Top Questions Patients Ask Before Dermal Fillers

We built this guide around the five most‑searched concerns our London patients raise before booking:

1. How safe are dermal fillers and what do we do to reduce risks?
2. How natural will the result look (avoiding the “overfilled” look)?
3. How long do dermal fillers last and when should I top up?
4. What is the cost vs. value and how is a plan tailored to me?
5. What is the aftercare, downtime, and when can I see results?

1) Safety First: How We Reduce Risk with Consultant‑Led Fillers

Filler safety is multi‑factorial: patient selection, product choice, anatomical planning, and the ability to recognise and manage complications promptly. At Skinhorizon, a consultant dermatologist reviews your medical history (e.g., autoimmune disease, active skin infection, anticoagulants), maps vascular “no‑go” zones, and tailors the technique (needle or micro‑cannula) to the area and your anatomy. Where appropriate, ultrasound assessment may be used to understand previous filler distribution.

We work with hyaluronic‑acid (HA) fillers from established manufacturers and keep hyaluronidase available to dissolve HA if clinically indicated. Clear consent, pre‑ and post‑procedure photographs, and written aftercare ensure transparency and continuity of care. If your goals are better met by skin‑quality boosters, polynucleotides, or Endolift® laser tightening, we will guide you accordingly — sometimes a staged approach yields the most elegant outcome.

Common, Expected Effects

• Mild swelling, redness, and transient tenderness.
• Occasional bruising (varies by area and individual).
• Temporary asymmetry in the first days as tissue settles.

Uncommon but Important to Discuss

• Vascular compromise (rare; we use established protocols and have reversal agents for HA).
• Nodules/inflammatory reactions; addressed with medical review and management.
• Herpes simplex reactivation in lip treatments (prophylaxis can be discussed where relevant).

2) Natural Results: The “You, Rested” Aesthetic

Natural filler outcomes hinge on precise diagnosis: Is it volume loss, ligament laxity, bone remodelling, or skin‑quality changes? We prioritise facial balance and light reflection over isolated, heavy correction. Cheek support is addressed before the nasolabial fold, jawline structure before jowl blending, and the periorbital complex is treated cautiously to avoid puffiness.

Our clinic avoids the “template” approach to lips and mid‑face. When lip shaping is appropriate, we optimise hydration and edge definition rather than simply chasing volume. For patients focused on the under‑eye, periorbital rejuvenation may involve a combination plan (skin quality procedures, conservative filler, and occasionally fractional CO₂ for texture or vascular/pigment laser where indicated).

3) How Long Do Dermal Fillers Last?

Longevity depends on the area, filler rheology, metabolism, and facial dynamics. Structure‑supporting areas (e.g., cheeks, chin, jawline) typically outlast highly mobile zones (e.g., lips). As a general guide:

• Cheeks / mid‑face: ~12–18 months
• Jawline / chin: ~9–18 months
• Lips: ~6–12 months
• Tear trough (carefully selected cases): variable, often >9 months

We plan maintenance conservatively. Many patients benefit from small, strategic top‑ups rather than large, infrequent volumes. Where laxity or tissue descent predominates, tightening with Endolift® can synergise with lower filler volumes for a cleaner jawline.

4) Cost vs. Value: Why a Plan Beats “Syringes”

Pricing is influenced by area complexity, product selection, and the expertise required. We avoid the “one‑size‑fits‑all per syringe” mentality because it incentivises volume over design. Instead, your consultant will recommend a phased plan aimed at long‑term balance, sometimes mixing biostimulators or polynucleotides to improve skin health and reduce filler dependency over time.

Looking for non‑filler solutions for definition? Review jawline lifting and double‑chin options and facial volume & contour approaches, which may combine energy‑based tightening and conservative volumisation.

5) Aftercare: What to Expect After Dermal Fillers

Most people return to normal activities the same day. To minimise swelling and bruising: avoid strenuous exercise, heat exposure (sauna/steam), and alcohol for 24 hours. Keep the area clean, avoid pressure (e.g., firm facial massage, masking), and follow your personalised aftercare sheet. If you notice unusual pain, mottling, or visual symptoms, contact the clinic urgently — you’ll have a same‑day phone line for advice.

• Make‑up: Usually after 24 hours if skin is intact.
• Results: Immediate but “settled” appearance typically in 7–14 days.
• Follow‑up: Review is offered to assess integration and plan next steps.

Where Dermal Fillers Can Help: Areas & Indications

• Cheeks & mid‑face: restores projection and lift to soften nasolabial folds.
• Jawline & chin: improves definition, balances profile, and can downplay jowl shadows.
• Lips: hydration, edge definition, and proportion balance — not one‑size‑fits‑all.
• Temples: careful replenishment for hollowing in experienced hands.
• Perioral lines: fine support around mouth; often paired with anti‑wrinkle injections for expression control.
• Under‑eye support: periorbital rejuvenation for selected cases (skin quality and vascular issues assessed first).

If your main concern is facial volume loss, a combination of deep support and skin quality work (e.g., LED, medical hydro‑dermabrasion, microneedling, exosomes) can optimise outcomes.

Your Consultant‑Led Pathway at Skinhorizon Clinic (Maida Vale)

1. Medical consultation: clinical history, skin exam, photography, discussion of goals.
2. Treatment design: proportion analysis, product selection, volume budgeting, sequence planning.
3. Procedure: antisepsis, optional numbing, precision placement with needle and/or micro‑cannula.
4. Immediate review: early symmetry check and home aftercare instructions.
5. Follow‑up: review to confirm integration and address fine‑tuning or staged additions.

Prefer to stage improvements? We can start with skin quality treatments like Profhilo® or polynucleotides, revisit contour, and then explore Endolift® for firmness if suitable. This roadmap reduces the likelihood of “chasing” lines that are better treated by lift or skin improvement.

Special Scenarios: Under‑Eye, Skin of Colour, and Previous Filler

Under‑Eye (Tear Trough)

Not everyone is a candidate for tear trough filler. If the primary issue is pigment/vascular show‑through, lymphatic puffiness, or skin crepe, we may suggest non‑filler under‑eye options (e.g., energy‑based tightening, fractional CO₂ for texture, topical care). When we do use filler, it’s conservative and layered.

Skin of Colour

Our pigment‑aware protocols aim to minimise post‑inflammatory hyperpigmentation risk, with careful antisepsis, atraumatic technique, and tailored aftercare. We also counsel on concurrent conditions like melasma or hyperpigmentation that may need parallel management.

Previous Filler from Elsewhere

If you have residual product or irregularity, we assess with examination and, where appropriate, ultrasound. Options include smoothing with conservative placement or dissolving and restarting with a clean baseline for symmetry.

Alternatives & Complements to Filler

• Profhilo®: Bioremodeller for skin tone and elasticity.
• Polynucleotide injections: cellular‑level repair signalling for texture and fine lines.
• Endolift®: laser‑assisted tightening for jawline/neck in suitable candidates.
• Anti‑wrinkle injections: for dynamic lines and brow shaping.
• Microneedling, exosomes, medical hydro‑dermabrasion for texture and glow.

Who Is (and Isn’t) a Good Candidate?

You may be a candidate if you have proportion imbalances, volume loss, or contour softening and you’re seeking subtle, strategic enhancement. We’ll defer or modify treatment in pregnancy/breast‑feeding, active infection, or when uncontrolled skin disease is present (see dermatitis, rosacea, acne/folliculitis flares). If your goal is primarily fat‑pocket reduction, explore jawline/double‑chin options or Endolift®.

FAQs: Dermal Fillers in London