Dermal filler adds structure where the face has lost it, or never had much of it. Done well, it should be the kind of change people cannot quite name.
What it is
Dermal fillers are gels made from hyaluronic acid, a sugar the body already produces and uses to hold water. A small amount is placed under the skin to support, soften or subtly reshape an area.
They are temporary. Depending on the product, the area and your own metabolism, filler generally lasts somewhere between six and eighteen months before the body breaks it down. They are also reversible: hyaluronic acid filler can be dissolved with an enzyme if you change your mind, or if there is ever a problem.
Filler adds volume. It does not tighten loose skin, and it is not a substitute for good skincare, weight change or surgery. If one of those is what would actually help you, I will say so.
Who it suits, and who it does not
It may suit you if
- You would like more structure or definition in a specific area, such as cheeks, chin or jaw.
- You are in good general health, and not pregnant or breastfeeding.
- You want a subtle change and are comfortable building up gradually over more than one visit.
- You are happy to be assessed face to face before anything is agreed.
It is not for you if
- You are under 18. It is a criminal offence in England to give cosmetic filler to anyone under 18, and I do not treat under-18s.
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- You have an active skin infection, cold sore or inflammation in the area.
- You are unwell, or take medication that makes treatment unsafe. We go through this properly at the consultation.
- You want a dramatic change, or someone else is pushing you to have it done.
- Price is your main priority. That is a legitimate position, but it is not what this service is.
At the consultation
- We start with what is actually bothering you, rather than with a product.
- I take a full medical history: conditions, medication, allergies, previous treatments, and anything you have had dissolved before.
- I assess your face in person, in good light, at rest and moving. Facial anatomy varies a great deal between people, and where it is safe to place filler depends on yours.
- We agree a plan, the amount and the cost. Nothing is booked on the spot.
- There is a minimum 72 hours between consultation and treatment, so you have time to think it over.
Read more about what happens at a consultation.
On the day
- The area is cleansed thoroughly, and photographs may be taken for your clinical records.
- Topical numbing cream is applied if you would like it. Most fillers also contain local anaesthetic.
- Filler is placed with a fine needle or a blunt-tipped cannula, depending on the area.
- Treatment usually takes 30 to 45 minutes including preparation.
- You will see a change immediately, but swelling means the honest answer is to judge it at two weeks.
Aftercare and recovery
- Keep the area clean and leave makeup off for the rest of the day.
- Skip strenuous exercise, alcohol, saunas, steam rooms and very hot environments for 24 hours.
- Try not to press, rub or massage the area unless you have been told to.
- Some swelling, tenderness or small bruises are normal and settle over a few days.
- Filler settles over about two weeks. Try not to assess the result before then.
You are not left on your own afterwards. If anything does not feel right (pain that is unusual or increasing, significant colour changes in the skin, or anything that simply worries you), contact me straight away rather than waiting. Being able to reach the medical professional who treated you is the whole point of being medically led.
This is general guidance, not personal medical advice. The aftercare instructions you are given at your own appointment always come first.
Pricing
- Facial balancing (1.1ml)£150
- Facial balancing (2.2ml)£250
- Facial balancing (3.3ml)£350
- Facial balancing (4.4ml)£450
- Elective dissolve£120
- Dissolve & refill£200
Prices are a guide and confirmed at your consultation. How much you need depends on your face, not on a package. Lip pricing is on the lip filler page.
Common questions
Does dermal filler hurt?
Most people describe it as uncomfortable rather than painful. Numbing cream is available and most fillers contain local anaesthetic, so the first injection tends to be the sharpest part.
How long does dermal filler last?
Generally six to eighteen months, depending on the product, the area and how quickly your body breaks it down. Areas that move a lot go sooner than firmer areas such as cheeks or chin.
Will it look obvious?
It should not. The aim is that people notice you look well, rather than that you have had something done. That is easier to achieve by treating conservatively and reviewing, which is why I would rather start with less.
Can dermal filler be removed?
Yes. Hyaluronic acid filler can be dissolved using an enzyme called hyaluronidase. I offer this as a planned treatment and, where clinically needed, urgently.
How much filler will I need?
That is genuinely not answerable before I have seen you. It depends on your anatomy and on what you are trying to achieve. We agree the amount at your consultation and you will know the cost before anything is booked.
What is the downtime?
Most people return to normal life the same day. Expect some swelling for two to three days, and be aware that bruising is possible, so do not book it the day before an event.
Why does it have to be face to face?
Because assessing whether a treatment is safe and suitable requires someone to examine your face and go through your medical history in person. It is also what accountable practice requires.
What happens if something goes wrong?
You contact me and I deal with it. As a nurse prescriber I can assess, prescribe and manage complications myself, and I hold insurance that includes complication and emergency cover.
Think this might be right for you?
Every treatment begins with a face-to-face consultation. Prices are a guide and confirmed at that appointment.