Dermal-fillers-faqs
Dermal Fillers FAQs
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Dermal are the treatment at Centre for Surgery, and the questions patients ask in tend to repeat. This FAQ collects the answers we give most often — covering longevity, safety, position, the right starting age, and what really happens during and after a filler appointment.
At our in Marylebone, all are performed by GMC-registered doctors using hyaluronic acid-based . acid is a sugar molecule that occurs naturally in skin, joints, and connective tissue; it binds water and provides and . it is broken down by enzymes the body produces, acid fillers are absorbed over months — and can be dissolved on demand if needed. This is the safety that sets them apart from older permanent fillers and like Sculptra or Radiesse, which we do not use.
If you can’t find your question below, our patient coordinators are happy to talk things through on .
How long do dermal fillers last?
The honest answer is "it depends" — typically between 6 and 18 months, but this varies meaningfully by area and by patient. Lip tend to break down fastest the lips are moving, eating, and being expressed; expect 6 to 9 months on average. Cheek and fillers placed deep on bone last — often 12 to 18 months — because they sit in a layer. Tear trough under the eye sit somewhere in the middle, usually 9 to 12 months.
Your metabolism, exercise level, and product choice all longevity. who train or have high baseline metabolic rates often filler faster than patients. We discuss realistic expectations during rather than a specific timeframe, because on duration is a common red flag in this industry.
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At what age should I start dermal fillers?
There is no single correct age. Most patients have their first treatment between 25 and 40, often to address volume loss in the or to enhance lip shape. Volume loss in the cheeks usually becomes in the early as bone resorption and shrinkage begin; subtle cheek filler at this stage can pre-empt the deeper folds that later.
We do not treat anyone under 18, and we are cautious with patients in their late teens and early twenties — at that age, the face is generally still gaining definition, and is rarely needed. If a young patient comes in asking for filler to copy a celebrity or social-media aesthetic, we will often suggest waiting and re-evaluating in a year. Good filler work is invisible; aggressive filler in a young face usually isn’t.
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Are dermal fillers safe?
Hyaluronic acid have an safety record when by a medical practitioner who facial . The most common side effects — swelling, bruising, mild tenderness — are predictable and resolve within a week.
Serious are rare but possible. The two most important risks are vascular (filler accidentally injected into or compressing a blood vessel, which can cause tissue damage if not treated quickly) and nodule formation. Both are managed faster and more effectively in a clinic that stocks hyalase, has medical oversight, and is set up to handle complications. The "filler parties" and injectors that have proliferated in the UK do not have this safety net, which is why the regulatory landscape is now tightening around who can inject.
At Centre for Surgery, all are by in a CQC-regulated environment. is on-site, and follow-up access is built into every treatment.
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How much filler do I need for jawline enhancement?
Jawline contouring is one of the more filler-intensive because it works in three dimensions across a large surface area. Most patients need 2 to 4 ml across the and chin to see a meaningful change. Men need more product than women because the male jaw is larger and the outcome is more and defined.
We almost always split jawline across two sessions — placing about 60 to 70% of the planned volume in the first session, assessing how it after 2 weeks, then completing the work. This prevents over-filling, allows tissue to settle, and gives a more result than trying to do everything in one visit.
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Can dermal fillers make you look older if overused?
Yes. Over-filled faces look heavier, less defined, and older — this is the "puffy face" or "pillow face" effect you see on certain celebrities and influencers. It happens when too much product is placed in planes, or when filler is added year after year without ever previous treatments to fully . acid is hygroscopic, meaning it water, so filler continues to absorb moisture and expand over time even when fresh product isn’t added.
The good news: this is reversible. excess or acid, and many of our come to us specifically to undo overfilling done elsewhere. The lesson is conservative dosing, an injector who when to stop, and being honest about previous at .
Are dermal filler results permanent?
No, and we consider this a rather than a bug. acid are by design. Faces change over time — bone shifts, fat pads migrate, skin laxity — and a filler that suited you at 32 may not suit you at 45. let your treatment plan evolve with your face.
fillers (silicone, polymethyl methacrylate, polyacrylamide) do exist but carry significantly higher long-term risks — chronic inflammation, granulomas, migration, years after — and cannot be . We do not offer them.
What should I do before a dermal filler appointment?
A few simple steps reduce the risk of bruising and swelling:
Arrive without makeup on the area if possible, and eat beforehand — patients who skip meals are more likely to feel light-headed.
How should I sleep after dermal filler?
For the first 2 to 3 nights, sleep on your back with your head elevated on two . This minimises and stops uneven on freshly placed filler, which can occasionally lead to asymmetry or if you’re a heavy side-sleeper.
After 72 hours, the filler has integrated with tissue and you can return to your usual sleeping position. If you cannot sleep on your back, a U-shaped travel pillow worn around the neck helps keep your head neutral.
Which filler lasts the longest?
Among acid products, the are dense, cross-linked designed for deep structural placement — used on the cheekbones, chin, and jawline. These can last 18 to 24 months in some patients. Softer, less used for the lips and tear trough are designed to with mobile or tissue and last 6 to 12 months.
We don’t specific brand names in public because what matters is choosing the right for the right anatomical area — a decision we make based on examination, not patient . If you’ve read about a particular online, bring it up at and we’ll explain whether it’s right for your face.
How often should dermal fillers be topped up?
Most patients return every 9 to 12 months for maintenance. The is lips, where some patients top up at 6 months to maintain shape, though we increasingly recommend going longer between lip — letting filler fully before more natural long-term results and avoids the volume creep that causes overfilled lips.
We don’t have a fixed . We assess at each visit whether top-up is actually needed; sometimes the answer is "not yet."
Will 1 ml of cheek filler make a difference?
1 ml — half a millilitre per side — is a dose for the cheeks. It will make a difference, particularly if you are or have early volume loss, but it is on the conservative end. Patients with more pronounced volume loss, or those wanting more obvious lift and definition, typically need 2 ml total (1 ml per side) for contouring.
We almost always . You can always add more in a second session; you can’t easily remove filler that’s been placed too aggressively without dissolving the whole area and starting over.
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When do dermal filler results show?
The change is visible immediately — you’ll see the volume difference as soon as we hold up the mirror. However, the true final result takes 2 to 4 weeks to appear. In the first 48 to 72 hours there is usually some swelling that makes the area look slightly fuller than it really is. Swelling resolves, the filler with surrounding tissue, and the result into its natural appearance.
We routinely book a 2-week review for new patients so we can assess the settled result and add small refinements if needed.
What are the common side effects after filler treatment?
Expected and normal:
us promptly if you notice:
The first four can indicate vascular compromise and need same-day .
How long do hyaluronic acid fillers last?
Already above in detail, but the headline: 6 to 18 months on product, placement, and patient. Anyone a single number is over-simplifying.
Can I exercise after dermal fillers?
Avoid strenuous exercise and saunas for 24 hours. Light is fine the same day. Heavy training, hot yoga, and steam rooms can swelling, bruising, and the (very small) risk of bacterial seeding of the injection site.
After 24 hours, resume normal . After 2 weeks, there are no restrictions.
Can I have dermal fillers if I’m pregnant or breastfeeding?
We don’t treat patients who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or trying to conceive. This isn’t because hyaluronic acid is known to be unsafe — there are no good studies in this group because pregnant women aren’t in trials — but because the principle applies. Wait until you’ve breastfeeding before .
Can dermal fillers be combined with other treatments?
Yes — most of our patients dermal with at least one other modality. Common include:
We usually space treatments by 2 weeks where possible — for example, doing first, then two weeks later — so we can the to each treatment.
Why choose Centre for Surgery for your dermal fillers?
We are a cosmetic clinic on Baker Street in London. All are performed by GMC-registered doctors, never by nurse injectors operating without medical and never in unregulated . is stocked on-site, and complication management is built into our protocols rather than .
Our approach is conservative — we’d rather see you again in 6 weeks for a small top-up than over-fill at the first visit. We do not use permanent fillers, biostimulators (Sculptra, Radiesse), or products we wouldn’t be comfortable if needed. We do not perform thread lifts.
Consultation is structured, written, and includes a 2-week cooling-off period before any procedure. If we don’t think filler is the right answer for what you’re describing, we will say so.
To book a consultation, call , email , or complete the form below.
Centre for Surgery
Baker Street, London W1U 6RN
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Centre for is a CQC-regulated private hospital on London’s Baker Street, delivering and cosmetic through GMC-registered surgeons. Our spans facial procedures including and , , for men, and body contouring procedures such as and . safety, surgical excellence and results sit at the heart of everything we do.
Centre for Surgery is a hospital on London’s iconic , offering plastic and surgery led by consultant surgeons.
Marylebone
London
W1U 6RN
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