Dermal Fillers in NYC: Upper East Side Practice
RHA leads my filler plans: support that looks natural at rest and when you laugh, with every injection placed by me.
Medically reviewed by Doris Day, MD, FAAD · Last reviewed October 11, 2026
Filler can help you look like yourself again. It gently restores the support behind the changes you notice: cheeks that have flattened a little, lips that have thinned, deeper lines around the mouth. Each filler has its own unique character, and the aim is always you on a good day, not someone else, and never "done". I'm Dr. Doris Day, a board-certified dermatologist with an office on Manhattan's Upper East Side. I helped design the Wrinkle Severity Rating Scale, and I place every RHA, Evolysse, Restylane, Sculptra and Radiesse treatment myself.
- Board-certified in dermatology since 1998
- Helped design the Wrinkle Severity Rating Scale, first author of its 2004 validation
- RHA Collection first, with Sculptra and Radiesse when collagen support fits
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or call (212) 772-0740
The most beautiful filler results look like you, on your best day. A youthful face has more to do with balance than with any one line, and balance is what I teach: after more than 25 years of injecting, I lecture nationally and internationally for my peers on keeping dermal filler results natural and in proportion, so a face looks refreshed rather than overfilled. When you sit down with me in my Upper East Side office, I start with your beauty: what I see in your face, and what you love about it. Then I want to hear how you see yourself and what has changed for you. I look at your whole face, its anatomy and structure, the cheeks, the jawline and the lips, and the way light falls across them. I aim for a face that still looks like you years from now, natural when you're still and when you're talking and laughing. I place every filler injection myself, start to finish.
At a glance
- Lead filler family: RHA Collection
- Injections: Every syringe placed by Dr. Day herself
- Time in the office: As long as we need to look closely at your face and talk your plan through
- Common areas: Lines around the mouth, lips, cheeks, under the eyes, chin and jawline
- Downtime: Typically mild swelling, redness or bruising that settles within days to weeks
- Before an event: Give yourself about two weeks
- How long it lasts: With RHA, results can last up to 15 months in dynamic wrinkles and folds, and up to a year in cheeks, lips and lipstick lines, according to Revance
- Reversible: Hyaluronic acid filler, including RHA, can be dissolved with hyaluronidase. Sculptra and Radiesse can't
- Days to plan in New York: About two weeks before an event, and a day or two before you fly if you can
- Cost: Quoted at your consultation
On this page: What dermal fillers can do for you · Research that shapes how I see your face · How fillers work, simply · RHA or a collagen builder? · Watch: Dr. Day on Good Day New York · Your first filler visit · Results, and what patients say · How long results last · Comfort, and keeping you safe · Coming from out of town · The skin care plan that goes with your filler · Let's plan your visit · What people ask me about fillers
What dermal fillers can do for you
Dermal fillers are placed under the skin to help create a smoother, fuller look in areas such as the lines from the nose to the mouth, the cheeks, chin and lips, and the backs of the hands. They work differently from neuromodulators, which relax the muscles behind expression lines. I like to think of filler as gentle support and a neuromodulator as a way of softening movement, and the two often work well together in one plan for your face.
Research that shapes how I see your face
I've been part of filler research from early on. I took part in the US clinical studies for Restylane. I helped design the Wrinkle Severity Rating Scale, and I'm the first author of the 2004 study that validated it. The scale grades the folds from the nose to the mouth on five levels, from absent to extreme. It became a standard way to measure results in filler research, including studies of Restylane and Belotero Balance. RHA research used a similar five-grade fold scale.
All of that shapes how I look at your face. I measure change carefully, and I'll tell you plainly and kindly what the research shows and what it doesn't, without any sales pitch. I lecture on injectables at national and international meetings, and I teach injection technique to NYU residents, as I describe on my Botox and neuromodulators in NYC page. I am also the principal investigator on a multicenter study sponsored by Galderma, the maker of Sculptra, that looks at how skin responds to Sculptra before and after menopause. There are no results yet. I've written four books on skin and aging, including Forget the Facelift (2005; paperback 2006) and Beyond Beautiful (2018), and since 2025 I've served on the American Academy of Dermatology Nominating Committee. Newsweek with Statista ranked me #3 among cosmetic dermatologists in 2022 and again in 2023, and my Castle Connolly Top Doctor listing goes back to 2004.
Every filler I use, as appropriate for you
Having a full range of fillers lets me match the product to your face, your skin and the look you want. These are the fillers I use, as appropriate for each person:
- Teoxane RHA Collection: RHA Redensity, my favorite, along with RHA Redensity Eye, RHA 2, RHA 3 (its mepivacaine version is now called RHA Kiss Volume) and RHA Dynamic Volume, which was RHA 4
- Restylane, by Galderma: Restylane-L, Restylane Lyft, Restylane Silk, Restylane Refyne, Restylane Defyne, Restylane Kysse, Restylane Contour and Restylane Eyelight
- Evolysse, by Evolus: Evolysse Form and Evolysse Smooth
- Obagi saypha, by Obagi Medical: Obagi MagIQ and Obagi ChiQ
- Belotero, by Merz: Belotero Balance (+)
- Revanesse, by Prollenium: Revanesse Versa, Revanesse Versa+ and Revanesse Lips+
- Juvéderm, by Allergan: the Juvéderm family
- Radiesse, by Merz: Radiesse and Radiesse (+)
- Sculptra, by Galderma: Sculptra
- Bellafill, by Tiger Aesthetics: a filler made to stay in the skin rather than be absorbed
This list covers the fillers available in my office today. Two more from Merz, Belotero Volume (+) and Belotero Intense (+), are expected to arrive later this year, and I look forward to using them. Which one I reach for depends on the area and on you, and we'll decide that together at your visit.
How fillers work, simply
Why hyaluronic acid holds water
Hyaluronic acid is something your skin already makes. It plays a central part in keeping skin moist, because it holds on to water so well.
Why RHA moves with you
Teoxane makes RHA with a process it calls Preserved Network Technology. Revance describes the result as gels designed to more closely resemble the hyaluronic acid in your skin and to move with your expressions.
Fillers that work with your collagen
Sculptra and Radiesse work a little differently from hyaluronic acid: they help your skin build its own collagen. Sculptra is made of poly-L-lactic acid microparticles. In a small human biopsy study of 14 people, it stimulated new type I collagen in the months after treatment. Radiesse is calcium hydroxylapatite, injected to add volume. In a small study of 5 people, biopsies taken 6 months after Radiesse showed new collagen around its microspheres. Neither can be dissolved, and non-hyaluronic acid fillers can be difficult or impossible to remove. Hyaluronic acid fillers, including RHA, can be broken down with an enzyme called hyaluronidase.
"I don't believe in anti-aging. I believe in aging beautifully, in the healthiest way possible."
RHA or a collagen builder?
They work in different ways, and many plans use both. Here's how they compare.
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| RHA Collection | Sculptra | Radiesse | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Hyaluronic acid gel designed to move with your expressions | Poly-L-lactic acid microparticles | Calcium hydroxylapatite |
| How it works | Hyaluronic acid holds water and adds support where it's placed, for a smoother, fuller look | Stimulated new type I collagen in the months after treatment, in a biopsy study of 14 people | Adds volume. New collagen around its microspheres at 6 months, in a study of 5 people |
| Can it be dissolved? | Yes, with hyaluronidase | No | No |
I choose with you at your consultation, area by area.
Watch: Dr. Day on Good Day New York
Summary: In this Good Day New York segment on Fox 5, I discussed "Ozempic face," the facial volume loss some people notice after weight loss, and ways to address it, including Sofwave.
Your first filler visit
We start by talking, with no needles yet. I'll share the proportions I find beautiful in your face, and you tell me which features you love most, so we know what to protect. Then I'll ask about your goals, your health, your medications and anything you've had done before. Mostly, I listen, because your story shapes the plan. Then I study your face from a few angles, at rest and while you talk. I show you what I see, walk you through the plan and the products I'd choose, and answer every question before anything is injected. If you're nervous, tell me. RHA products contain a local anesthetic, and I can numb the skin first. Afterward we stay in touch, and we decide together whether a small refinement makes sense.
With filler, precision and placement matters. I want the cheeks to catch the light again, the lips to look soft and like yours, and the lower face to sit in balance with the rest. Your skin quality shapes the result too, so I often pair filler with laser treatments in NYC and a home routine as part of a longer longevity plan.
Results, and what patients say
Patients rate our practice 4.7 on Google from 140 reviews (as of October 2026).
BOOK A CONSULTATION
or call (212) 772-0740
How long results last
Swipe to see more →
| Treatment | What to expect |
|---|---|
| RHA Collection | In Revance's information, up to 15 months in dynamic wrinkles and folds, and up to a year in cheeks, lips and lipstick lines |
| Radiesse | Added volume from the treatment itself, with new collagen forming around the microspheres over time |
| Sculptra | Gradual change as new collagen forms in the months after treatment |
Comfort, and keeping you safe
Your comfort and safety guide every step. Afterward, mild swelling, redness or bruising are common and usually settle within days to weeks. Rarely, filler can enter a blood vessel, which can be serious. That's why I pay close attention to anatomy and technique. If needed, hyaluronic acid filler can be dissolved with hyaluronidase. At your consultation, we go through your history and medications so the plan fits you.
Coming from out of town
Swelling and bruising can take some days to settle, so if you're flying in for an event, give yourself that time. If your plan includes Sculptra or Radiesse, we'll map out the sessions so they line up with your travel. My traveling for treatment page covers timing and nearby hotels, and my Upper East Side dermatologist page shows how to find the office.
The skin care plan that goes with your filler
A filler result reflects the judgment behind it: which product, how much, how deep, and when to stop. That's where my years of filler research and my practice since 1998 come in. Alongside it, I put together home care matched to your filler. In the days before, it's meant to help keep bruising down. We also ask you to avoid blood thinners like Advil, Motrin and other NSAIDs when possible. It is fine to resume them right after treatment. We ask you to avoid heavy exercise for 24 hours after the filler. My aim is easier recovery and a result you enjoy for longer.
Let's plan your visit
Bring your questions, your worries, even a photo of yourself from a few years ago if you like. Call the office at (212) 772-0740 to book your consultation, in person or virtual. We'll go through the cost once we've planned your treatment, and you can take your time deciding.
What people ask me about fillers
Who should I see for fillers in New York City?
Choose a dermatologist with board certification who knows facial anatomy, talks you through every product honestly, and places the filler personally. I'm board-certified, I helped design the Wrinkle Severity Rating Scale, and I place every filler myself at 10 East 70th Street.
What are dermal fillers?
They're injected under the skin to soften lines and restore a smoother, fuller look, and I choose each one for the area and the result we want together.
What is the Wrinkle Severity Rating Scale?
A five-level scale for grading the folds from the nose to the mouth. I helped design it, and I'm the first author of the 2004 study that validated it. It's now one of the standard ways doctors grade those folds.
Why do you use RHA fillers?
Because faces move, and filler should move with them. Revance describes RHA as designed to adapt to facial movement, which is exactly why I love it for areas that move when you talk and smile. I use the whole collection, and newer fillers from other companies when they suit the area.
Can filler be dissolved?
Hyaluronic acid filler, including RHA, can be broken down with hyaluronidase. Sculptra and Radiesse can't.
Is there downtime?
Some swelling or bruising is common. It tends to fade over days to a few weeks. We talk through timing, and what's right for you, at your consultation.
Who places the filler?
I do, every time. No one else in my practice injects filler.
How do you handle swelling and bruising?
Some swelling, redness or bruising is common and usually fades within days to a couple of weeks. I use fine needles or cannulas and go slowly. Cool compresses help. Avoiding alcohol and, with your doctor's OK, supplements that thin the blood for a few days beforehand can help too.
Will my lips look overdone?
We plan them together, so they look like your lips, only refreshed. I start with a modest amount, and we build at the follow-up only if you want more. You stay in charge of how far we go.
Am I a candidate for under-eye filler?
It may be. It depends on whether the area looks hollow rather than puffy, and whether your skin has some support. RHA Redensity Eye is the filler I usually reach for when the area looks hollow. If puffiness is the real issue, I'll say so and suggest something else.
How far before an event or flight should I get filler?
Give yourself about two weeks before a big event, so any swelling or bruising has settled. Flying after filler is usually fine, but give yourself a day or two before you travel if you can, and plan the follow-up before you leave.
Can I meet you virtually before flying in for filler?
I'd like that. A virtual visit lets me hear your goals and talk through options, so the plan is ready when you arrive. Phone the office to set it up.
What are your office hours?
Monday 9:30 AM to 6 PM. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 9 AM to 5 PM. Thursday 9 AM to 4 PM. Saturday and Sunday: Closed.
Where can I stay nearby?
The Surrey, The Carlyle, The Mark and The Lowell are within about a 10-minute walk.
Related treatments: Botox and neuromodulators · Radiesse · Sculptra
Estrogen Study
This study is being done to see whether applying a cream with estradiol (a form of estrogen) to the face can improve overall skin quality and help reduce fine lines and wrinkles in peri- and post-menopausal women, and how this relates to epigenetic changes in the skin. A part of the study will also include applying an extra rapamycin analog cream to the face, which is also believed to improve overall skin quality and help reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
WHY THIS MATTERS
Skin aging in peri- and post-menopausal women is deeply tied to hormonal shifts. This study explores whether topical estradiol can help reset aging skin, cellularly.
Eligibility
You MAY qualify if you can answer YES to all:
I am a healthy female (peri or menopausal) between the ages of 40 and 65.
I have not had any cosmetic facial treatments in the last 1-3 months.
I have not had any GLP-1 treatments in the last 6 months.
Study Design and Duration
The study includes daily evening application of study cream for 12 weeks, followed by 4 weeks with no test product use. In total, the study will last 16 weeks or approximately 4 months.
Topical Scalp Serum Containing RLX‑201 in Subjects With Mild‑to‑Moderate Hair Thinning
Purpose of the Study
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and effectiveness of a scalp serum containing RLX‑201 when applied once daily for 20 weeks in men and women with mild‑to‑moderate hair thinning. The study will assess changes in hair density, hair thickness, and overall scalp health using clinical evaluations, imaging tools, and participant self‑assessments.
Eligibility
You MAY qualify if you can answer YES to all:
I am a healthy male or female between the ages of 30 and 60.
Self‑perceived mild‑to‑moderate hair thinning.
I have NOT used minoxidil, light therapy, or other hair growth treatments within 3 months.
I have NOT used medications affecting hair growth (e.g., finasteride, spironolactone, cyproterone acetate, 5‑alpha‑reductase inhibitors) or a GLP-1 within 6 months.
Study Design and Duration
This is a single‑center clinical study lasting approximately 20 weeks. If you agree to participate, you will be asked to attend study visits at the following time points: Baseline, and Weeks 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20.