Is 1ml of Filler Too Much or not enough?

When it comes to dermal fillers, this is a very common question. The answer depends on the treatment area and the planned outcome.

Fillers can be used to enhance different areas of the face, from filling wrinkles to adding volume. In some cases, 1ml may be sufficient, while in others, much more filler might be needed.

To put it into perspective, 1ml (milliliter) of filler is roughly the size of a small almond or about a fifth of a teaspoon. While that might not sound like much, fillers can provide noticeable yet natural-looking results even with a small volume. But that depends on the area where the filler is injected.

Filler can be used on different parts of the face, each with different requirements.

Lip filler

One of the most common uses for 1ml of filler is lip enhancement. 1ml is very often enough to create a noticeable but still natural plumpness in lips or to define the lip border.

Too Much or Too Little? For most people, 1ml in the lips is considered enough to see a difference without looking overdone. However, if you want a more dramatic change or have very thin lips, additional filler might be necessary over additional sessions.

Cheek filler

1ml per cheek can help add a subtle lift or improve some volume loss. It’s may be used to add definition to the cheekbones or provide a slight contour. 1ml of filler on a 30 year old person may be more than enough, and 1ml of filler on a 50-60 year old person may not be enough. As we age we start to lose muscle and the fat padding in the cheek area, which often results in sagging on the lower part of the face (jowls), by adding the lost volume we can restore the natural look and lift the contour of the lower face.

For someone looking for a gentle enhancement, 1ml might be enough. However, to achieve a fuller or more lifted look, particularly if there’s significant volume loss, 2mls or sometimes even 3mls might be more appropriate.

Nasolabial Folds (Smile Lines) filler

For softening smile lines, 1ml can give a very noticeable effect especially if the folds are not very deep. We usually start lifting the naso folds by lifting the cheek area first, or treating the area at the top of the line filling the space deep on the bone. This creates lift without adding any heaviness to the nasolabial folds.

In deeper folds, 1ml might not be enough to achieve a lifted look. Some people may require cheek filler first and then the treatment of the nasolabial folds for a more satisfactory result.

If there is just a line – a wrinkle rather than the fold, we may use a small amount of filler only, and a blanching technique.

 

Jawline filler

When it comes to jawline contouring, 1ml might not go very far. It can help add a little definition, but to achieve a noticeable contour along the entire jawline, even 2-3mls may be necessary.

1ml for the jawline can be underwhelming. A higher volume is typically recommended for a sculpted look.

Tear Trough filler (Under-Eye Hollows)

For tear troughs, 1ml is often more than enough to fill both eyes. Under-eye areas are delicate, and a little filler goes a long way to reduce hollowness or dark circles.

Using 1ml or more in the tear troughs can overfill, which leads to a puffy look. In this area, it’s better to start small.

In some cases, treating the whole face requires significantly more than just 1ml. Advanced filler techniques aim to restore harmony and balance to the face, and this can involve treating multiple areas at once:

The 8-Point Lift

The 8-Point Lift is a popular approach that targets eight strategic points around the face to create a lifting and rejuvenating effect. This technique can involve 3-5mls of filler, depending on the needs of each individual person. The goal is to lift and contour the midface, cheeks, and jawline, enhancing facial structure without surgery.

Liquid Facelift

A full liquid facelift uses dermal fillers across the entire face to provide a comprehensive rejuvenation. This approach may require 4-6mls or even more, addressing several areas such as Cheeks for volume, Chin to enhance profile, etc.

This amount of filler can create a subtle, natural-looking lift and refresh tired features without the need for surgical intervention.

1ml of filler can be enough for enhancements, especially in smaller areas like the lips or under the eyes. Larger areas like cheeks or multiple areas may require more filler for a noticeable improvement.

Consultation

We will evaluate your facial structure, discuss your goals, and determine how much filler you might need. It’s essential to have a clear conversation about what you want to achieve so that the amount of filler recommended aligns with your expectations.

Keep in mind that sometimes less is more and it may be recommended to gradually build up volume with additional filler in follow-up sessions.