Dermal fillers are injectable substances that restore lost volume, smooth wrinkles, enhance lips, and reshape facial contours. Most modern fillers are made of hyaluronic acid (HA), a substance naturally found in your skin that attracts and retains water.

No. HA is the most common and safest (reversible). Other types include calcium hydroxyapatite (Radiesse), poly-L-lactic acid (Sculptra), and collagen. Permanent fillers (PMMA, silicone) are NOT recommended because they cannot be removed if something goes wrong.

Botox relaxes muscles to soften expression wrinkles (frown lines, crow's feet). Filler adds volume to fill deep wrinkles, enhance lips, cheeks, jawline, and under-eye hollows. They are often combined in the same session.

Most patients describe it as a tolerable pinch. Modern fillers contain lidocaine (anaesthetic) mixed in. Topical numbing cream can also be applied 20-30 minutes before. Lips hurt more because they are highly innervated, but it only lasts seconds.

Typically 20-45 minutes, depending on the number of areas treated. One syringe (1ml) is usually enough for one or two areas (e.g., lips or one cheek).

Lips: 0.5-1ml total. Nasolabial folds: 1ml per side. Cheeks: 1-2ml per side. Tear troughs: 0.5-1ml per side. Jawline: 2-3ml per side. More is not better — natural results come from subtle changes.

The most reputable brands are Juvederm (Allergan), Restylane (Galderma), Teosyal (Teoxane), Belotero (Merz), and Princess (Croma). Each has different formulations for specific areas (lips, cheeks, under eyes).

Average price: £250-600 per 1ml. Very cheap fillers (£100-150) are either fake, diluted, or imported from unreliable sources. High prices (£600+) may reflect the doctor's expertise, not just the product.

Absolutely NOT. 90% of fillers sold online are fake or non-sterile. They may contain industrial silicone, cooking oil, or unsterile HA. Risks include infection, necrosis, blindness, and permanent disfigurement. Only a registered doctor should inject fillers.

Permanent fillers (PMMA, silicone, Aquamid) last forever. NO reputable doctor uses them in the face today. Why? If something goes wrong (lump, infection, migration), there is no way to remove them cleanly. You need surgery, and sometimes even that doesn't work. Run from "lifetime filler".

Different brands have different cross-linking technologies, particle sizes, and hardness. Juvederm uses VYCROSS and VYCROSS 17 (more lift). Restylane uses NASHA technology (more defined). Teosyal uses patented cross-linking for natural results. Your doctor chooses based on the area and your anatomy.

No. HA molecules are too large to penetrate intact skin. Creams hydrate the surface temporarily but do NOT add volume or fill wrinkles. They are not a substitute for injectable fillers. Oral HA supplements may improve general skin hydration but don't replace a syringe.

Depends on the area and product: Lips: 6-9 months (high movement). Nasolabial folds: 9-12 months. Cheeks: 12-18 months. Tear troughs: 12-18 months. Jawline: 12-18 months. The body gradually absorbs the HA over time.

Pillow face is an overfilled, puffy appearance, especially in the cheeks. It happens when too much filler is injected or when layers accumulate without dissolving previous filler. A good doctor prioritises natural results and never overloads the face.

Filler fatigue has two meanings. First, skin stretching: if you inject large amounts for years, the skin can stretch. When filler dissolves, skin may appear looser. Second, accumulated filler: if you never dissolve and keep adding, the face looks heavy. Solution: dissolve periodically and start fresh. Don't just keep adding layers.

No. Your skin returns to its original state, not worse. However, because you got used to seeing yourself with more volume, the contrast may make you feel your skin looks more sunken. That's psychological, not real. In fact, HA fillers stimulate collagen, so skin may look slightly better after repeated treatments.

Not necessarily. Initially, 1ml shows a big change. Over time, your skin may produce more collagen and require less. If you need more, it's often because previous filler hasn't fully dissolved and your doctor is accumulating layers. Dissolve and redo rather than keep adding.

Well-integrated filler does not "slide" down the face like a liquid (that's a myth). However, poor-quality filler or poor injection technique can migrate slightly. Also, strong pressure or trauma in the first 48 hours can displace it. That's why aftercare instructions exist.

Yes, but only for the hollow (the groove between the lower eyelid and cheek), NOT for dark circles (which are vascular). This is a high-risk area because arteries go directly to the eye. Only an experienced medical doctor should perform tear trough filler.

Yes, HA filler can camouflage a small hump, lift the tip slightly, or correct minor asymmetries. It CANNOT make a wide nose narrower or reduce a large hump. Risk of blindness is real (artery occlusion). Only for experienced doctors. Results last 12-18 months.

Yes, jawline filler (in the angle of the mandible) and chin projection are common and effective. They provide structure and definition without surgery. Duration: 12-18 months. A cannula is safer than a needle for these areas.

Yes, HA filler can restore volume to ageing hands, reducing the visibility of tendons and veins. Duration: 12-18 months. Radiesse (calcium hydroxyapatite) is also popular for hands because it's thicker and stimulates collagen.

Not recommended. Neck skin is thin, and filler can form visible lumps or nodules. For the neck, treatments like polydioxanone (PDO) threads, radiofrequency, or surgery are better options.

Yes, HA filler can increase penile girth. However, complications are common: irregular bumps, asymmetry, product migration, and difficulty dissolving because hyaluronidase may not reach evenly. If considering this, see a specialised urologist, not an aesthetic doctor.

Not with HA filler. You would need enormous volumes (risky and expensive). For buttocks, fat transfer or silicone implants are standard. HA filler for buttocks carries a risk of pulmonary embolism if injected into a vein.

For high-risk areas (cheeks, temples, tear troughs, jawline), a cannula (blunt-tipped tube) is SAFER because it pushes blood vessels aside rather than cutting them. Needles (sharp) are used for small areas like lips. A doctor who only uses needles for everything is a red flag.

Yes, slightly more, because filler is thicker and some areas (lips) are more sensitive. However, most fillers contain lidocaine anaesthetic. Topical numbing cream can also be used. The pain lasts seconds.

Immediately after injection, you may feel small bumps (normal, they settle in 1-2 weeks). After 2 weeks, well-integrated HA filler should NOT be noticeable with light touch. If you press hard, you might feel something. In lips, your partner should NOT feel filler when kissing if it's well done.

No. HA filler is a gel, not a balloon. It won't "pop" or break. However, biting hard could temporarily deform it. Avoid lip biting for the first week.

Overfilled or superficially placed filler can look shiny or translucent because HA attracts water and stretches the skin. That's a sign of too much product or poor technique. A good result looks natural, not shiny.

Bruising (haematoma) and swelling are very common and last 5-10 days. Asymmetrical swelling is normal for the first 72 hours. Small visible bumps may appear but usually settle or can be massaged.

When filler is placed too superficially (especially under eyes or lips), light scatters and creates a bluish tint. It's a technique error. It can be dissolved with hyaluronidase and redone at a deeper level.

If filler enters an artery, it blocks blood flow. Signs: severe pain, white or mottled skin, coldness. If not treated within hours, skin can die (necrosis). If the blocked artery goes to the eye, blindness can occur (rare: 1 in 50,000-100,000 injections).

Yes, but it is extremely rare. It happens when filler is injected into the ophthalmic artery (which supplies the eye). The highest-risk areas are the nose, glabella (between eyebrows), and tear troughs. That's why only experienced doctors should inject these zones.

Call your doctor IMMEDIATELY. Signs: intense pain, pale or white skin, coldness, blurred vision. Your doctor should have hyaluronidase (the dissolver) on hand to inject into the artery within hours. Hyaluronidase can save the skin and potentially vision.

True allergy to hyaluronic acid is extremely rare because HA is a natural molecule in your body. However, if you are allergic to egg or bird protein, some fillers (manufactured using bacterial fermentation with those media) may cause a reaction. Tell your doctor your allergies.

Yes, small lumps can appear. They may be from product accumulation, poor technique, or biofilm (low-grade infection). Most can be massaged or dissolved. If they persist, see your doctor. Do NOT attempt to remove them yourself.

Only hyaluronic acid fillers can be dissolved. Hyaluronidase (an enzyme) breaks down HA molecules within 24-48 hours. Calcium hydroxyapatite (Radiesse), poly-L-lactic acid (Sculptra), and permanent fillers CANNOT be dissolved. Surgery may be required.

It stings a bit more than filler because it usually doesn't contain lidocaine. However, the pain lasts seconds. The effect is fast: you'll see improvement within hours and full results in 1-2 days.

Yes, temporarily. It also breaks down your skin's natural HA. You may notice slightly thinner or more sunken skin for 2-4 weeks. However, your body regenerates its own HA quickly. There is no permanent damage.

They return to their original size. However, if filler has stretched the skin over several years, lips may be slightly looser than before. It's close to natural, but not identical to never having filler.

Yes. Your doctor can inject small amounts of hyaluronidase to reduce volume without complete elimination. This requires precise technique and is best done by the same doctor who injected the filler.

No makeup (risk of infection). No rubbing or massaging (unless instructed). No intense exercise. No alcohol (increases bruising). No extreme heat (sauna, sun, tanning bed). No extreme cold (cryotherapy, direct ice). No sleeping face down (pressure on filler).

Wait 12-24 hours. Use clean brushes and avoid rubbing the injection sites. Mineral powder makeup is best for covering bruises. Avoid heavy foundation or cream products for the first day.

Yes, cabin pressure does not affect filler. However, cabin air is very dry, which may increase swelling. Stay hydrated. Avoid sleeping with your face against the window.

If you had lip or chin filler, wait 2 weeks. Dental tools (retractors, suction) can displace fresh filler. Inform your dentist if you need treatment sooner.

Wait at least 2 weeks. Heat from lasers and radiofrequency can accelerate filler breakdown or cause inflammation. Some lasers can be used immediately if the wavelength is safe (ask your doctor).

No. There are no safety studies in pregnant or lactating humans. No ethical doctor will inject a pregnant woman for aesthetic treatment. Wait until after pregnancy and breastfeeding.

It depends. Lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and scleroderma may increase the risk of inflammation or nodules. If your disease is stable and controlled by your rheumatologist, it's possible. In active flare, avoid. Always consult your specialist first.

Wait at least 6 months after finishing isotretinoin. The drug affects wound healing and increases the risk of scarring and abnormal granulation tissue.

No. The needle prick can reactivate or spread the herpes. Wait until the lesion is completely healed. If you are prone to cold sores, your doctor may prescribe prophylactic antivirals before treatment.

Yes, but you will bruise more. Aspirin, ibuprofen, warfarin, apixaban, and supplements (omega-3, vitamin E, ginkgo) increase bleeding risk. Inform your doctor. Do NOT stop prescribed anticoagulants without consulting your haematologist or cardiologist.

In most countries, NO. Dermal fillers are a prescription-only medical device. Only a registered medical doctor (or sometimes a nurse under doctor supervision) can legally inject them. If an aesthetician offers fillers, you are being treated by an unlicensed practitioner — RUN.

Lipofilling is harvesting your own fat (via liposuction) and reinjecting it into the face or body. Results last longer than HA fillers (years), but absorption is unpredictable (30-70% may disappear). Requires a surgical procedure. Fat is NOT reversible like HA filler.

No. Hyaluronic acid is a natural molecule in your body. There is no evidence linking HA fillers to cancer. However, permanent fillers (PMMA, silicone) can cause chronic inflammation, and some animal studies suggest theoretical risks. Yet another reason to avoid permanent fillers.

Yes, fillers are safe on all skin types. However, complications like bruising, hyperpigmentation, or keloid scarring may be more visible or more common in darker skin. Choose an experienced doctor familiar with diverse skin types.

Signs of a good doctor: 1) Is a registered medical doctor (check GMC or equivalent). 2) Uses cannula for high-risk areas. 3) Has hyaluronidase on hand. 4) Shows you the sealed vial before opening. 5) Doesn't promise miracles. 6) Admits risks honestly. 7) Has before/after photos of natural results.

For the right candidate, yes. Fillers can restore youthful volume, enhance features, and boost confidence without surgery. But they are not cheap, not permanent, and carry real risks. The key is choosing an experienced doctor, not chasing bargains. If you go to the cheapest clinic, you may pay with your face.