What Does A Cannula for Fillers Look Like?

binderdermatology
Dec 2, 2025
3 min read

Updated: Dec 3, 2025

How Does A Cannula Compare To A Needle For Distribution?

Patients often ask if cannulas provide a more even filler distribution. In many cases they do, simply because of the mechanics.

What does a cannula for fillers look like? With a cannula, we can enter through one point, advance in a straight or slightly curved path, and inject small amounts of product as we move across the face.

That gives a nice smooth "beam" of filler rather than a row of little dots.

With a needle, we can absolutely do precise and beautiful work too, but it tends to be more:

Shorter, separate placements
More entry points
More bruising risk

So for broader volumizing of the cheek, jawline, or subcutaneous tissue, we tend to reach for a cannula first.

Micro Cannula vs Needles

Despite how much we love cannulas, we still use needles at Binder Dermatology in specific scenarios. There are situations where a needle simply does a better job.

1. Very fine, superficial lines

If someone has:

Tiny etched-in lines around the mouth
A very fine line that bothers them when they smile
Small "laugh lines" that sit right under the skin

We will often use a tiny needle to place micro-threads of filler just beneath the surface. This bruises more, and we explain that, but it allows very precise painting of an individual line.

2. Small, focused boluses

Sometimes we want to place one precise bolus on bone, for example:

At the gonial angle of the jaw to sharpen that corner
In a small scar or pockmark to "lift" it In a tiny depression

In those cases, a sharp needle down to bone or into the scarred area can be exactly what we need. You actually want a bit of trauma when you are breaking up scar tissue.

3. Combination approaches

It is very common to use a needle for one or two specific "anchor" points and then switch to a cannula to paint and blend the surrounding area.

At Binder Dermatology, we personally still do the vast majority of facial volumizing with cannulas, but having the option of both tools is important.

Matching Cannula Gauge To The Filler

Another piece of the puzzle is the relationship between the gauge of the cannula and the thickness of the filler.

What does a cannula for fillers look like?

Thicker, more robust fillers (for bone support in the chin, jawline, cheek) flow more easily through larger cannulas such as a 22 gauge.
Softer, thinner fillers (for more superficial work) can be used with slightly smaller cannulas, such as a 25 gauge.

Once you get down to 27 or 30 gauge, two things happen:

The cannula becomes so thin and flexible that control is poor, especially if it is long.
It starts to behave more like a needle anyway.

This is why we very rarely use 27 gauge and we do not use 30 gauge cannulas at Binder Dermatology.

Ready to Enhance Your Natural Beauty?

If you're considering fillers and want to explore the benefits of cannulas versus needles, our team at Binder Dermatology is here to guide you. We offer personalized consultations to discuss the best approach for your goals, ensuring smooth, natural-looking results with minimal downtime.