Introduction
Understanding Dermal Fillers
What Dermal Fillers Are
Hyaluronic acid fillers are the most common type of filler. They are used to add volume, support facial structure, and refine the shape of specific areas such as the lips, cheeks, chin, or jawline.
These fillers are soft, gel-like substances developed with different physical properties. Some are lighter and more flexible, while others are firmer and more structured. These differences affect how the filler holds its shape, how it spreads within the tissue, and how much support it provides.
This variety allows each area to be treated with a product suited to its structure and movement, helping achieve a more precise, natural-looking result.
Hyaluronic acid is gradually broken down by the body over time, so its effect is temporary, and it softens naturally.
How Dermal Fillers Work
Fillers can be placed at different depths, depending on the area being treated and the level of support required. In deeper layers, firmer fillers are used to provide structure and replace volume loss, creating a foundation for the overlying tissue. In more superficial layers, softer fillers are used to smooth lines, refine contours, and improve transitions between areas.
Hyaluronic acid naturally attracts and binds water, which contributes to hydration and subtle volume within the treated area, alongside the physical presence of the filler itself.
Different fillers also behave differently once placed. Some remain more defined and maintain projection, while others spread more evenly within the tissue. This is carefully considered when selecting the product and placement technique.
Cannula vs. Needle: Choosing the Right Technique
Dermal fillers can be administered using either a fine needle or a cannula. The choice depends on the area being treated and the type of result being planned.
For the lips, a fine needle is typically used to achieve precise placement and control. To support comfort, numbing techniques are used where appropriate, often including a local anaesthetic such as lidocaine. This helps reduce sensitivity during treatment.
In contrast, for areas such as the cheeks or jawline, a blunt-tipped cannula is often more suitable. This allows the product to be distributed more evenly within the tissue and may reduce the likelihood of bruising and discomfort.
In general, cannulas are preferred for broader, smoother placement, while needles are used for more precise or targeted refinement.
Cosmetic Injectables
Refine contours and add lost volume
Minimal downtime
Temporary – last between 6 to 18 months
Adjustable and reversible if needed
Clinic’s Philosophy
Our Approach to Dermal Fillers
A desired result does not come from simply adding product. It comes from understanding your goals, careful planning, restraint, and a knowledge of facial structure and how different layers respond to treatment.
For this reason, every visit to Dr Louise Pierre Aesthetics begins with a thorough consultation. This provides an opportunity to review your medical history and discuss your treatment goals, ensuring a safe and tailored plan.
Our approach is guided by a simple principle: less is more.
In most cases, we begin with smaller amounts and reassess over time, allowing you to see how your face responds before deciding whether anything further is needed.
We carefully assess your facial anatomy, proportions, skin quality, and patterns of volume change over time. From this, decisions around product choice, placement, and depth are made to support a natural, balanced outcome.
Treatment is then carried out in a controlled and considered way, with ongoing assessment throughout. Appointments typically take around 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the areas being treated and the complexity of the plan.
Treatment Focus
Areas Commonly Treated with Dermal Fillers
Lip Treatments
Lip Augmentation
Also known as lip filler treatment.
Fillers can restore or enhance the lip’s volume, and overall shape. Some people seek treatment because their lips have become thinner or less defined over time, some want a better balance between the upper and lower lip, and others want fuller more profound lips in general. Our goal is not to make lips look un-naturally larger, but to create shape and proportion that suits the rest of the face.
Lip Border & Definition
Also known as lip liner treatment.
Medical term: Vermillion border definition.
As the lip border softens, the lips can lose shape, and lipstick may bleed into the surrounding skin. Careful placement along the vermillion border can restore structure and improve definition without adding obvious volume.
Lip Lines
Also known as lipstick lines or smoker’s lines.
Medical term: Perioral rhytids.
These fine vertical lines around the mouth develop through repeated movement and natural collagen loss. Small amounts of filler can smooth the lines and soften the area.
Volume Restoration & Contouring
Cheek Augmentation
Also known as cheek filler treatment or mid-face volumisation.
Medical term: Malar and submalar augmentation.
The mid-face is one of the earliest areas to lose volume with age. As support reduces here, the face can appear flatter or heavier lower down. Cheek filler restores structure to the mid-face and often improves overall facial balance.
Jawline Contouring
Also known as jawline filler treatment or jaw sculpting.
Medical term: Mandibular augmentation.
Jawline filler adds structure to the lower face and can improve definition where early jowling or softening has developed. It is often used alongside chin filler for a more cohesive result.
Temple Filler
Also known as temple volumisation or temporal rejuvenation.
Medical term: Temporal augmentation.
Temple hollowing is a common but often overlooked sign of facial ageing. Restoring volume here can soften a more skeletal appearance and improve the upper face’s frame.
Line & Fold Softening
Tear Trough Filler
Also known as an under-eye filler.
Medical term: Nasojugal groove correction.
The tear trough is the hollow between the lower eyelid and the upper cheek. When this area deepens, it can cast shadowing that makes the face look tired. This is a delicate treatment area and requires careful assessment, as not every under-eye concern is best treated with filler.
Nasolabial Fold Filler
Also known as smile line filler.
Medical term: Nasolabial fold correction.
These folds run from the sides of the nose to the corners of the mouth. They can deepen as volume is lost from the mid-face. In some cases, directly treating the fold is helpful. In others, restoring cheek support produces a more natural result.
Marionette Lines Filler
Also known as puppet lines filler.
Medical term: Melomental fold correction.
Marionette lines run downward from the corners of the mouth and can make the lower face look heavier or more downturned. Careful treatment softens the area and supports a more relaxed appearance.
Feature Refinement
Non Surgical Rhinoplasty
Also known as liquid nose job.
This treatment uses filler to refine shape, improve symmetry, or disguise small irregularities in the nose. It adds volume rather than removing it, so it is not suitable for every concern. Thorough consultation is essential.
Outcome
Expected Results & Longevity
Realistic Expectations
An improvement is usually visible immediately after treatment. However, this early change often includes some swelling, and the filler is still settling within the tissue. The final result becomes clearer over the following days to weeks as swelling reduces and the product integrates more naturally.
In the early stages, some areas may feel slightly firm or uneven. This is usually temporary and softens as the filler adapts within the tissue. For this reason, results are best assessed after a few weeks rather than immediately after treatment.
A key part of setting expectations is understanding what different amounts of filler can realistically achieve.
Volume guide for natural refinements:
0.2 ml
Very small adjustments, such as softening a specific line, refining the lip border, or improving a minor asymmetry.
0.5 ml
Subtle enhancement, often used for light lip hydration, gentle definition, or small refinements in areas that do not require structural support.
1 ml
A moderate adjustment, which may be used to enhance lip shape, restore early volume loss, or refine a single area such as the chin or jawline.
2 ml
Typically used across more than one area, or where additional support is needed, for example, restoring cheek volume while maintaining overall balance.
These examples are a guide rather than a fixed rule, as requirements vary from person to person.
Longevity of Hyluronic acid-based fillers
Hyaluronic acid–based fillers are gradually broken down by the body through natural metabolic processes, so their effects are temporary. The duration can vary depending on the specific product used, its formulation, and the area of the face treated.
Areas with more movement, such as the lips, tend to break down more quickly, while areas with less movement, such as the cheeks, often retain results for longer. Individual factors, including metabolism and lifestyle, also play a role.
As a general rule, hyaluronic acid fillers typically last 6 to 18 months. In practice, it is often more helpful to focus on how the result looks and feels over time, rather than relying on a fixed timeframe.
Many people choose to maintain their results with smaller, periodic treatments rather than wait for the filler to fully wear off.
Suitability
Who Is This Treatment For
It is important to understand that dermal fillers do not address every sign of ageing. They are most effective where volume loss, hollowing, or reduced structural support are the main concerns.
Their effect is more limited when skin quality is poor, tissue laxity is more advanced, or the concern lies in the surface layers of the skin. In some cases, adding volume may not improve the area and can occasionally make it look heavier, for example, with certain types of under-eye puffiness.
Ageing affects multiple layers of the face, including bone, fat, muscle, and skin. For this reason, a combined approach is sometimes more appropriate. Treatments such as skin boosters, polynucleotides, microneedling, or anti-wrinkle treatments may be considered alongside fillers, depending on which layer is contributing most to the concern.
We will always give you an honest opinion and advise if we feel that not treating with filler is the most appropriate option.
Who May Not Be Suitable
Dermal filler treatment may not be appropriate in certain circumstances. These are always discussed in detail during consultation.
This may include:
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Active skin infection, inflammation, or cold sores near the treatment area
- Certain medical conditions or relevant allergies
- Concerns that are better addressed with a different treatment approach
- Very early or minimal changes where treatment is not clearly indicated
Your Safety
Possible Side Effects
Dermal fillers have a well-established role in aesthetic medicine when carried out by appropriately trained and experienced practitioners. However, as with any injectable treatment, there are potential side effects and risks.
Understanding what to expect during recovery, as well as how any risks are minimised and managed, is an important part of making an informed decision.
Common Temporary Side Effects
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Redness or tenderness
- Temporary firmness or slight unevenness while the filler settles
These effects are common and usually improve within a few days to four weeks, depending on the area treated.
Less Common but More Significant Risks
More significant complications are uncommon, but they can occur. These may include infection, prolonged swelling, vascular compromise, delayed inflammatory reactions, or granuloma formation.
For this reason, careful product selection, precise placement, and appropriate technique are essential. The treated areas are monitored throughout the procedure, and steps are taken to minimise risk at every stage.
You will be given clear aftercare guidance, including what to expect and what to look out for. We also check in with you the following day to ensure you are comfortable and that everything is settling as expected. You are always encouraged to get in touch at any point, even for minor concerns.
If needed, hyaluronic acid filler can be dissolved using a specific enzyme, allowing it to be safely broken down by the body. This may be used to address concerns such as overcorrection, asymmetry, uneven texture, migration (where filler moves from the intended area), or, in rare cases, more serious complications like vascular occlusion.
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