Dermal fillers are injectable gels, most often made from hyaluronic acid, that are used to restore volume, shape and contour to the face. In simple terms, they replace the fullness and structure we naturally lose as we age, softening lines and subtly enhancing your facial features in a way that is designed to look natural rather than overdone. If you have been researching dermal fillers in Surrey and want a clear, jargon-free explanation before you consider treatment, this doctor’s guide walks through exactly what dermal fillers are, what they are made of, how they work, what they can and cannot do, and what to expect at each stage.
What Are Dermal Fillers?
Dermal fillers, sometimes called injectable dermal fillers, are among the most popular minimally invasive procedures in aesthetics: a non-surgical treatment in which a soft gel is placed into or just beneath the skin to add volume where it has been lost, or to gently reshape and define an area of the face. Because the treatment is non-surgical, there is no cutting, no general anaesthetic and very little downtime, which is a large part of why these injectables have become so popular.
So what do dermal fillers actually do? Broadly, three things. They restore volume that has been lost through ageing, for example in the cheeks or under the eyes, for a fuller appearance. They add definition or contour, such as a sharper jawline or a more balanced chin. And they soften the folds, facial lines and creases that have formed over time, from smile lines and frown lines to deeper facial creases and wrinkles. It is worth knowing early on that fillers work differently from anti-wrinkle injections: fillers add volume and structure, whereas anti-wrinkle treatments relax the muscles that cause expression lines. The two are sometimes confused, and we explain the difference more fully in our guide to the difference between anti-wrinkle injections and dermal fillers.
What Are Dermal Fillers Made Of?
The vast majority of dermal fillers used today, and the type we are focusing on in this guide, are made from hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid, often shortened to HA, is a sugar-like molecule that occurs naturally in your skin, where its job is to attract and hold water, keeping the skin hydrated, plump and supported. As we age, our natural stores of it decline, alongside a slowdown in collagen production and a loss of elastin, which is one reason skin can start to look flatter and less firm.
A hyaluronic acid filler is a smooth, stabilised gel version of this same molecule, produced in a laboratory rather than taken from animals. Different fillers are made to different thicknesses and consistencies, so a soft, fluid gel might be chosen for delicate areas like the lips or under the eyes, while a firmer gel might be used to support and define the cheeks or jawline.
One of the most reassuring features of hyaluronic acid fillers is that they can be dissolved. If a result is not what you hoped for, or in the rare event of a complication, a trained practitioner can use an enzyme called hyaluronidase to break the filler down. Other types of filler do exist, including longer-lasting biostimulatory products that work by encouraging your own collagen, but when most people say “dermal filler” or facial fillers, they mean a hyaluronic acid gel.
How Do Dermal Fillers Work?
Dermal fillers work in a fairly intuitive way. Using a very fine needle or a blunt-tipped cannula, your practitioner places small, measured amounts of the gel precisely where volume or support is needed, guided by a close understanding of your facial anatomy. Once in place, the gel physically adds volume, lifting, contouring or smoothing the area from within. Because hyaluronic acid also attracts water, it can help the treated area look hydrated and subtly plumper over the following days.
Much of the result comes down to assessment and technique, not the product alone: the amount used, the depth and the precise positioning all shape the outcome, which is why who carries out your treatment matters. With very little recovery time, you will usually see a difference straight away, and the final result settles over about two weeks as any swelling resolves.
What Can Dermal Fillers Treat?
One of the reasons injectable fillers are so widely used is their versatility. These filler treatments can be tailored to many different areas and goals, including:
- Lips. Lip filler can add subtle volume, improve shape and definition, redefine the lip border or soften fine lip lines, with the aim of a natural, proportionate result.
- Cheeks. Cheek filler restores lost volume in the midface, which can refresh the whole face and gently lift areas that have started to flatten with age, for a subtle improvement.
- Chin. Chin filler can improve projection and balance, helping to bring the lower face into proportion with the rest of the features.
- Jawline. Jawline filler adds definition and contour along the jaw, a popular choice for a sharper, more sculpted profile.
- Tear troughs. Tear trough filler addresses hollowing and shadowing under the eyes that can contribute to a tired appearance.
Fillers are also commonly used to soften nasolabial folds (the lines from the nose to the mouth) and marionette lines (from the corners of the mouth downwards), and for non-surgical reshaping of the nose, sometimes called non-surgical rhinoplasty. Which, if any, of these suits you is something a practitioner assesses in person.
What Dermal Fillers Cannot Do
Being honest about the limits is just as important as explaining the benefits. Dermal fillers are not a facelift. They cannot remove significant skin laxity or excess, loose skin, and they are not a substitute for surgery where more advanced ageing is involved. Used to chase a result that really calls for a surgical solution, filler can look unnatural rather than refreshed.
Fillers also do not improve the quality of the skin itself. They will not resurface fine surface lines, even out tone or improve skin texture, because they work beneath the surface by adding volume. Where skin quality is the main concern, treatments designed for that purpose, such as skin boosters and regenerative polynucleotides, are usually a better fit, and are sometimes used alongside filler as part of a wider plan. Finally, more is not better: overfilling is one of the most common causes of an unnatural look, which is why a conservative, assessment-led approach matters.
What Happens at a Dermal Filler Appointment?
As with any facial aesthetic treatment, good treatment begins with a proper consultation, not a needle. At HAVA Aesthetics, your appointment starts with Dr Hadeel Nimaa (MBChB, MRCGP, GMC 7149019) listening to your goals, assessing your face as a whole and reviewing your full medical history to check that treatment is appropriate and safe for you. Every one of our dermal filler treatments in Surrey begins with this consultation. This is also the point to ask questions and, where relevant, to hear honestly if filler is not the best option for what you want to achieve.
If you go ahead, a numbing cream or local anaesthetic is often used for comfort, and treatment itself is typically quick, from around fifteen to forty-five minutes depending on the area. Afterwards, some mild swelling, redness or a small bruise is normal and usually settles within a few days. You will be given clear aftercare advice, which generally means avoiding strenuous exercise, heat and alcohol for the first day or two and leaving the area alone while it settles.
How Long Do Dermal Fillers Last?
Dermal fillers are temporary, and how long they last varies from person to person. As a general guide, hyaluronic acid fillers tend to last somewhere between six and eighteen months. Mobile, expressive areas such as the lips often sit at the shorter end, while firmer, more structural areas like the cheeks can last longer. Your own metabolism, the product used and how much is placed all play a part. Over time the filler is gradually and naturally broken down by the body, so results fade softly rather than disappearing overnight. You can read more in our guide to how long dermal fillers last, and about what results to expect from treatment.
How Much Do Dermal Fillers Cost?
The cost of injectable filler treatments depends on the area being treated and how much product is needed, so it is best confirmed at a consultation. As a guide, our price list shows dermal fillers from £425 for the first 1ml and £385 for each additional 1ml, while specific areas such as the lips have their own pricing. A clear, itemised quote is always discussed with you before any treatment goes ahead. For a fuller breakdown, see our guide to dermal filler cost in Surrey.
Are Dermal Fillers Safe?
When carried out by a qualified, experienced medical professional after a proper assessment, hyaluronic acid dermal fillers have a well-established safety record. That said, no medical treatment is entirely without risk. The most common side effects, such as swelling, bruising, redness and tenderness, are mild and temporary. More serious complications are uncommon but possible, which is exactly why your choice of clinic and injector is so important, and why hyaluronic acid fillers being dissolvable is such a valuable safeguard. HAVA Aesthetics is a Save Face accredited clinic, reflecting our commitment to safe, standards-led care. (A fuller guide to dermal filler safety is coming soon.)
Dermal Fillers in Surrey
If you are considering a dermal filler treatment in Surrey, the best starting point is a consultation where your face, goals and medical history can be properly assessed, and the right approach, if any, chosen for you. You are welcome to book a consultation with Dr Hadeel Nimaa at HAVA Aesthetics in Esher, Surrey.
Frequently asked questions
Are dermal fillers permanent?
No. Hyaluronic acid dermal fillers are temporary and are gradually broken down by the body over time, typically lasting somewhere between six and eighteen months depending on the area, the product and the individual. Longer-lasting filler types exist, but the hyaluronic acid fillers most people have are not permanent.
Do dermal fillers hurt?
Most people find the discomfort minor and manageable. A numbing cream or local anaesthetic is often used for comfort, many fillers contain a mild anaesthetic themselves, and fine needles or cannulas help. You may feel a small scratch or some pressure, but treatment is generally well tolerated.
Can fillers be dissolved?
Yes, this is one of the advantages of hyaluronic acid fillers. If you are unhappy with a result, or in the rare event of a complication, a trained practitioner can use an enzyme called hyaluronidase to dissolve the filler. This is not possible with every type of filler, which is one reason hyaluronic acid is so widely used.
Who should not have dermal fillers?
Dermal fillers are generally not suitable if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have an active skin infection or cold sore in the area, or have certain medical conditions or allergies. A full medical history is reviewed at your consultation precisely so that suitability can be assessed properly before anything goes ahead.
How soon will I see results?
You will usually notice a difference straight away, as filler adds volume immediately. The final result settles over roughly two weeks as any swelling resolves and the filler integrates with the surrounding tissue, so it is best to wait until then before judging the outcome.
How do I choose a clinic?
Look for a qualified, medically trained practitioner, a clinic that offers a genuine consultation and medical history review rather than a hard sell, and recognised accreditation such as Save Face. Choosing an experienced, regulated injector is the single most important factor in a safe, natural result.
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