Dermal Fillers
At Michele Shermak, MD, in Baltimore, dermal filler procedures are performed with the same level of precision and safety as surgical treatments. Whether you’re looking to smooth wrinkles and skin folds, restore lost volume, or refine facial contours, Dr. Shermak’s approach to injectable dermal fillers centers on natural-looking results that enhance—never alter—your unique features.
Dermal fillers are FDA-approved, gel-like substances that match hyaluronic soft tissue support in the skin and can be used to add volume and lift, define facial structure, and treat deeper wrinkles without the need for surgery. They’re a popular option for patients seeking subtle improvements in areas such as the cheeks, lips, jawline, chin, and under eyes.
Dr. Shermak, a board-certified plastic surgeon with decades of experience in both clinical and aesthetic dermatology, performs all filler injections herself. This means every patient receives top-level care in a setting that prioritizes safety, artistry, and anatomical accuracy.
Dermal fillers are injectable soft tissue fillers made from substances like hyaluronic acid—a natural component found in the skin’s connective tissue.
These products are used to restore facial volume, improve upward sweep, smooth deep wrinkles, and fill in creases such as nasolabial folds, marionette lines, and vertical lines around the mouth.
As the skin ages, it loses elasticity and volume due to a decrease in elastin, collagen and fat. Injectable dermal fillers help reverse this process by lifting and volumizing areas affected by sagging or hollowing. The goal is always a more youthful appearance that still looks like you.
Common Areas for Filler Injections:
Dr. Shermak uses both Juvéderm and Restylane products, two of the most trusted families of dermal fillers on the market. Each family of products is formulated with slightly different hyaluronic particle sizes and characteristics, making them better suited for specific areas or concerns. Dr. Shermak carries the full line of both companies, so her patients have full access to any filler they will need. Here’s how they break down:
Juvéderm Voluma XC - Used for deep volume restoration in the cheeks, chin, and jawline. Provides lift and structure with results that can last up to 2 to 2.5 years.
Juvéderm Vollure XC - Great for softening moderate to deep lines like nasolabial folds and marionette lines, as well as smoothing cheek contours. Offers smooth flexibility and natural movement.
Juvéderm Volux XC - Soft, moldable, impactful filler which is great for emphasizing a crisp jawline, providing lift and contour.
Juvéderm Volbella XC - Ideal for subtle lip enhancement and smoothing vertical lip lines and treating the tear trough under eye region.. A soft, delicate filler that looks and feels natural.
Juvéderm Ultra XC - Used for fuller lip enhancement or softening moderate facial lines. More volumizing than Volbella, but still smooth and moldable.
Juvéderm Ultra Plus XC - A thicker formulation used for deeper lines and folds or to add more robust volume to areas like the cheeks and lips. The “OG” filler.
Restylane-L - The original Restylane formula is used for moderate facial wrinkles and folds. Also commonly used for under-eye (tear trough) rejuvenation. Restylane is the grandmother matriarch filler product.
Restylane Silk - Lightest filler to fill fine lines and smooth the lined area between the nose and lip. Super light yet effective.
Restylane Kysse - Designed for the lips, this filler enhances lush volume and texture while maintaining natural movement, and typically endures for a year.
Restylane Lyft - Great for restoring structure in the midface (cheeks) and back of the hands. This is also a great product for Liquid Rhinoplasty. Stronger lifting power than other Restylane products.
Restylane Refyne - A flexible filler for moderate facial lines and folds. Perfect for dynamic areas where natural movement is important around the mouth in softer contours, around the marionette lines
Restylane Defyne - Similar to Refyne but designed for deeper lines and more structure. Often used for chin and jawline enhancement.
Restylane Contour - Used to softly define and shape the cheeks while allowing full facial expression. Natural-looking with impressive lift and duration for up to 2 years.
Dermal filler treatments are performed in-office and typically take 30–45 minutes to complete. After evaluating your facial structure and aesthetic goals, Dr. Shermak will map out the injection sites. Using a fine needle or cannula, she carefully injects the selected product into specific layers of the skin or soft tissue with extreme care to avoiding bruising if at all possible.
Most dermal filler injections include lidocaine to minimize discomfort, and additional topical and regional numbing is available. Results are visible immediately, with improvements continuing as mild swelling resolves over the following few days, and particularly after 4-6 weeks when the soft tissue blurring takes effect.
If you’re concerned with aging-related volume loss, facial wrinkles, or want to enhance areas like the lips or chin without surgery, dermal filler procedures may be a strong fit.
Candidates should be in overall good health, with realistic expectations, and have no known allergies to filler ingredients. Dr. Shermak will review your medical history, assess the condition of your skin, and recommend a personalized treatment plan. For some patients, fat grafting or facial fat transfer may be recommended as an alternative or a complement to fillers.
After filler injections, some patients experience minor swelling, redness, or bruising at the injection site. These side effects are temporary and typically resolve within 3 to 5 days.
Most patients return to regular activity immediately after treatment. Results are visible immediately and continue to improve as the product settles. Depending on the type of filler, results can last from 6 months to two and a half years.
Unlike treatments at a typical medical spa, every dermal filler procedure at our office is performed by Dr. Michele Shermak, a board-certified plastic surgeon with over 27 years of experience in facial plastic surgery and injectables.
Dr. Shermak’s background in advanced anatomy and surgical precision makes her filler work distinct. She prioritizes natural-looking results, surgical-level safety, and individualized care. Patients benefit from her ability to combine artistry with technique and experience, ensuring outcomes that are subtle, refined, and long-lasting. Fillers may on the surface appear quick and easy, but having this treatment in an area like your face demands experience and significant training, unlike what is mostly seen in community spa environments.
Most HA-based fillers last between 6 and 18 months, though some longer-lasting formulas (like Voluma or Lyft) can last up to 2.5 years.
Yes, dermal filler injections can help smooth out depressed acne scars and irregular skin texture by plumping beneath the scar tissue.
While rare, adverse events may include swelling, bruising, nodules, or, in sporadic cases, vascular complications. Choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon significantly reduces these risks.
Fat grafting uses your body’s own fat to restore volume and is more permanent, but it involves a longer and more involved procedure. Dermal fillers are quicker and more flexible, but they are temporary.
Absolutely. Botox smooths dynamic wrinkles, such as frown lines, while fillers address static wrinkles and restore lost volume. They work synergistically for full facial rejuvenation.
