TL;DR
- Dermal fillers are gel-like injectable treatments, most often made from hyaluronic acid, used to restore lost volume and smooth lines in the face.
- Results are visible immediately and typically last 6 to 18 months depending on the product and treatment area.
- The three main filler families are hyaluronic acid, calcium hydroxylapatite and poly-L-lactic acid, each suited to different concerns.
- Fillers are not the same as anti-wrinkle injections. Fillers add volume, anti-wrinkle injections relax muscle movement.
- In the UK, fillers are not classed as a medical device requiring a prescription in the same way Botox is, so practitioner training matters as much as the product used.
What Dermal Fillers Actually Are
Dermal fillers are injectable gels placed just under the skin to add volume, soften lines and reshape areas of the face. Most are made from hyaluronic acid (HA), a sugar molecule your body already produces to keep skin hydrated and full. As we age, natural HA, collagen and fat in the face reduce, which is why cheeks hollow, nasolabial folds deepen and lips thin (British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, 2025). Fillers replace that lost volume rather than paralysing muscle movement, which is the job anti-wrinkle injections do instead.
How Dermal Fillers Work Under the Skin
Once injected, HA fillers bind with water in the surrounding tissue and physically lift the treated area from underneath. Some formulations also stimulate a small amount of new collagen production over time, which is why results can look slightly better a few weeks after treatment, once any swelling has settled. Calcium hydroxylapatite and poly-L-lactic acid work differently. They encourage the body’s own collagen response rather than simply plumping the area, so the change builds gradually across several weeks rather than appearing all at once.
The Main Types of Dermal Filler
Not every filler is built for the same job, and the material used affects how natural the result feels and how long it lasts.
| Filler Type | Main Ingredient | Best For | Typical Longevity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hyaluronic acid (HA) | Hyaluronic acid | Lips, cheeks, tear troughs, nasolabial folds | 6 to 18 months |
| Calcium hydroxylapatite | Calcium hydroxylapatite | Jawline definition, deeper structural lift | 12 to 18 months |
| Poly-L-lactic acid | Poly-L-lactic acid | Gradual, subtle volume restoration across the face | Up to 2 years |
HA remains the most widely used family in UK clinics because it is reversible with an enzyme called hyaluronidase if a client wants it dissolved, which is one reason it is considered the safer starting point for first-time patients. We’ve written more on how specific HA ranges are used in dermal fillers with Teoxane, one of the product families used at the clinic.
Where Dermal Fillers Are Used on the Face
Fillers are not just for lips, though that is the most talked-about use. Common treatment areas include:
- Cheeks, to restore volume lost with age or naturally flatter bone structure
- Lips, for shape, hydration or subtle enhancement
- Tear troughs, to soften hollows under the eyes
- Jawline and chin, for definition and balance
- Nasolabial folds and marionette lines, to soften the lines running from nose to mouth
In practice, the most natural-looking results tend to come from treating the face as a whole rather than one area in isolation. A hollow cheek can make a nasolabial fold look deeper than it is, so restoring cheek volume first often means you need less filler around the mouth. You can see how this is approached across our dermal filler treatments, which start with an assessment of the whole face rather than a single feature.
How Long Dermal Fillers Last
Longevity depends on the product, the area treated and how quickly an individual’s body metabolises HA. Thinner-skinned, high-movement areas like lips tend to break down filler faster, often within 6 to 9 months, while structural areas like the cheeks or jawline can hold volume for 12 to 18 months (American Society of Plastic Surgeons, 2024). Poly-L-lactic acid is the outlier here, since its collagen-stimulating effect can be visible for up to two years even though the product itself is not adding direct volume.
Dermal Fillers vs Anti-Wrinkle Injections
These two treatments are often confused, but they solve different problems and are frequently used together for a fuller result.
| Dermal fillers | Anti-wrinkle injections | |
| What they do | Add volume and structure | Relax muscle movement |
| Best for | Static lines, hollows, lip and cheek volume | Dynamic lines from expression (forehead, frown lines, crow’s feet) |
| Onset | Immediate | 3 to 14 days |
| Typical duration | 6 to 18 months | 3 to 4 months |
Someone with a deep frown line caused by muscle movement usually needs anti-wrinkle injections rather than filler, since adding volume to a moving muscle will not stop the line reforming.
What a Dermal Filler Appointment Involves
A first appointment should start with a consultation, not a needle. A qualified practitioner will ask about your medical history, current medication and what you want to change, then map out a plan before any injection happens. The treatment itself typically takes 30 to 45 minutes. A topical numbing cream is often applied first, and most modern fillers also contain a small amount of local anaesthetic mixed into the gel, so discomfort is usually mild.
Mild swelling, tenderness or small bruises are common for the first 24 to 48 hours. Most clients return to normal activities the same day, though intense exercise, alcohol and saunas are usually best avoided for 24 hours to reduce swelling.
Side Effects, Risks and Who Should Avoid Fillers
Dermal fillers are generally well tolerated, but they are still a medical procedure and carry real risks when performed poorly. Reported side effects include bruising, swelling, asymmetry, lumps, and in rare cases, vascular occlusion, where filler is accidentally injected into or compresses a blood vessel (British College of Aesthetic Medicine, 2024). This is one of the reasons injector training matters as much as the filler brand.
Fillers are generally not recommended for anyone who is pregnant or breastfeeding, has an active skin infection in the treatment area, or has a known allergy to the filler ingredients. Anyone on blood thinners should also flag this at consultation, since it increases bruising risk.
Why Practitioner Qualification Matters More in the UK Than You’d Think
Most guides written for a US audience lean heavily on FDA approval as the reassurance point. That framing does not map cleanly onto the UK. Dermal fillers here are classed as cosmetic products rather than prescription-only medicines, which means, unlike Botox, there is currently no legal requirement for the person injecting you to hold a medical qualification (Save Face UK, 2024). In practice, this is the single biggest factor in outcome and safety, more than which filler brand is used.
Look for a practitioner who is GDC, NMC or GMC registered, trained specifically in facial anatomy and injectables, and willing to say no to a treatment if it is not the right fit for your face. A rushed five-minute filler session with no consultation is a warning sign regardless of how the product is marketed.
Dermal Filler Cost in London
Prices vary by area treated, product used and practitioner experience. In central London, including South Kensington, Knightsbridge and Chelsea, lip filler typically starts from around £250 to £350 per syringe, with cheek or jawline treatments often running higher due to the volume of product used. Cheaper is not automatically riskier, and expensive is not automatically better. The consultation quality and the practitioner’s training are better indicators of value than price alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do dermal fillers hurt?
Most clients describe pressure and mild stinging rather than sharp pain, especially since numbing cream and built-in local anaesthetic are standard with most modern fillers.
How soon will I see results from dermal fillers?
Results are visible immediately, though final shape settles once swelling reduces, usually within one to two weeks.
Can dermal fillers be dissolved if I don’t like the result?
Yes, hyaluronic acid fillers can be dissolved using an enzyme called hyaluronidase, which is one reason HA is often recommended for first-time patients.
Are dermal fillers safe?
When performed by a trained, registered practitioner using licensed products, fillers have a strong safety record, though all injectable treatments carry some risk of side effects.
What is the difference between dermal fillers and Botox?
Fillers add volume using a gel substance, while Botox and other anti-wrinkle injections relax the muscles that cause expression lines. They target different concerns and are often combined.
How do I choose the right filler for my face?
This depends on your goals, skin type and facial anatomy, which is why a proper consultation matters more than picking a specific brand name in advance.