Enhancing Your Features with Injectables: Are Dermal Fillers Worth It?

a woman having dermal fillers injected

Updated May 2022

The number of people looking to enhance their features with injectables has risen to the point that they are now one of the most requested cosmetic treatments in our London clinic. Celebrities and YouTube influencers show off their perfectly plump lips and raised cheekbones, and then these procedures trickle down to the general population. Everyone wants to look good and feel comfortable in their skin, and dermal fillers and Botox can enhance your features without much fuss.

Skin-enhancing injectables were met with hesitation when they first became available, but in time, techniques have improved, and people have seen the amazing results they can offer. With the rise of dermal fillers, patients also have another option besides Botox, allowing for more flexible and targeted treatment. The UK is the world’s fastest-growing filler market, valued at £1bn a year.

The results achieved from facial fillers can be incredible in the hands of an expert who understands facial symmetry and the right technique to make you look natural. Some people choose to have Botox or dermal fillers as stand-alone treatments, as each serves a different purpose, while others use a combination of the two for a comprehensive anti-wrinkle treatment. With promises of smooth, glowing skin and the ability to maintain a younger look, it’s easy to see why non-surgical cosmetic procedures are becoming increasingly popular. But are dermal fillers worth it?

When considering an injectable procedure, you should think about the results you want to achieve and discuss your requirements with a qualified aesthetic-treatment specialist. Together, you can come up with a treatment plan that works for you. The right practitioner will be open that they can’t completely change your look — and nor should they want to. The goal of dermal fillers is to enhance the facial features you already have, giving you a more youthful glow and boosting your self-confidence.

This guide will answer all your questions about dermal fillers, from what treatment entails to how long fillers last and how much they might cost. We’ll also share the most sought-after dermal filler procedures, giving you an idea of areas on the face that can be enhanced. Get in touch if you have further questions, and we can set you up with a free consultation to see if dermal fillers are right for you.

Smiling women with perfect face skin and natural makeup portrait. Beautiful happy asian and african girl models with different types of skin on beige background. Spa skin care concept

What Are Dermal Fillers?

Our line of dermal fillers is made of a synthetic biodegradable hyaluronic acid (HA) that is similar to the natural HA produced in our bodies. Dermal fillers can also be made with calcium hydroxylapatite, a mineral found in our bones. Hyaluronic acid isn’t a substance you need to worry about — it is found naturally under our skin and won’t cause any allergic reactions. HA is a common ingredient in many skincare products, but the results from topical use vary. No anti-wrinkle cream will ever give the same results as injecting hyaluronic acid into the skin.

Dermal fillers are also known as facial fillers or cosmetic injectables. A dermal filler treatment can help to rejuvenate the skin and enhance shape or fullness in specific areas of the face. They have the bonus of reducing wrinkles, fading fine lines, reversing the loss of volume and rehydrating deeper skin layers. Different types of fillers each serve their own purpose, and various techniques are used depending on the area of the face you want to enhance.

What Type of Dermal Filler Is Used?

There are several types of dermal fillers on the market that have different textures and can add more or less density to targeted facial areas. It’s important to choose a skilled doctor or aesthetician for your procedure to ensure the best filler is used to achieve your desired results. Some fillers are thick and are used to add volume and plumpness to facial features, and some are better for softening fine lines. You’ll discuss your desires at the first consultation, so the injector will know which filler (or fillers) are best for your needs. Juvéderm and Restylane are the most commonly-used brands of dermal fillers.

Woman Getting Lip Injection

What Are the Most Popular Dermal Filler Procedures?

We offer many procedures to enhance facial features using hyaluronic acid-based fillers. Our clients love the results and think it’s worth it for the many benefits they receive from injectables. Below are the most popular areas of the face we treat with dermal fillers to create an enhanced yet natural look for our clients.

Cheeks

Dermal fillers are our first choice for cheek augmentation, which can give you the fuller or more pronounced cheekbones you’re after. Enhancing the cheeks can alter the profile or shape of your face, leaving you looking more youthful and balanced.

Under-Eye or Tear Trough

This delicate and precise treatment, tear trough filler, involves carefully injecting filler into the tear trough under your eye. Once injected, it is gently massaged into the surrounding areas (usually sunken bags or under-eyes) to help make the under-eye area smoother, firmer and less sunken. This procedure can also help reduce dark circles under the eyes.

Chin or Jawline

Chin filler or jawline reshaping treatment is popular with both men and women for different purposes. Women often want a slimmer, more elongated jawline, while men want a squarer, more chiselled jawline. We can also use dermal fillers to help reduce imperfections in the chin, like dimples or unevenness.

Lips

As you can imagine, lip enhancement is one of our most popular treatments for people of all ages. We can make the lips bigger or balance them out if one lip is smaller than the other. With lip fillers, you want to take the less is more approach and don’t overdo it.

Nose

A non-surgical nose job is another popular type of dermal filler procedure. In this treatment, a hyaluronic acid-based filler is used to reshape the nose and create a balanced side profile without the need for cosmetic surgery.

Smile Lines

Smile line fillers are used to smooth out nasolabial folds, the skin creases that run between the nose and corners of the mouth. This procedure is a popular option for patients who have noticed a loss of volume and skin elasticity in their face, resulting from the natural ageing process. If these wrinkles make you feel self-conscious, this simple filler treatment can refresh your appearance and give you your confidence back.

Man during surgery filling facial wrinkles

How Long Do Dermal Fillers Last?

Results can vary between individuals and depend on the type of filler used. Dermal fillers made with HA typically last for six months to a year, with some lasting up to 18 months. The body naturally breaks down hyaluronic acid fillers over time, so most clients come to the clinic around once a year for a top-up treatment. It’s crucial to understand that dermal fillers are not a permanent solution but are a highly effective addition to any anti-ageing regimen. The goal is not to use too much filler, so you look natural and radiant rather than puffy.

Does a Dermal Filler Procedure Hurt?

Everyone’s pain tolerance is different, but we use a numbing cream for our dermal filler procedures to help ease the pain. There is also a mild anaesthetic called lidocaine within the injection itself. Some people feel a little discomfort as the filler is injected and massaged into place. The results are immediate, and there is practically zero downtime. The entire procedure takes anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes, depending on how much of the face you are enhancing.

Are Dermal Fillers Safe?

Dermal fillers are safe for use in all areas of the face and are EU and FDA-approved. As we’ve said before, you want an experienced practitioner to perform your procedure to ensure your safety. Hyaluronidase can dissolve hyaluronic acid fillers if you decide you don’t like the look, giving you peace of mind.

Woman Having Dermal Filler Injections

Are There Side Effects to Dermal Fillers?

You may experience slight bruising, swelling or redness around the injection site, which usually subsides within a day or two. There is also a small risk of local infection. Complications from dermal fillers are rare, but there are always risks associated with any cosmetic procedure. The doctor will discuss all the pre and post-treatment recommendations to follow to ensure you have a safe experience.

How Much Do Dermal Fillers Cost in the UK?

Pricing starts at £350, depending on the type(s) of filler used for your personalised treatment plan. We encourage our clients to go for a natural look, and it’s better to start with less and work your way up. You can always come back in two weeks for a top-up — we may use half a syringe to start, then if you decide you want to use the rest, we can do so at your follow up appointment.

Take a look at our cosmetic treatment price list for an idea of what you can expect to pay.

Whether you’re hoping for a full, sensuous pout, enhanced cheekbones or smooth skin and softened wrinkles, dermal filler procedures can help you achieve the look you want and are a popular, minimally-invasive option to consider.

To discuss dermal fillers or any other non-surgical cosmetic procedures, book a free, no-obligation consultation at our Harley Street clinic in Central London. Our aesthetic treatment experts will help you achieve the look you have always wanted.

Founder at Harley Street MD
Dr. Chia Tan is a UK-trained and GMC-registered doctor and a respected member of the Royal College of Surgeons (MRCS) and the British College of Aesthetic Medicine (BCAM). As a former Clinical Education Fellow at the University of Warwick, Dr. Tan has published numerous articles in leading scientific and medical journals, highlighting his expertise.

His extensive qualifications and memberships reflect his profound medical knowledge and dedication to providing exceptional patient care in aesthetic weight loss, and men’s health treatments.
Dr. Chia Tan
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