This page is for Foster City residents who are curious about dermal fillers but have never had them and want to understand what the treatment involves before booking anything. Dr. Susan Lin, M.D. personally performs every filler treatment at MD Laser and Cosmetics, 448 N San Mateo Drive in San Mateo, about 4.8 miles from Foster City. Below you will find what hyaluronic-acid filler is, what “reversible” does and does not mean, what a consultation covers, how to plan around recovery, and how the trip from Foster City works.
Hyaluronic-acid filler, explained for a first-timer
A dermal filler is a soft, gel-like substance placed beneath the skin with a fine needle. It is used to restore volume that has been lost, soften the creases that form where volume has thinned, and refine contours such as the lips, cheeks or jawline. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a molecule the body already makes; in skin it attracts and holds water. HA fillers are a manufactured version of it, shaped into gels of different firmness.
The firmness matters because a face is not uniform. A soft, flexible gel suits an area that moves constantly, such as the lips. A firmer gel is better suited to supporting structure, such as the cheek. Matching the gel to the area is part of the consultation.
It helps to know that filler is not the same thing as Botox or Dysport. Those relax muscle activity, while filler adds substance. You can read the practice’s general overview on the dermal fillers page for San Mateo.
Why the practice uses only HA fillers, and how longevity differs
Every filler used at this practice is hyaluronic-acid based. Dr. Lin chooses this because HA is reversible: if the result is not what was intended, or a complication arises, the filler can be dissolved with an enzyme called hyaluronidase. That is the meaning of “reversible” here. It is a safety option your physician can use when needed. It is not an instant undo button, and whether and how to use it is a clinical decision made at the time.
HA fillers do not all last the same length of time. Longevity depends on the product itself, on the area treated, and on your own metabolism. Firmer, denser gels generally persist longer than softer ones, and areas that move a lot generally need refreshing sooner than areas that act as structure. Products are not interchangeable, so the filler chosen is reviewed with you at consultation. Pricing is explained there too, in a written, itemized plan, before anything is administered.
Because HA gradually breaks down on its own, results are temporary by design.
What the consultation covers and how Dr. Lin approaches volume
The consultation is educational. Dr. Lin reviews your medical history and medications, looks at your face both at rest and in motion, takes medical photographs for your chart, and talks through which areas could be addressed and in what approximate amounts. You leave with the information to make your own decision, and no one expects you to decide on the spot.
Her approach is to restore volume that has been lost while keeping your own features recognizable. In practice that means looking at the face as a whole, including proportions and profile, rather than treating one line or one area in isolation. It also means conservative dosing, with additional filler added gradually if it is appropriate, rather than a large amount at once. A new patient consultation fee applies and is credited toward same-day treatment.
Some things are always worth telling Dr. Lin: any known allergy to hyaluronic acid or lidocaine, a history of cold sores, any skin infection, autoimmune conditions, and every medication you take. Never stop a prescription blood thinner on your own. Only the prescribing physician should make that call. Consultations can be held in person or by video on Zoom.
Planning around downtime
Filler can involve roughly 24 to 48 hours of downtime, depending on the area treated and the volume used. That typically means some swelling, tenderness or bruising you may not want on show right away. These effects are generally temporary and settle over the following days, but individual healing varies.
- Check your calendar for the 48 hours after treatment, particularly if you are considering treatment on the same day as your consultation.
- In the 48 to 72 hours before injections, avoid aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, fish oil, vitamin E, ginkgo and ginseng, which can increase bruising. Acetaminophen is acceptable.
- After treatment, expect guidance such as avoiding strenuous exercise for the rest of the day, and avoiding alcohol and heat such as saunas and hot tubs for 24 to 48 hours.
- Follow-up about 14 days after treatment is encouraged for new patients.
If anything worries you afterwards, such as unexpected swelling, discomfort or a reaction, call the office right away at (650) 340-7546.
Getting here from Foster City
The practice is about 4.8 miles from Foster City. Measured from Foster City City Hall, the drive is roughly 8 minutes in free-flow conditions without traffic. Treat that as a best case rather than a promise, since it is not a peak-hour estimate. The route studied runs along Foster City Boulevard, East 3rd Avenue, J Hart Clinton Drive, South Delaware Street and East Poplar Avenue, ending at North San Mateo Drive.
That route crosses into San Mateo on East 3rd Avenue, not through the US-101 and Highway 92 interchange, which Caltrans is rebuilding until summer 2028. Your own starting point may differ, so a maps app will show current conditions.
Foster City has no Caltrain or BART station. The free Commute.org shuttles to Hillsdale Caltrain and Millbrae BART/Caltrain run only at weekday commute hours, so they do not suit a midday appointment. Driving is the practical answer, and parking at the practice is on-site and free.
Questions from Foster City patients about dermal fillers
How far is the practice from Foster City, and how long is the drive?
It is about 4.8 miles. Measured from Foster City City Hall, the drive is roughly 8 minutes in free-flow conditions without traffic, which is a floor rather than a guarantee. The route studied crosses into San Mateo on East 3rd Avenue rather than through the US-101 and Highway 92 interchange. Your own route may differ, so check a maps app on the day.
Can I get to my appointment by train or shuttle?
Not conveniently. Foster City has no Caltrain or BART station, and the free Commute.org shuttles to Hillsdale Caltrain and Millbrae BART/Caltrain run only at weekday commute hours, while appointments are held between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Driving is the practical option. Parking at the practice is on-site and free, with a ground-level, wheelchair-accessible entrance.
What does it mean that hyaluronic-acid filler is reversible?
HA can be broken down by an enzyme called hyaluronidase, so a physician has an option to dissolve filler if needed. That is why Dr. Lin uses only HA fillers. It does not mean treatment can be undone instantly or without clinical judgment. HA also breaks down naturally over time, so results are temporary. The specifics are explained at your consultation, before any treatment is administered.
How much time should I plan around after filler?
Plan for about 24 to 48 hours of possible downtime, depending on the area treated and the volume used. Swelling, tenderness or bruising may appear and generally settles over the following days, though healing differs from person to person. Dr. Lin gives aftercare instructions, and a follow-up around 14 days later is encouraged for new patients. If you are worried about anything, call (650) 340-7546.
Can I have filler on the same day as my consultation?
Same-day treatment after a consultation is possible, and the consultation fee is credited toward it. The consultation itself is educational, so you decide after hearing the options, and the itemized plan is given before anything is administered. Because of the 24 to 48 hours of possible downtime, check your work and social calendar first, and consider booking when the days that follow are easy to protect.
MD Laser and Cosmetics is at 448 N San Mateo Drive, San Mateo, CA 94401, with free on-site parking. We are open Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, by appointment only, and consultations are available in person or by video. Call (650) 340-7546, book a consultation online, or contact the practice with questions. See also our information for Foster City patients and the full list of areas we serve.