Dermal Fillers

Malissa and Rebecca use an array of hyaluronic acid fillers, an artful eye and years of plastic surgery knowledge to provide facial balancing to our Mount Pleasant patients. Their full-face approach to consultation and injection will help you achieve a rested, refreshed look. They will explain each step and make a plan to reveal your natural, true beauty by restoring lost volume.

The Art & Science of Filler at True Beauty Aesthetics

Age, stress, and gravity slowly deplete the fat pads that once gave your cheeks lift and your lips a pillowy curve. Injectable dermal fillers—made of moisture-loving hyaluronic acid (HA)—re-infuse this lost volume, restoring softer contours without surgery.

At True Beauty Aesthetics, Master Expert Injectors Malissa LaRoche, PA-C, and Rebecca Johnson, PA-C, approach the face as a single work of art. They don’t simply “spot-fill”; they balance proportions top-to-bottom so the result looks like you on your best, most-rested day.

During your consultation they will:

• Study facial anatomy and movements in motion
• Use a hand mirror to explain aging changes you may not see in static photos
• Craft a phased plan—often starting with cheek structure (an approach we lovingly refer to as “building the house”) before moving to lips or finer tweaks

Their goal is never to chase trends, but to reveal the natural, true beauty that already belongs to you.

Areas We Treat

Malissa and Rebecca make the most of hyaluronic acid fillers’ wonderful versatility, skillfully placing them in the following areas:

• Midface lift: Cheeks, tear troughs, temples
• Lower-face refinement: Nasolabial folds, marionette lines, chin shadowing
• Lip artistry: Subtle hydration to balanced, defined plump
• Jawline definition & prejowl smoothing
• Hand rejuvenation: Replenishes volume on the backs of the hands for a smoother, more youthful look
• Earlobe support for heavy earrings

Who Makes an Ideal Candidate?

You may benefit from dermal fillers if you see any of the following:

• Flattened cheeks or hollow under-eyes that make you look tired
• Down-turned mouth corners creating a “resting sad face”
• Thin lips that disappear when you smile
• Early jowling or undefined jawline in selfies
• Bony hands with prominent veins

Healthy adults, including many in their 30s–60s, are great candidates for fillers. If you’re pregnant, have certain autoimmune conditions, or recently had dental work, we may simply choose a later appointment; Malissa and Rebecca will guide the timing of your treatment schedule, or even help you find an appropriate alternative.

Benefits You’ll Notice

Most patients spot an uplifted, refreshed look the moment they sit up from the chair. Over the next two weeks, swelling calms, and the gels settle, for results that last 9–18 months (sometimes longer in structurally supported areas).

Additional wins:

• Makeup tends to glide on more smoothly once deep folds are softened.
• Restored cheek volume catches light naturally, creating a subtle highlight without extra highlighter.
• HA fillers can increase local skin hydration by attracting and holding water molecules.
• Many patients feel newly confident stepping out bare-faced (or hopping on Zoom) without filters.

Your Visit: Step-by-Step

Consult & Mapping

Together we review your medical history, discuss your goals, and take standardized photos for clear before-and-after comparison. Malissa or Rebecca will then mark a few tiny guide points on your skin so each injection is placed exactly where it will look most natural.

Comfort Measures

A topical anesthetic sits for 15 minutes, and the chosen Juvederm or RHA gel already contains lidocaine.

Precision Injection

Using microcannulas or fine needles—and techniques honed over 10+ years—your injector places small amounts of filler at carefully-tailored depths. You’ll be shown progress in a handheld mirror to stay involved throughout your treatment.

Finishing Touches

After the final injection, your provider softly smooths the area with their fingertips so the filler lies evenly under your skin. Soothing arnica gel and a cool pack can help calm the tissue and lower the chance of swelling or bruising. You’ll leave with written after-care and a follow-up check-in via text the very next day.

Downtime & Aftercare After Fillers

Following your dermal filler treatment, you can expect a bit of mild swelling, tenderness, or pinpoint bruises. To speed along your recovery, we recommend you:

• Ice in 10-minute intervals the first evening
• Sleep with your head elevated for one night
• Skip intense workouts, dental work, or massage for 48 hours
• Avoid blood-thinning supplements (fish oil, high-dose vitamin E) for one week if approved by your physician

Makeup may be worn after six hours with clean brushes.

How Long Will Results Last?

Longevity of fillers depends on the product/brand choice, the placement depth, and your individual metabolism. Cheek and chin fillers often last 15–18 months; lips may require a refresh closer to nine. We schedule optional follow-ups at the 9- and 12-month marks to keep your look harmonized.

Safety & Possible Side Effects

Hyaluronic acid fillers dissolve over time, and in rare cases can be reversed immediately with hyaluronidase. Common, temporary effects include: swelling, bruising, or firmness while the gel settles. 

Serious complications (such as vascular occlusion) are exceedingly rare in experienced hands; our injectors keep emergency protocols onsite. 

If you are experiencing any concerning symptoms or lasting unwanted effects, we encourage you to reach out immediately so we can take a look.

Pairing Fillers With Other Services

Many patients combine treatments for a full-face refresh. Some of our favorite facial rejuvenation options to combine with dermal fillers are:

• Neuromodulators (Botox®, Daxxify®) two weeks before or after to soften dynamic wrinkles
• DiamondGlow® facial one week prior for the cleanest canvas
• Palomar Icon™ laser three weeks later to brighten surface pigment without disrupting filler

Refresh and Renew

From first mirror check to final glow, our caring, experienced injectors are here for you. Call 843-790-2034 or request your consultation online with Malissa or Rebecca today.

Dermal Filler FAQs

References

• Carruthers, J., Glogau, R. G., Blitzer, A., Carruthers, A., Jones, D., Monheit, G., … & Weiss, R. A. (2008). Juvéderm Injectable Gel: A multicenter, double-blind, randomized study of safety and effectiveness. Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 28(1), 17-23. 
• Kaufman-Janette, J., Taylor, S. C., Cox, S. E., Weinkle, S. H., Smith, S., & Kinney, B. M. (2019). Efficacy and safety of a new resilient hyaluronic acid dermal filler, in the correction of moderate-to-severe nasolabial folds. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 18(5), 1244-1253. 
• Geronemus, R. G., Bank, D. E., Hardas, B., Shamban, A., Weichman, B. M., & Murphy, D. K. (2023). Effectiveness and safety of resilient hyaluronic acid (RHA) dermal fillers for the correction of moderate-to-severe nasolabial folds in people of color. Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 44(4), 412-425.