Dermal Filler Training &
Certification Course

The Level 1 Dermal Filler Training Course offered by the American Academy of Procedural Medicine (AAOPM) is a comprehensive, CME-accredited educational program designed to introduce licensed healthcare professionals to the core foundations, techniques, and safety principles involved in dermal filler aesthetic procedures. This course serves as both a standalone certification and the essential prerequisite for advanced filler training.

Duration: 1-day intensive (available live or hybrid with online prep)

Format:
• Pre-Study Dermal Filler Training Videos
• Hands-On Clinical Training with Live Models
• Faculty-led Injection Demonstrations
• Access to Online Portal + Reference Materials

Curriculum Breakdown

1. Didactic Instruction (Pre-Study Dermal Filler Training Videos)
   Participants begin with an in-depth review of facial anatomy, filler science, product types, injection techniques, and risk mitigation strategies. Topics include:
   • Overview of aging-related facial anatomy and fat pad changes
   • Rheology and selection of HA fillers (G-prime, elasticity, cohesivity)
   • History and development of dermal fillers in the U.S.
   • Key differences between hyaluronic acid and biostimulant fillers (e.g., Sculptra, Radiesse, Bellafill)
   • FDA-approved uses vs. off-label aesthetic indications
   • Safety protocols and complication management, including vascular occlusion response with hyaluronidase
   • Patient selection, aesthetic assessment, and treatment planning
2. Hands-On Video Session for Dermal Filler Injection Protocols
   Interactive pre-study video walkthroughs break down each procedural step using real models. Participants will visually master:
   • Mid-to-deep dermis injection planes
   • Entry point determination and depth control
   • Proper filler extrusion force
   • Aspiration techniques to minimize vascular risk
   • Retrograde linear threading, fanning, serial puncture, and cross-hatching methods
   • Common injection errors and how to avoid them
   • Pre- and post-care protocols, including swelling, bruising, and infection control
3. Live Hands-On Dermal Filler Training Nationwide
   Supervised by board-certified physician instructors, attendees will inject live volunteer models with FDA-approved hyaluronic acid fillers. Each participant receives direct guidance and real-time correction on:
   • Nasolabial folds
   • Marionette lines
   • Oral commissures
   • Lower facial rejuvenation zones
   • Layering techniques for natural correction

Due to safety and educational progression, cheeks, lips, and tear troughs are not included in Level 1 hands-on, but will be demonstrated and taught in preparation for advanced training (Level 2 and Master Injector Series).

In addition to filler training, AAOPM has a Botox course and a Dermal Filler course where you can learn both topics in the same day (morning and afternoon). Training for dermal fillers and botox is preferred by healthcare professionals to become a more versatile provider.

Included Materials & Resources

Upon registration, attendees receive:

• Course Syllabus & CME certificate of completion
• Injection Technique Atlas with anatomical diagrams
• Legal/Consent Forms (editable)
• Facial Mapping & Marking Templates
• Emergency Kit Protocol + Hyaluronidase dosage guidelines
• Vendor List for Filler Accounts (Allergan, Galderma, Merz, Prollenium, Revance)
• Business & Pricing Strategy Guide for beginner injectors

Attendees also receive lifetime access to the AAOPM's private member portal for updates, support documents, refresher videos, and new product briefings.

What You'll Inject

Participants may use top-performing FDA-approved hyaluronic acid fillers, including products from major brands such as:

• Restylane®
• Juvederm®
• Belotero Balance®
• Revanesse Versa®

No off-brand or gray market fillers are used. We ensure all participants gain clinical confidence with the real products they'll use in their practice.

Additional Support

After completion, AAOPM offers:

• Optional Cadaver Lab Training (anatomical safety dissection)
• Progression to Advanced Dermal Filler Training (cheeks, chin, lip augmentation course, tear troughs)
• Dedicated faculty support for post-course questions
• Discounted access to allied programs in Botox, Sculptra training, PRP, and PDO threads

Participants who complete the course will receive a Certificate of Training in Dermal Filler Aesthetics – Level 1 from AAOPM. This certification is recognized across the United States and internationally.

The course holds 8 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ (CME accredited) and satisfies training requirements for malpractice insurance and product account credentialing.

Certificates are awarded at the end of the course day and digitally available in your AAOPM Member Portal.

Participants must hold an active medical, nursing, or dental license in the U.S. or abroad. No prior aesthetic medicine experience is required. Basic understanding of facial anatomy is recommended.

If you are unsure about eligibility, contact AAOPM admissions.

12:45pm–1:00pm

Registration.

1:00pm-2:00pm

Speaker Introduction, Review pre-requisite video for Complete Dermal Filler Training. Overview of procedures to be performed during the hands-on session. Questions & Answers.
Hands‐On Sessions. Small group breakout sessions with live patients. Attendees will be required to administer the various HA Dermal Filler FDA Approved Products understanding the unique approach to each patient including various techniques for augmentation.

2:00pm-5:00pm

The following areas are acceptable for treatment during the physician supervised hands-on training:

• Marionette Lines
• Nasolabial Folds (NLF)
• Pre-Jowl Sulcus
• Lips (Vermillion Border with PDO Threads)

PRE-REQUISITE – Instructional Materials

As part of our ongoing efforts to provide the best training available including the safety of all participants during all live workshops, AAOPM requires that you prepare for the live hands-on training by reviewing all didactic materials, which includes the comprehensive color manual and educational videos, prior to the workshop. The successful completion of AAOPM's Video on Demand or the AAOPM-Virtual-Training™ is a requirement to participate in the Live Patient, Hands-On Practice Training Module for certification. The virtual training is conducted live and you may interact and ask questions with the Physician instructor. Once you register for a course, you will receive an email confirmation with additional instructions and login access to AAOPM's state of the art educational portal where you will have access to all training materials.

Separate from the prerequisite training material, AAOPM provides numerous procedure videos, advanced injection demonstrations including blunt tip cannula presentations, and other educational videos as part of your learning experience. All participants will also receive access to our library of educational materials concerning the HA and Non-HA Dermal Filler injections which is also recommended prior to the clinical portion of your training.

AAOPM further recommends downloading the color manual prior to viewing the pre-requisite video which includes the following topics discussed:

Review of Product Characteristics, Mechanism of Action, Indicated Areas for Patients

• Review of FDA Approved Dermal Fillers including G' Prime (strength) and Flexibility (xStrain) for the various HA Products including the approved uses for each product.
• Mechanism of Action for the various crosslinked HA products and recommendations for the various facial areas for fillers.
• Review the most common areas for injection utilizing dermal filler injections and the techniques associated with the procedures.

Patient Consultation Process

• Learn to communicate expected results for dermal fillers including the need for additional product or additional facial areas for rejuvenation.
• Review various injection techniques that will satisfy your patient's goals and give correction to areas of asymmetry or contrast.

Review of Facial Anatomy:

• Review anatomy of facial vasculature, facial nerves, and lymphatic areas to avoid.
• Possible Contraindications for Treatment
• Review Zones of Adherence
• Correcting and avoiding Complications and managing adverse events associated with the HA and Non-HA injections including reversal of the procedure.

Standard of Care considerations, understanding the medical model, safety techniques, and indications for treatment for the following areas:

• Perform and understand blunt tip cannula injections for highly vascular areas of the face including techniques used for areas where hypodermic needles are contraindicated.
• Nasolabial Fold (NLF) area using both cross-hatch and linear threading as well as proper product selection.
• Marionette Line areas of the face and various techniques to lesson or eliminated these stubborn lines.
• Prejowl Sulcus and the various techniques to correct areas of contrast.
• Review lip injections by micro cannula or by hypodermic needle injection for enhancing the body of the lip (lip plumping) or redefining of the lip by needle, micro cannula, or PDO Thread.
• Review other facial indications including protocols for other facial areas including; Cheekbone Enhancement, Cheek Augmentation, Hands, Jawline Contouring and other common facial and body indications utilizing dermal fillers.
• Post Procedure Protocols and Touch-Up Recommendations for Patients.