What Dermal Fillers Do
The fillers we use are made from hyaluronic acid, a substance the body produces naturally to help skin hold water. In gel form it adds structure and volume where it is placed. Firmer gels support areas such as the cheekbones and jawline; softer gels suit delicate areas like the lips.
Fillers work well for deepened nasolabial folds, flattened cheeks, thinning lips and a softening jawline. They are less useful for concerns that are not volume-related — fine surface lines and texture respond better to peels or micro-needling, and genuine skin laxity is not corrected by adding volume. If filler is the wrong tool for what is bothering you, we will say so and suggest what would work instead.
Why We Consult First
Faces work as a whole. Someone asking for lip filler may actually be responding to a loss of support around the mouth, and treating the lips alone would not achieve the balance they are after. The consultation covers your facial structure at rest and in movement, your medical history, and a frank conversation about what is realistically achievable.
It also establishes suitability. Filler is not offered during pregnancy or breastfeeding, and some medications and medical conditions make treatment inadvisable. In England it is illegal to administer dermal fillers for cosmetic purposes to anyone under 18.
Lip Fillers
Lip filler can add volume, restore fullness lost with age, improve definition or address asymmetry. The approach is conservative — small amounts placed and assessed rather than everything injected at once, because adding more later is straightforward while reducing an overfilled result means dissolving and waiting weeks to start again.
Expect noticeable swelling for the first 48 hours. Lips swell more than most areas, and the result you see on day one is not the result you will have at two weeks.
Micro-Needling
Also within our aesthetics menu, micro-needling uses fine needles to create controlled micro-injuries that stimulate the skin's own collagen production. It targets texture, acne scarring and overall skin quality rather than volume, and is often the better answer for someone whose concern is the surface of the skin rather than its shape.
Safety and Aftercare
Expect some swelling and possibly bruising for a few days. Avoid strenuous exercise, saunas and alcohol for 24 to 48 hours, and keep makeup off the treated area for the first 12 to 24 hours.
No injectable treatment is risk-free. Hyaluronic acid filler can be dissolved if needed, and we keep the means to do so on site. If you develop severe or escalating pain, blanching, or unusual discolouration after treatment, contact us immediately rather than waiting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a consultation before filler treatment?
Yes. A consultation is required before any filler treatment so we can assess your suitability, discuss what is achievable and agree a plan. It carries no obligation to proceed.
Does it hurt?
Most people describe brief pressure or stinging rather than significant pain. A topical numbing cream can be applied beforehand, and the fillers themselves contain a local anaesthetic.
How long do dermal fillers last?
Typically somewhere between six and eighteen months depending on the product, the area treated and your own metabolism. Lips tend to break down faster than structural areas such as cheeks.
Can fillers be reversed?
Hyaluronic acid fillers can be dissolved using an enzyme called hyaluronidase. This is one of the reasons we use them.
When will I see the final result?
Filler settles over roughly two weeks. Judging the outcome or booking any adjustment before then is premature.