Dermal Fillers in the UK: Types, Costs, Results, Risks and What to Expect

Dermal fillers have become one of the most visible non-surgical aesthetic treatments in the UK. They are used to add volume, alter facial proportions, soften selected lines and replace some of the fullness that changes with age.

The treatment is often presented as quick and straightforward: a short appointment, little downtime and an immediate result. That description is only partly true.

Most filler appointments are relatively brief, and many people experience no serious problems. However, filler is an implantable substance placed beneath or within the skin, sometimes close to important blood vessels, nerves and delicate structures around the eyes. Poor product selection, unsuitable treatment, excessive volume or inaccurate injection can cause complications ranging from persistent swelling and lumps to infection, tissue damage and, very rarely, loss of vision.

There is also no single treatment called “filler”. Products differ in composition, consistency, longevity and intended use. Filling the lips is not the same as treating the cheeks, chin, jawline or under-eye area, and experience in one part of the face does not automatically establish competence in another.

This guide explains what dermal fillers are, where they are used, how long results last, what they cost in the UK, what can go wrong and how to choose a safer practitioner.

For broader advice on qualifications, regulation, consultations and clinic red flags, read our guide to choosing a safe aesthetic clinic or practitioner.

Important: This article provides general information rather than individual medical advice. Seek urgent medical assessment after filler if you develop severe or increasing pain, unusual skin colour changes, visual disturbance, weakness, facial drooping or difficulty speaking.

What are dermal fillers?

Dermal fillers are substances injected into or beneath the skin to change volume, contour, structure or surface appearance. Depending on the product and technique, filler may be placed very superficially within the skin or deeper over bone and within soft tissue.

The word “dermal” can be misleading because not every filler is placed strictly within the dermis, which is one of the skin’s deeper layers. In everyday aesthetic medicine, the term covers a range of injectable products used in different tissue planes.

Fillers do not work in the same way as botulinum toxin injections. Botulinum toxin temporarily reduces the activity of selected muscles. Dermal fillers physically occupy space, attract water, support tissue or stimulate biological responses, depending on the material used.

This means filler may help with concerns such as:

naturally thin or asymmetrical lips;
age-related loss of facial volume;
flattening of the cheeks;
a small or recessed chin;
selected facial folds and shadows;
some forms of acne scarring;
changes in facial balance or proportion; and
reconstruction after injury, illness or treatment.

Filler cannot stop facial ageing, permanently lift loose skin or reliably correct every line. It also cannot replace surgery where the main concern is substantial skin laxity, prominent fat pads or structural change that requires an operation.

Hyaluronic acid fillers

Hyaluronic acid fillers are among the most commonly used facial fillers. Hyaluronic acid is a substance naturally present in the body, although the gel in an injectable product is manufactured and modified so that it remains in tissue for a useful period.

Different hyaluronic acid fillers are designed with different levels of firmness, flexibility and water attraction. A soft product may be selected for a mobile area such as the lips, while a firmer product may be used to provide structural support in the cheeks or chin.

One advantage of hyaluronic acid filler is that it can often be broken down with an enzyme called hyaluronidase. This can be important when a result is unwanted or when urgent treatment is needed for certain complications.

However, “dissolvable” does not mean completely reversible in every situation. Dissolving may require several sessions, may affect naturally occurring hyaluronic acid temporarily and cannot necessarily undo infection, scarring, tissue damage or every change caused by previous treatment.

Other filler materials

Other products may contain materials such as calcium hydroxylapatite, poly-L-lactic acid or polymethylmethacrylate. Some mainly provide immediate volume, while others are intended partly to stimulate collagen formation over time.

These products have different durations, uses and options if the outcome is unsatisfactory. Some cannot be dissolved in the way that hyaluronic acid can. Permanent or long-lasting fillers deserve particular caution because delayed complications may be difficult to treat.

Ask for the exact product name, manufacturer and composition before treatment. Do not accept an injection described only as “premium filler”, “Korean filler”, “collagen filler” or “a skin booster” without knowing precisely what it contains.

Which areas can dermal fillers treat?

Filler is used in many areas of the face, but the goals and risks are not the same everywhere. A practitioner should assess the face as a whole rather than treating a feature simply because it appears on a price list.

Lip filler

Lip filler may be used to add volume, improve symmetry, define the border or alter the relative proportions of the upper and lower lips.

The lips commonly swell after treatment, and the appearance during the first few days is not the final result. Bruising, tenderness and temporary unevenness may occur. Excessive volume, repeated treatment before swelling settles or poor placement can create migration, distortion or an unnatural shelf above the lip.

People with a history of cold sores should tell the practitioner because injections around the lips may trigger another episode. Preventative antiviral medicine may sometimes be considered by an appropriate prescriber.

Cheek filler

Cheek filler may be used to restore age-related volume, increase projection or support the middle part of the face. The treatment is sometimes promoted as a non-surgical lift, although the lifting effect is limited and varies considerably.

Adding cheek volume does not automatically improve every lower-face concern. Too much product can make the face appear wider, heavy or overfilled, particularly when repeated treatments accumulate.

Chin and jawline filler

Chin filler may alter projection, length or symmetry. Jawline filler is used to create definition, disguise selected irregularities or change the balance between the lower face and neck.

Meaningful jawline enhancement can require substantial product, which increases cost and may create a bulky result. Filler cannot remove loose skin or reduce fat beneath the chin.

A recessed chin, significant bite problem or marked facial asymmetry may need dental, orthodontic or surgical assessment rather than repeated filler.

Nasolabial folds and marionette lines

Nasolabial folds run from the sides of the nose towards the corners of the mouth. Marionette lines extend downwards from the mouth.

These are normal facial structures rather than defects. They can become more noticeable as facial volume, skin elasticity and underlying support change.

Injecting directly into a fold is not always the best approach. In some people, treating nearby structural volume loss may produce a more balanced result. In others, filler creates little meaningful improvement because skin laxity rather than volume loss is the main issue.

Tear-trough and under-eye filler

Under-eye filler is intended to reduce selected hollows or shadows between the lower eyelid and cheek. It is one of the most difficult filler treatments to perform and is not suitable for every type of dark circle or eye bag.

Filler can worsen puffiness where there is fluid retention, prominent fat, loose skin or poor lymphatic drainage. Delayed swelling may develop months or even years after treatment, and product may remain visible as a blue-grey colour beneath thin skin.

The area is also anatomically sensitive. Anyone considering tear-trough filler should choose a practitioner with substantial experience in the under-eye region and a clear understanding of when not to inject.

Nose filler

Non-surgical rhinoplasty uses filler to camouflage selected irregularities, alter the apparent shape of the bridge or create the appearance of a lifted tip.

It cannot make a large nose physically smaller, improve breathing or provide the same structural changes as surgery. Adding filler may make the nose appear straighter from some angles by increasing overall volume.

The nose is considered a particularly high-risk area because of its blood-vessel anatomy and connections with the circulation around the eye. Treatment should only be considered after a detailed discussion of the potentially severe complications and available surgical alternatives.

Temple, forehead and other areas

Filler may also be used in the temples, forehead, hands, earlobes and selected scars. These are not automatically routine treatments simply because clinics offer them.

Temple and forehead injections can involve important vessels and should be performed only by practitioners with appropriate anatomical knowledge and experience.

What happens during a filler consultation and appointment?

A safe appointment begins before the needle touches the skin. The practitioner should assess your medical history, expectations, anatomy, previous treatments and suitability.

The consultation should be conducted by the person who will treat you or by another appropriately qualified clinician who has a clearly defined role in your care. A salesperson or treatment coordinator can discuss scheduling and prices, but should not make the clinical decision.

Medical and treatment history

You may be asked about:

allergies and previous allergic reactions;
prescription and non-prescription medicines;
blood-thinning treatment;
bleeding or clotting conditions;
autoimmune or inflammatory disease;
pregnancy or breastfeeding;
active infections or skin conditions;
cold sores;
recent or planned dental procedures;
previous filler, including product and treatment area;
permanent implants or threads;
past complications; and
your tendency to develop raised scars or pigmentation.

Do not stop prescribed medicine without advice from the clinician responsible for it merely to make an elective filler appointment possible.

Facial assessment

The practitioner should examine the treatment area at rest and during movement. They may consider facial proportions, skin quality, bone structure, fat distribution, muscle activity and asymmetry.

Every face is naturally asymmetrical. Filler can sometimes reduce a visible imbalance, but it cannot make both sides perfectly identical.

The assessment should also identify whether filler is the wrong treatment. A skin lesion, active acne infection, unexplained swelling, dental problem or underlying medical condition may need to be addressed first.

Consent and photographs

You should receive understandable information about the proposed product, amount, treatment plan, expected result, alternatives, limitations and complications.

Signing a consent form does not replace a proper conversation. You should have time to ask questions and should not be pressured by a discount that expires immediately.

Clinical photographs are commonly taken to document the starting point and treatment outcome. Consent for clinical records should be distinguished from permission to use images in advertising or on social media.

The injection procedure

The skin is usually cleaned, and the treatment area may be marked. Pain relief may come from topical anaesthetic cream, local anaesthetic or lidocaine already contained within the filler.

Filler can be placed using a needle or a blunt-ended cannula. Neither method is universally safer for every area. The choice depends on anatomy, product, injection plane and practitioner technique.

The appointment may take around 30 to 60 minutes, although complex treatment plans can take longer. The practitioner may inject gradually, examine the result and make small adjustments rather than using the entire planned amount automatically.

How much do dermal fillers cost in the UK?

Dermal filler prices vary widely across the UK. Clinics may charge by syringe, by treatment area, by product or as part of a wider facial plan.

As a broad private-market guide, treatment involving one syringe of hyaluronic acid filler commonly costs roughly £200 to £450. Prices can be higher in major cities, for specialist treatment areas, for particular brands or when the practitioner has advanced medical or surgical expertise.

A larger treatment plan involving cheeks, chin, jawline or several parts of the face may cost £600 to more than £2,000, depending on the volume and complexity involved.

These figures are not fixed tariffs. Before booking, confirm what the advertised price includes.

Why filler prices differ

The cost may reflect:

the practitioner’s qualifications and experience;
the clinic’s location and facilities;
the filler brand and product type;
the amount of product used;
the difficulty and risk of the treatment area;
consultation time;
follow-up appointments;
emergency and complication support; and
professional insurance and clinical overheads.

A low price does not prove that treatment is unsafe, while a high price does not guarantee expertise. However, unusually cheap filler should prompt questions about the product source, practitioner training, insurance and aftercare.

Is filler available on the NHS?

Dermal filler used only to change appearance is not normally funded by the NHS. In limited circumstances, injectable treatment may form part of medically necessary reconstructive care, such as treatment for disease-related facial volume loss, trauma or congenital difference.

Routine lip enhancement, cheek augmentation and facial contouring are private treatments.

Think about long-term cost

Filler is usually temporary or long-lasting rather than a one-off permanent solution. Maintenance appointments can make the multi-year cost considerably higher than the first advertised price.

Do not assume that you will need exactly the same amount at every appointment. Product may remain in the tissues longer than expected, and automatically repeating the original volume can lead to gradual overfilling.

How long do fillers last and what results are realistic?

The visible result from filler is often immediate, but the first appearance includes swelling and should not be treated as final.

Initial swelling commonly becomes more noticeable during the first day or two. Most obvious swelling and bruising settles over several days, while smaller changes may take two weeks or longer to stabilise.

How long filler lasts depends on:

the material and product formulation;
where and how deeply it was placed;
the amount injected;
movement in the treatment area;
individual metabolism and tissue response;
previous filler; and
how “lasting” is being measured.

Lip filler is often said to last around 6 to 12 months, while firmer products in areas such as the cheeks or chin may remain for 12 to 18 months or longer. These are approximate ranges, not expiry dates.

Imaging studies and clinical experience suggest that hyaluronic acid filler can sometimes remain detectable much longer than patients expect, particularly after repeated treatment. A person may feel that the visible effect has faded even though product remains in the tissues.

More filler does not always mean a better or longer result

The goal should be an appropriate improvement, not using as much product as possible. Excessive volume may distort normal anatomy, restrict natural movement or create a face that looks swollen rather than rejuvenated.

Filler may also attract water, so apparent volume can change with inflammation, illness, hormonal changes or fluid retention.

Filler cannot prevent ageing

Facial ageing involves skin, fat, muscle, ligaments and bone. Replacing volume may help selected changes, but it cannot stop these processes.

Repeatedly filling every new fold may create increasing facial volume without addressing laxity or skin quality. At some point, another treatment—or no further treatment—may be more appropriate.

Common side effects and less serious problems

Temporary injection-related effects are common. They may include:

swelling;
bruising;
redness;
tenderness;
small puncture marks;
itching;
temporary firmness;
minor bleeding; and
short-term asymmetry caused by swelling.

These effects usually improve over several days. Lip treatment often causes more obvious swelling than some other areas.

Contact the clinic when symptoms are more intense than expected, continue to worsen, do not begin to settle or are accompanied by significant pain, fever or unusual skin changes.

Lumps and irregularities

Small areas of firmness may be caused by swelling or product and can sometimes settle as the tissue recovers. Persistent lumps may reflect superficial placement, product accumulation, inflammation, infection or a delayed immune reaction.

Do not aggressively massage a lump unless the treating practitioner has assessed it and specifically advised you to do so. Massage that is useful for one type of problem may worsen another.

Asymmetry and dissatisfaction

Some asymmetry immediately after treatment is expected because swelling and bruising rarely develop equally on both sides.

A review is commonly arranged after the result has settled. Adding more filler too early can turn temporary swelling into permanent overcorrection.

Dissatisfaction does not always mean the procedure was performed negligently. Outcomes vary, and perfect symmetry is not realistic. However, concerns should be taken seriously, documented and assessed rather than dismissed.

Migration and overfilling

Migration describes filler appearing beyond the intended treatment area. It may occur because of product choice, placement, pressure, anatomy, repeated injections or excessive volume.

In the lips, this can appear as a ridge or fullness above the natural border. In other areas, accumulated filler may make facial features look heavy or indistinct.

What people call migration is not always true physical movement. Swelling, incorrect placement and product extending beyond natural anatomical boundaries can create a similar appearance.

Serious and delayed dermal filler complications

Most filler treatments do not cause a medical emergency, but anyone considering treatment should understand the serious complications before consenting.

The NHS warns that dermal-filler complications can include infection, nerve damage and blindness. This is why treatment should not be reduced to choosing a clinic based on price or social-media photographs.

Vascular occlusion

A vascular occlusion occurs when filler enters a blood vessel or compresses it sufficiently to reduce blood flow. Tissue deprived of oxygen can become permanently damaged if circulation is not restored quickly.

Possible warning signs include:

severe, unusual or increasing pain;
skin that becomes pale or blanched;
a mottled, net-like colour pattern;
blue-grey or dusky discolouration;
cool skin;
delayed capillary refill; and
blistering or darkening skin.

Not every vascular complication causes dramatic pain, and local anaesthetic may make symptoms harder to recognise initially.

Suspected vascular occlusion requires urgent assessment by someone trained to manage it. Where hyaluronic acid filler is involved, hyaluronidase may be used as part of emergency treatment.

Visual loss

Very rarely, filler can enter or affect blood vessels connected to the circulation of the eye. This can cause sudden visual disturbance or blindness and may be accompanied by eye pain, headache, nausea or neurological symptoms.

Visual changes during or after filler are a medical emergency. Call 999 or attend emergency care immediately while alerting the treating practitioner. Do not wait to see whether vision improves on its own.

Stroke-like symptoms

Rare vascular complications may produce facial weakness, difficulty speaking, limb weakness, confusion or other neurological symptoms. Treat these as an emergency and call 999.

Infection

Infection may develop soon after treatment or become apparent later. Symptoms can include increasing redness, warmth, swelling, tenderness, discharge or fever.

Some filler-associated infections involve a biofilm, a community of microorganisms attached to the implanted material. These infections can be difficult to diagnose and may not respond to simple short courses of treatment.

Nodules and granulomas

Delayed firm lumps may result from product placement, inflammation, infection or a granulomatous reaction in which the immune system responds to foreign material.

Treatment depends on the cause. Automatically dissolving or injecting steroids into every lump without diagnosis may be inappropriate.

Delayed swelling

Swelling can occasionally appear weeks, months or longer after filler. It may follow infection, dental work, illness, vaccination, inflammation or no obvious trigger.

Delayed swelling does not necessarily mean the product is contaminated or that the patient has a conventional allergy. Assessment may be needed to distinguish fluid retention, infection and immune-mediated inflammation.

Tissue damage and scarring

Untreated vascular compromise, severe inflammation or infection can damage skin and deeper tissue. Healing may leave changes in texture, pigmentation or permanent scars.

This is why a clinic needs more than a generic instruction to “contact us if worried”. It should have a specific emergency pathway and a practitioner who can assess patients promptly.

Can dermal filler be dissolved?

Hyaluronic acid filler can often be broken down using hyaluronidase. This enzyme may be used electively to adjust an unwanted result or urgently when hyaluronic acid filler is compromising blood flow.

Dissolving is a medical decision rather than a beauty treatment that should be performed casually. The practitioner should consider:

which filler was used;
where and when it was injected;
whether the problem is excess product, swelling, infection or inflammation;
the urgency of the situation;
the amount of hyaluronidase required; and
the possibility of an allergic reaction.

What happens after elective dissolving?

The area may swell, bruise or temporarily look different as both filler and local fluid change. Results are not always immediate or perfectly even.

More than one session may be needed, particularly where large volumes, several products or repeated treatments are present.

It is usually sensible to allow the tissues to settle before deciding whether new filler is appropriate. Immediately refilling the area may obscure the result and expose already inflamed tissue to another procedure.

Can all fillers be dissolved?

No. Hyaluronidase works on hyaluronic acid. It does not dissolve fillers made from other materials.

Non-hyaluronic and permanent fillers may require different treatment, sometimes involving medication, drainage or surgery. Complete removal may be difficult or impossible.

Dissolving does not erase every complication

Hyaluronidase can remove hyaluronic acid product but cannot guarantee reversal of scarring, tissue death, infection or visual damage. In an emergency, rapid recognition remains essential.

Who should avoid or postpone dermal fillers?

Suitability depends on the individual, product and treatment area. Filler may need to be postponed or avoided when there is:

active skin infection;
a cold sore in or near the treatment area;
infected acne or an unexplained rash;
significant dental infection;
recent surgery or another procedure that has not healed;
a serious previous reaction to filler or hyaluronidase;
an uncontrolled medical condition;
pregnancy or breastfeeding;
unrealistic expectations;
pressure from another person to change appearance; or
insufficient understanding of the risks and maintenance involved.

Pregnant and breastfeeding patients are commonly advised to postpone elective filler because safety evidence is limited and the treatment is not medically necessary.

Autoimmune disease, immune-suppressing treatment, bleeding disorders and anticoagulant medicines do not always make filler impossible, but they may increase risk or require advice from the relevant medical professional.

Body-image and emotional considerations

Cosmetic treatment should not be used as an urgent response to a breakup, bereavement, major stress or pressure from social media or a partner.

People experiencing body dysmorphic disorder may remain intensely dissatisfied despite technically successful treatment and may move from one procedure to another. A responsible practitioner should explore expectations and decline treatment where it is unlikely to be psychologically beneficial.

Age restrictions

In England, it is generally illegal to inject cosmetic fillers into anyone under 18 or to arrange such an appointment, except in defined circumstances where treatment is approved for medical reasons.

The law has applied in England since 1 October 2021. Rules and regulatory arrangements elsewhere in the UK are not necessarily identical, but responsible practitioners should apply careful age and safeguarding standards.

How to choose a safer filler practitioner

Filler is not a prescription-only medicine in the same way as botulinum toxin. In parts of the UK, the legal framework has historically allowed people with very different levels of clinical education to provide treatment.

The UK government has announced tighter controls for non-surgical cosmetic procedures in England, with priority given to restricting the highest-risk treatments. However, patients should not assume that every filler practitioner or premises has already been licensed under one comprehensive national system.

Choose the individual practitioner before choosing a brand, clinic interior or promotional package.

Verify professional registration

Where someone claims to be a doctor, dentist, nurse or pharmacist, check their name directly on the relevant statutory register:

General Medical Council for doctors;
General Dental Council for dentists;
Nursing and Midwifery Council for nurses and midwives; and
General Pharmaceutical Council for pharmacists in Great Britain.

Professional registration does not automatically prove advanced filler skill. Ask about procedure-specific training and how often the practitioner treats the exact area you are considering.

Ask about complication experience

A safe practitioner should be able to explain vascular occlusion, infection, delayed swelling and product-related nodules without minimising them.

Ask:

Have you managed a vascular occlusion?
What signs would make you stop injecting?
Do you keep hyaluronidase on site?
What is your emergency protocol?
Who can see me outside normal clinic hours?
Where would you refer me for visual or neurological symptoms?

“I have never had a complication” is not necessarily reassuring. It may mean the practitioner has limited experience or has failed to recognise problems.

Confirm the product

Ask to see the sealed product packaging and confirm that product and batch details will be entered into your record.

Do not proceed with filler from an unclear source. The MHRA has previously issued alerts about filler products carrying falsely applied conformity marks, demonstrating why traceability matters.

Avoid treatment under pressure

Be cautious about:

one-day discounts;
filler parties;
competition prizes;
“free” syringes;
packages sold before assessment;
treatment performed immediately after alcohol;
clinics that only communicate through social media; and
practitioners who will not provide their full name.

A good practitioner gives you room to reconsider and does not use criticism of your appearance to sell additional areas.

Dermal filler aftercare and recovery

Follow the instructions provided by your practitioner because aftercare may vary by product and treatment area.

General advice may include:

keeping the area clean;
avoiding unnecessary touching or pressure;
not applying makeup immediately if advised against it;
avoiding strenuous exercise for a short period;
limiting alcohol around the appointment;
avoiding intense heat, saunas and steam rooms temporarily;
not booking facial massage or another treatment over fresh filler;
sleeping in a position that avoids pressure where practical; and
not massaging unless specifically instructed.

A cool compress may help ordinary swelling, but do not apply ice directly to the skin. Ask the clinic before taking medicine for discomfort, particularly if you use anticoagulants or have another medical condition.

Dental work and other procedures

Tell your injector about recent or planned dental treatment. Dental infection and procedures that introduce bacteria into the bloodstream may be relevant to filler timing, particularly in people with previous complications.

Also disclose recent vaccinations, surgery, other injectables, threads, lasers or skin treatments. Procedures scheduled too closely together may make swelling and complications harder to interpret.

When to contact the clinic

Contact the practitioner for:

swelling or pain that continues to increase;
persistent or worsening lumps;
increasing redness or warmth;
discharge or fever;
significant asymmetry after the normal settling period;
unexplained delayed swelling; or
a result that causes concern.

When to seek emergency help

Obtain immediate medical help for:

any visual change;
sudden severe headache with eye or neurological symptoms;
weakness, facial drooping or speech difficulty;
severe or rapidly increasing pain;
pale, mottled, blue-grey or dark skin;
rapidly spreading infection;
breathing difficulty; or
swelling of the lips, tongue or throat.

Call 999 for life-threatening symptoms. Do not wait for a reply to a social-media message or routine clinic email.

Frequently asked questions

Are dermal fillers safe?

Many treatments are completed without serious complications, but filler is not risk-free. Safety depends on the patient, product, treatment area, practitioner, technique, hygiene and availability of urgent aftercare.

What is the safest type of filler?

There is no single safest product for every person or area. Hyaluronic acid fillers have the advantage of being dissolvable, but they can still cause vascular occlusion, infection, swelling and other complications. Suitability and practitioner competence matter as much as the material.

How painful are filler injections?

Most people describe temporary stinging, pressure or discomfort. Lip treatment is often more sensitive than cheek or chin treatment. Topical anaesthetic, local anaesthetic or lidocaine within the product may reduce discomfort.

How much filler should I have for the first time?

There is no universal amount. A cautious plan based on your anatomy and goals is usually preferable to selecting a syringe quantity from a menu. Some concerns need less than 1ml, while others require a staged plan or are not suitable for filler.

Is 1ml of lip filler a lot?

It depends on the original lip size, anatomy, product and placement. One millilitre is a small physical volume, but it can create a substantial visible change in the lips. First-time patients may benefit from a conservative discussion rather than assuming an entire syringe must be used.

Does filler stretch the skin?

Appropriate small volumes do not necessarily leave permanently stretched skin when the filler fades. However, repeated overfilling, very large volumes and long-term tissue expansion may alter appearance and support. Individual outcomes vary.

Can filler move around the face?

Filler can sometimes extend beyond the intended area, remain in an unsuitable tissue plane or accumulate after repeated treatments. Swelling and poor placement can also resemble migration. An experienced clinician should assess the cause before recommending treatment.

Can filler be completely removed?

Hyaluronic acid filler can often be reduced with hyaluronidase, but complete and perfectly even removal is not guaranteed. Non-hyaluronic and permanent fillers cannot be dissolved with hyaluronidase.

How soon can filler be dissolved?

Urgent dissolving may be performed immediately when a vascular complication is suspected. Elective dissolving for appearance is different and may be delayed until swelling settles unless there is another clinical reason to act sooner.

Can I have filler while pregnant or breastfeeding?

Elective filler is generally postponed during pregnancy and breastfeeding because adequate safety evidence is lacking and the procedure is not medically necessary.

Can I have filler if I take blood thinners?

Blood-thinning medicine may increase bruising and bleeding. Do not stop it without advice from the clinician who prescribed it. The filler practitioner may decide to postpone or decline treatment after assessing the risks.

Can I fly after dermal filler?

Flying does not normally cause filler to expand dangerously, but travelling immediately after treatment may leave you far from the practitioner if a complication develops. It is sensible to allow time for early problems to become apparent, especially after higher-risk treatment.

Can I wear makeup after filler?

Advice varies, but many practitioners recommend waiting until the injection sites have closed and the immediate irritation has settled. Applying makeup with unclean hands or tools may increase contamination risk.

How long should I wait before judging the result?

Allow initial swelling and bruising to settle. For many areas, a review after approximately two weeks gives a more meaningful picture, although under-eye swelling and some delayed changes can take longer.

Are fillers permanent?

Some fillers are temporary, some stimulate longer-lasting tissue changes and others are classed as permanent. Even temporary filler may remain detectable longer than its advertised visible duration. Ask exactly what product is being used before treatment.

Can I get dermal filler on the NHS?

Cosmetic facial filler is not routinely available on the NHS. Injectable treatment may occasionally be provided as part of medically necessary reconstructive care.

What is the biggest risk of dermal filler?

The most time-critical risk is accidental compromise of a blood vessel, which can damage skin and, very rarely, affect vision or the brain. Although uncommon, this is why filler should be treated as a clinical procedure rather than a casual beauty service.

How do I know whether my filler practitioner is qualified?

Ask for their full name, professional background, registration, filler-specific training, experience with the treatment area, insurance and complication protocol. Verify any claimed statutory registration independently and do not rely only on certificates or social-media reviews.