Most people come in with a version of the same question: will it look obvious? The honest answer is that it depends less on the product and more on who plans the treatment.
At La Cle, a physician-led medical aesthetic clinic founded by Dr. Hadi Krayem in Vieux-Montreal, the assessment comes before anything else. Not as a formality, but because injecting volume into a face without understanding its proportions is how you get results that read as done rather than rested.
What hyaluronic acid fillers actually do
Hyaluronic acid is a substance the body produces on its own. Its concentration in the tissues drops with age, which leads to volume loss and changes in facial contours. HA fillers replace that volume in a way that is reversible: an enzyme called hyaluronidase can dissolve the product if needed.
Health Canada classifies injectable fillers as Class III medical devices. Products authorized for use in Canada go through a rigorous review process before reaching the market.
Cheeks
Volume loss in the mid-face is often what people first notice as looking older in photographs, even before fine lines appear. Restoring volume in the cheek area can soften nasolabial folds and lift the middle third of the face. The goal is not to inflate the cheeks but to return them to where they were.
Jawline
The jawline changes over time: bone resorption, tissue laxity, fat redistribution. Precise injections along the mandible can restore definition without surgery. This is also a frequently requested area for non-age-related reasons, such as sharpening a profile.
Chin
The chin has a quiet but real effect on how the face reads. A slightly recessed chin can make the nose appear more prominent or weaken the profile from the side. Chin filler often corrects this without the result being readable as a procedure.
Temples
Hollow temples are one of the less-discussed areas of volume loss, but their effect is real. When the temples empty out, the face can take on a gaunt appearance. A small amount of volume here often rebalances the entire face, from the front and in profile.
The facial balancing approach
Good filler results are not about a single zone in isolation. A well-treated face respects natural proportions: the vertical thirds, the profile angles, a symmetry that is never perfect because no one's is.
At La Cle, this is what facial balancing means in practice: evaluate the whole face before deciding what to treat, how much product to use, and in what order. Sometimes the right call is to leave a zone alone because a different one has more impact. Sometimes less product gives a better result. That is a clinical judgment, which is why having a physician involved in the planning changes the outcome.
What to expect at La Cle
A consultation starts with a conversation. What do you see in the mirror that bothers you? For how long? What do you not want to change? The clinical team then assesses facial anatomy: bone structure, tissue distribution, skin quality, symmetry. From there, a treatment plan is proposed, with the zones involved, the type of product, estimated volumes and realistic expectations for the result.
The injections themselves take between 30 and 60 minutes depending on the areas treated. A numbing cream is applied beforehand, and most products contain lidocaine to reduce discomfort during the injection.
After treatment
Swelling and bruising are possible in the 24 to 72 hours after treatment. This is normal. The final result is not visible until one to two weeks later, once the product has settled into the tissues. We recommend avoiding intense exercise, alcohol and heat exposure (sauna, hot bath) in the 24 to 48 hours after treatment.
How long results last
HA fillers typically last between 9 and 18 months, depending on the zone, the product, your metabolism and the amount injected. A touch-up can be considered before the product fully reabsorbs to maintain the result.
Who is a candidate for face fillers
Fillers are suitable for healthy adults who want to restore volume, refine contours or rebalance facial proportions. Certain medical conditions or medications may make the treatment unsuitable, which is one reason a prior medical assessment matters. Fillers are not appropriate during pregnancy or breastfeeding, and a known allergy to hyaluronic acid or lidocaine is a contraindication.
Why physician involvement matters
In Quebec, injectable fillers can be administered by various professionals depending on circumstances. Having a physician involved changes the level of care: risk assessment, management of potential complications, and access to hyaluronidase to dissolve the product if a problem arises.
Dr. Hadi Krayem founded La Cle on a straightforward premise: aesthetic treatments deserve the same clinical rigour as any other medical care. At our Vieux-Montreal clinic, every treatment plan is medically supervised, from the first appointment through follow-up.
This article was reviewed by the La Cle clinical team.
To discuss your goals and find out whether face fillers are right for you, book a consultation with our team. You can also visit our face fillers page.
La Cle clinical team
Frequently asked questions
How much do face fillers cost in Montreal?
Cost depends on how many zones are treated and how much product is used. At La Cle, the exact cost is confirmed during your consultation once a treatment plan has been established, because needs differ from person to person.
Do face fillers hurt?
Discomfort is usually low. A numbing cream is applied before the injections, and most products contain lidocaine. Some zones, like the chin or jawline, may be more sensitive. Most patients describe mild pressure rather than actual pain.
How long do HA fillers last?
Typically between 9 and 18 months, depending on the zone, the product and your metabolism. Fillers in high-movement areas like the lips reabsorb faster than those in the temples or jawline.
Can fillers be dissolved if I do not like the result?
Yes. HA fillers are reversible using hyaluronidase, an enzyme that breaks down the product. This is one of the key advantages of HA-based fillers. At La Cle, this option is discussed as part of the initial evaluation.
Is La Cle a medical clinic or a spa?
La Cle is a physician-led medical aesthetic clinic founded by Dr. Hadi Krayem. All treatments are planned and medically supervised. Injections are not performed without a prior assessment.