Dermal Fillers
Restoring lost volume without disturbing the face’s own proportions.
Dermal filler is cross-linked hyaluronic acid injected beneath the skin to offset volume loss and support facial contours. The effect is visible immediately. Because hyaluronic acid occurs naturally in the body it is gradually absorbed, and it can be dissolved with hyaluronidase if needed.
At a glance
- Session length
- 30–45 minutes
- Sessions
- Single session; review after 2 weeks
- Effect begins
- Immediate; final result once swelling settles, within 2 weeks
- Duration of effect
- 6–18 months depending on area and product
- Recovery
- Back to social life the same day; bruising, if it occurs, 3–7 days
- Anaesthesia
- Topical cream; most products contain lidocaine
Who it is suitable for
Who it is suitable for
- People describing volume loss in the midface and cheek area
- Those with deepening nasolabial folds or perioral lines
- People seeking support along the chin and jawline
- Those who prefer a reversible option over surgery
Who it is not suitable for
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Active infection or inflammation at the treatment site
- Active autoimmune disease (requires physician assessment)
- Known allergy to hyaluronic acid or lidocaine
- Unrealistic expectations, or a request for extreme change in facial proportions
- Areas previously treated with permanent synthetic filler — this carries added risk
Step by step
Before your appointment
Plan the session at least two weeks before any important social event, as bruising is possible. Tell us about any blood-thinning medication or supplements. Avoid alcohol for 24 hours beforehand, as it increases bruising.
On the day
Your face is assessed both seated and standing, and target areas are marked. What will and will not be done is agreed before we begin. The area is cleansed and numbing cream is applied.
During the procedure
Depending on the area, either a needle or a blunt-tipped cannula is used; the cannula reduces the risk of vessel injury. Product is placed in small, controlled amounts, with periodic assessment in the mirror together.
How you will feel afterwards
Swelling, tenderness and sometimes bruising occur. In the first 48 hours the area may look fuller than the final result — this is swelling, not the outcome. Lip swelling is more pronounced and can last 3–5 days.
Follow-up
Do not press on the area for 24 hours and avoid sauna, steam rooms and intense exercise for 48 hours. At the two-week review we assess the result together and make a small adjustment if needed.
Risks and side effects
The following can occur with this treatment. Most are temporary; the rare and serious ones are noted separately.
- Swelling, tenderness and bruising — expected, lasting a few days
- Asymmetry or irregularity — correctable at the review appointment
- Palpable product (nodules), particularly with superficial placement
- Delayed-onset inflammatory reaction — rare and treatable
- Vascular occlusion — very rare but serious; it can cause tissue damage and vision loss. It requires emergency management, which is why the procedure must be performed by a physician with hyaluronidase immediately available.
Frequently asked questions
Can filler be reversed?
Yes. Hyaluronic acid fillers can be dissolved with the enzyme hyaluronidase. This is an important safety advantage if you are unhappy with the result or a complication develops. Permanent synthetic fillers offer no such reversal, which is why they are not preferred.
Will filler make my face look puffy?
A puffy look is not the result of correctly placed filler but of excessive volume or the wrong tissue plane. The amount used is limited per area and, if needed, spread over more than one session. The aim is a rested appearance, not a changed face.
How long does it last?
Between 6 and 18 months, depending on the area and the density of the product. It is absorbed faster in mobile areas such as the lips and lasts longer where it provides deep structural support. Metabolic rate, age and exercise habits also affect this.
What is the biggest risk and how is it minimised?
The most serious risk is the product blocking a blood vessel (vascular occlusion). It is very rare but can cause tissue loss and vision loss. Risk is reduced by a physician who knows facial vascular anatomy, using a blunt cannula where appropriate, low injection pressure and small volumes, with hyaluronidase kept ready in the clinic.