faster; highly cross-linked products like Voluma dissolve more slowly).
When will I see my final filler results?
You will see immediate volume the day of treatment, but you will also be swollen. Swelling peaks at 24 to 48 hours and resolves over 7 to 14 days. Full settling – your true final look – happens at 2 to 4 weeks. We invite you back for a complimentary review at that point so we can assess the result together.
Is there any downtime after filler?
You can return to normal daily activities immediately. The main restrictions are avoiding heavy exercise, alcohol, sun, and heat for 24 hours; avoiding facial treatments for 24 hours; and avoiding dental work for 2 weeks. Bruising and swelling are the main aesthetic downtime – most patients plan filler treatment at least 1 to 2 weeks before any event where they want to look their best.
Ready to begin
Book your dermal filler consultation
Every new dermal filler patient begins with a complimentary consultation with Dr. Dennis. The consultation includes a full-face aesthetic assessment, medical history review, and written treatment plan. There is no fee, no card required, and no obligation to book treatment.
Investment
Custom pricing at consult
Financing
From ~$25/mo · Cherry 0% APR
Member savings
Save 10–20% →
The Summit Aesthetics
116 North State Street, Clarks Summit, PA 18411 | Serving Scranton & NEPA
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The Summit Aesthetics
Serving Clarks Summit, Scranton, Kingston, and Northeastern Pennsylvania with physician-led aesthetic care in a calm, elevated setting.
Address
116 North State Street, Clarks Summit, PA 18411
Hours
Mon–Thu 10a–6p · Wed to 7p · Fri 10a–2p
Phone
(570) 585-0201
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