Pump Up the Volume
Dermal Fillers
Dr. Jonathan Zelken, MD · Board-Certified · Newport Beach, CA
Restore lost volume and soften the lines of aging with expertly placed dermal fillers — natural, refreshed results from board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Jonathan Zelken and Aesthetic Nurse Miki Omori.
Approach
Dr. Zelken's Philosophy
Fillers should refresh, never distort. At the Zelken Institute for Aesthetic Medicine in Newport Beach, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Jonathan Zelken approaches every injection with an artist's eye and a scientist's understanding of facial anatomy — restoring the volume that time takes away while keeping you looking entirely like yourself.
The goal is balance, not bulk. Rather than chasing a single feature, Dr. Zelken and Aesthetic Nurse Miki Omori read the whole face, placing product precisely so lines soften, contours return, and the result reads as simply rested and well — never overdone.
Because fillers demand both artistry and a deep knowledge of what lies beneath the skin, they are best entrusted to a specialist. That expertise is what turns a quick office treatment into a natural, lasting refinement of your features.
The Treatment
What Are Dermal Fillers?
Dermal fillers restore a more youthful appearance by softening facial lines and replacing the volume and fullness the face loses with age. The treatment can be done quickly in the office, but it's in your best interest to trust a board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Zelken, who has specialized training and a deep knowledge of facial anatomy. You'll also love Aesthetic Nurse Miki Omori, who was handpicked and trained by Dr. Zelken over more than five years.
Fillers are used for many purposes: to plump thin lips, enhance shallow contours, soften creases and wrinkles, improve the look of recessed scars, and reduce the shadow of the lower lids. While they address the early signs of aging beautifully, fillers cannot achieve the same results as a facelift, brow lift, or other surgery. Relying on a skilled injector is what keeps the process both safe and natural.
Tailored to You
Types of Fillers We Offer
Chosen for your anatomy and your goals.
- Hyaluronic Acid The most popular option — Juvéderm, Restylane, and others — to smooth lines, restore contour, and add natural cushioning volume.
- Calcium Hydroxylapatite Known as Radiesse. A biosynthetic, naturally derived filler for deeper folds that also stimulates volume and rarely migrates.
- Poly-L-Lactic Acid Known as Sculptra. A collagen stimulator that builds volume gradually over several months for a subtle, longer-lasting result.
- Polyalkylimide Known as Aquamid. A semi-permanent, biocompatible filler for deeper wrinkles and contouring the cheeks and jawline.
- PMMA Microspheres Known as Bellafill. A semi-permanent filler for medium-to-deep folds; under-filled first, then refined at a later visit.
- Fat Transfer Your own fat, harvested by liposuction and re-injected to restore fullness. Roughly half survives permanently; multiple sessions may be needed.
Benefits of Dermal Fillers
Restore volume lost to aging in the cheeks, lips, and midface.
Soften smile lines, marionette lines, and deep creases.
Enhance shallow contours and define the cheeks and jawline.
Plump thin lips for a naturally fuller shape.
Improve the look of recessed scars and lower-lid shadows.
Minimal downtime — most patients return to normal activity right away.
Is It Right For You
Are Dermal Fillers Right for You?
Some patients are better served by surgery, such as a facelift or brow lift. For many others, dermal fillers are a quick, low-commitment way to look their best almost immediately. Dr. Zelken, Nurse Miki, and their team will help you make the right choice for your situation and goals.
If fillers are a good fit, ideal candidates are physically healthy, non-smokers, and have realistic expectations for their results. A commitment to good skin health matters, too. It's also important to understand that fillers are temporary: ongoing treatments are needed to maintain your results over time.
What to Expect
Before & During Your Procedure
Every filler journey begins with a consultation. Dr. Zelken or Nurse Miki will review your medical history, medications, allergies, and any prior injectables, laser, or facial surgery, then recommend the filler best suited to your goals and explain the expected outcome, longevity, and any risks. You'll review and sign consent forms so you fully understand the treatment.
On the day of treatment, your face is assessed and injection sites may be marked and photographed. The skin is cleansed, and comfort is managed with a cold instrument, numbing ointment, or local anesthetic as needed. Product is then injected, massaged, and evaluated in stages, with more added where required. Depending on how many areas are treated, the whole appointment can take as little as fifteen minutes.
Healing Timeline
Recovery & Aftercare
Right After
- Any markings are cleaned off and an ice pack may be offered to ease swelling. The area can feel tender for a day or two.
First 24–48 Hours
- Most activities resume right away, but avoid intense physical activity to minimize swelling and bruising. Rarely, cover-up is all a small bruise needs.
Longevity
- Results are visible immediately and, depending on the filler and patient, last from several months to a few years.
Fat Transfer
- When your own fat is used, healing takes longer — often a few weeks — but the surviving volume lasts permanently.
Maintenance
- Good overall health, quality skincare, and appropriate treatments extend and improve your results over time.
The Outcome
Results & Longevity
The beauty of dermal fillers is how immediate — and how natural — the change can be. In a single visit, hollows are softened, lines are smoothed, and the face looks rested and refreshed rather than altered.
How long results last depends on the product and the person: many hyaluronic acid fillers last several months to a year or more, while collagen-stimulating and semi-permanent options can last considerably longer. Because most fillers gradually dissipate, periodic touch-ups keep your look consistent. Maintaining good overall health and a thoughtful skincare routine helps your results last as long as possible.
Transparency
Risks & Considerations
As with any medical procedure, fillers carry some risk. Serious complications are uncommon, but they can include acne-like skin eruptions, asymmetry, and infection at the injection site. In some cases, ideal results aren't achieved in a single session. Dr. Zelken and Nurse Miki review every consideration with you beforehand and provide clear guidance to keep the process safe.
Explore More
Related Procedures
Begin Your Journey
Ready to Restore Your Volume?
If you're considering dermal fillers, contact us today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Zelken and Nurse Miki. We're here to help you look your best.
Common Questions
Dermal Filler FAQ
Answers to the questions we hear most about dermal fillers.
Fillers replace lost volume to smooth lines and restore contour. Botox and other neurotoxins relax the muscles that create wrinkles — different tools for different concerns.
Fillers add volume temporarily and address early aging. A facelift surgically repositions deeper tissues for results fillers cannot match. Many patients use each at the right stage.
Very little. You may have slight bruising a bit of cover-up can hide. Arnica and pineapple can help it fade faster, but there's essentially zero downtime.
We assess the areas you'd like treated, apply topical numbing for comfort if you wish, choose the right filler, and inject. Discomfort is minimal and it takes just minutes.
In California, a skilled RN, NP, or PA supervised by a physician may inject. If your injector doesn't hold one of those credentials, they aren't qualified to treat you.
Possibly. Fat harvested from your own body can restore fullness and last permanently, but it's a minor surgical procedure — we'll discuss whether it fits your goals.
It depends on the filler and your body — from several months to a few years. Because most fillers fade gradually, periodic touch-ups keep your results looking consistent.
When placed by a qualified injector, fillers have a strong safety record. Serious complications are uncommon, and Dr. Zelken reviews every risk with you beforehand.