Dermal Fillers: Everything You Need to Know Before Your First Treatment

If you have been curious about dermal fillers but feel unsure where to begin, that is completely normal. They are one of the most requested treatments I see at my clinic on Wimpole Street, and the questions I hear are remarkably consistent: Will I still look like myself? Is it safe? What actually happens during the treatment? In this guide I want to answer all of that, in my own words, the way I would explain it to you across the consultation table.

What Are Dermal Fillers, Really?

Dermal fillers are injectable gels, most commonly made from hyaluronic acid — a substance your own body already produces to keep skin hydrated and plump. As we age, that natural supply depletes. Bone density shifts. Fat pads in the face migrate. The result is a face that looks tired or drawn even when you feel completely well. What I am doing when I use fillers is essentially restoring what was there before, not adding something foreign.

It is important to understand how they differ from anti-wrinkle injections. Anti-wrinkle treatments relax the muscles that create expression lines like forehead creases or crow's feet. Fillers physically restore volume and structure beneath the skin. They address completely different concerns, and I frequently use both together when a patient's goals call for it.

Which Areas Do I Treat With Fillers?

One of the reasons I find dermal fillers so clinically rewarding is how adaptable they are. Each area requires a different product, a different technique, and a different depth of placement — which is precisely why anatomical knowledge matters so much. Here are the areas I treat most frequently at my Marylebone clinic:

Not All Fillers Are the Same

This is something I feel strongly about clarifying because the word "filler" gets used as though it describes one single product. It does not. At my clinic I offer several different formulations because the right choice genuinely depends on what you need, where we are treating, and how long you want results to last.

How Long Do Dermal Fillers Actually Last?

Honestly, this depends on more variables than most people expect: your metabolism, the filler type, the area treated, how much movement that area experiences, and even factors like sun exposure and hydration. What I can offer is a realistic guide based on what I see consistently across my patient base:

Lip fillers	6–9 months
Nasolabial folds & marionette lines	9–12 months
Tear troughs	9–12 months
Cheeks & mid-face	12–18 months
Jawline & chin	12–18 months
Radiesse treatments	Up to 18 months
Sculptra course	Up to 2 years

I always book a follow-up two weeks after your first treatment, either in person or by phone, to review how everything has settled and make any refinements. It is part of every treatment, not an optional extra.

Will It Hurt?

This is the question I get asked most in the consultation room, always with a slightly anxious look. My honest answer is that most patients are genuinely surprised by how comfortable it is. Before I begin, I apply a topical numbing cream to the area. The fillers themselves also contain lidocaine, a local anaesthetic that kicks in almost immediately on contact with tissue.

Most people describe the sensation as pressure rather than pain. The most sensitive area is the lips, and even there the discomfort is brief and mild. After treatment you may have some swelling, redness, or light bruising, particularly around the lips or tear troughs. This typically settles within two to five days.

Why It Matters Who Injects You

I want to be direct about this because it is the most important part of this entire guide. Dermal fillers are not risk-free. When placed incorrectly, by someone without a thorough understanding of facial anatomy, the consequences can range from unnatural results to serious vascular complications that require urgent medical management. This is not meant to alarm you. It is meant to help you ask the right questions before you book anywhere.

I am a GMC-registered doctor holding an MBBS, MRCS, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Aesthetic Medicine. My background in surgery means I approach every injection with a level of anatomical awareness that goes well beyond what a short aesthetic course provides. You can read more about my training and approach on my About page. When you are researching clinics, I would always encourage you to ask about a practitioner's medical qualifications, not just their portfolio.

Combining Fillers With Other Treatments

Some of the most remarkable results I achieve come not from fillers alone but from combining them thoughtfully with complementary treatments. Here is what I most commonly pair together and why:

Profhilo is one I recommend very frequently alongside fillers. While fillers restore shape and volume, Profhilo works deeper in the tissue to remodel skin quality, hydration, and elasticity from within. The two together produce results that look genuinely rejuvenated rather than simply volumised. Polynucleotides are another treatment I have incorporated increasingly into my practice, particularly for patients with skin laxity, dark circles, or early signs of ageing that sit just outside what fillers alone can address.

What Happens at Your Consultation With Me

Every new patient begins with a thorough, no-pressure consultation. I will look at your face as a whole rather than focusing immediately on whatever concern brought you in, because the areas that bother us most are often a symptom of something happening elsewhere structurally. I will explain what I see, what I recommend, and why. I will also be honest if I think a different treatment would serve you better than fillers.

I believe in full transparency around cost, so you can review our pricing guide before you even book. You are also welcome to browse my before and after gallery to get a sense of how I work and the kind of results I prioritise. If you have questions before booking, reach me directly via WhatsApp or through the contact page. I am always happy to have a brief conversation before you commit to anything.