Dermal Fillers have become one of the most sought-after non-surgical aesthetic treatments across the UK. They are popular for their ability to enhance facial features, restore lost volume, and soften the signs of ageing without the need for surgery or long recovery times.
For patients considering fillers, questions are common, ranging from how safe they are to how long they last and what to expect during treatment. To help, Bromley-based aesthetics nurse Jude Dunican has put together this comprehensive FAQ guide. It addresses the most common concerns with clear, professional advice, designed to help potential patients feel informed and confident before booking a consultation.
What Are Dermal Fillers?
Dermal fillers are injectable gels used to add or restore volume, smooth lines, and enhance facial contours. The majority of modern fillers are made of hyaluronic acid (HA), a substance naturally found in the body that keeps skin hydrated and supple. As natural HA levels decrease with age, skin can appear thinner, hollow, or lined.
Fillers replace this lost volume. They integrate seamlessly into the skin, attracting water and improving hydration. Different formulations exist to suit different treatment areas, softer fillers for lips and delicate skin, firmer ones for structural areas such as the cheeks and jawline.
Are Dermal Fillers Safe?
When performed by a qualified medical professional, dermal fillers are considered very safe. Problems generally arise only when treatments are carried out by inexperienced or untrained practitioners.
Complications, such as unevenness or the rare risk of vascular occlusion (where filler enters a blood vessel), highlight why fillers should always be administered by someone with advanced knowledge of facial anatomy. As a registered aesthetics nurse, Jude Dunican carries out full medical assessments, uses only premium CE-marked fillers, and follows strict safety protocolsāgiving patients reassurance and peace of mind.
How Long Do Dermal Fillers Last?
The longevity of fillers varies, typically lasting between 6 and 18 months. Factors influencing this include the treatment area, the patientās metabolism, and the type of filler used.
Fillers in areas with high mobility, such as the lips, often break down more quickly, whereas fillers in the cheeks, jawline, or chin tend to last much longer. Patients who maintain treatments regularly may also find results last longer, as the skin responds better over time.
Which Areas Can Be Treated with Fillers?
Fillers are versatile and can be used to enhance or restore many different areas of the face:
Lip Fillers
Fillers can add subtle definition, restore volume lost with age, or enhance shape for a naturally fuller appearance.
Cheek Fillers
By restoring mid-face volume, fillers lift the face, providing youthful contours and reducing the hollow look that comes with age.
Jawline & Chin
Fillers can define the jawline, strengthen the chin, and improve facial balance and profile without surgery.
Nasolabial Folds & Marionette Lines
Fillers can smooth the creases that run from the nose to the mouth and from the corners of the mouth downward, softening an aged or tired appearance.
Tear Trough Fillers
For those with under-eye hollows or dark shadows, filler in the tear trough area can restore a more rested, rejuvenated look.
Do Dermal Filler Injections Hurt?
Most patients find filler treatments surprisingly comfortable. Modern fillers contain lidocaine, a local anaesthetic, which numbs the area during treatment. For particularly sensitive areas, such as the lips, a numbing cream can be applied beforehand.
Patients may feel a slight scratch or mild pressure during the procedure, but discomfort is minimal. Any tenderness that follows generally subsides within a couple of days.
What Results Can Be Expected?
One of the most appealing aspects of fillers is that results are visible immediately after treatment. While some mild swelling or redness may occur in the first 24ā48 hours, the outcome is clear once this settles: enhanced features, improved contours, and softer lines.
In skilled hands, results are designed to look natural. Patients treated by Jude Dunican often describe looking fresher and more youthful without appearing āoverdone.ā The goal is subtlety and balance, ensuring the face still looks like the best version of itself.
Is There Any Downtime After Fillers?
Dermal filler treatments require little to no downtime. Most patients return to work or daily activities straight away. Temporary swelling, bruising, or redness at the injection sites is normal and usually fades within a few days.
To protect results, patients are advised to avoid vigorous exercise, alcohol, or exposure to heat (such as saunas and steam rooms) for 24 hours. Heavy makeup should also be avoided until any redness or swelling has subsided. Jude provides personalised aftercare guidance to each patient following treatment.
What Happens if Results Arenāt as Expected?
A key advantage of hyaluronic acid fillers is that they can be dissolved using an enzyme called hyaluronidase. This means that if results are not as expectedāor if rare complications occurāthe filler can be safely removed. This gives patients peace of mind when choosing HA fillers.
Can Fillers Look Natural?
Yes. Natural results depend on both the injectorās skill and the patientās goals. Poor results, often seen in the media, usually stem from overfilling or unbalanced placement.
When performed with care, fillers restore proportions, create subtle enhancements, and refresh appearance without changing how someone looks. Patients should feel like the best version of themselves, not like a different person altogether.
Whatās the Difference Between Fillers and Botox?
Though often grouped together, fillers and Botox serve different purposes. Botox works by temporarily relaxing facial muscles to smooth dynamic wrinkles caused by movement, such as frown lines or crowās feet. Fillers, meanwhile, replace lost volume or add definition to areas such as the lips, cheeks, or jawline.
Many patients choose to combine Botox and fillers for a more comprehensive result, addressing both lines caused by movement and those caused by volume loss. For more information about Botox, read our Ultimate Guide to Botox Treatments or visit our Botox page.
Who Is Suitable for Dermal Fillers?
Most healthy adults are suitable candidates for filler treatments. However, they are not recommended during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or for patients with certain medical conditions. During a consultation, Jude will assess medical history and ensure the treatment is both safe and suitable for each individual.
What Are the Side Effects of Fillers?
Like all injectable treatments, dermal fillers can cause temporary side effects such as swelling, redness, bruising, or tenderness. These typically resolve within a few days.
Rare but more serious risks, such as infection or vascular occlusion, are why patients should always choose a medically trained professional. With her nursing background, Jude is trained to both minimise and manage risks effectively, ensuring patient safety remains paramount.
How Often Are Top-Ups Needed?
Top-ups are typically recommended at least every 6 to 12 months, depending on the treatment area, product used, and patient goals. The lips often require more frequent maintenance, while cheek or jawline fillers can last much longer. Consistency is key: regular treatments help maintain natural, lasting results.
Why Choose Jude Dunican for Fillers in Bromley?
With years of nursing experience and advanced training in medical aesthetics, Jude combines clinical expertise with a careful, artistic approach to Dermal Filler treatments. Her treatments are designed to enhance, not alter, ensuring patients leave looking refreshed rather than ādone.ā
Based in Bromley and serving South East London, Jude has built a reputation for safe, professional care and natural-looking results. Patients receive detailed consultations, honest advice, and personalised aftercare, reflecting Judeās commitment to patient wellbeing.
Book a Dermal Fillers Consultation in Bromley
If youāre considering dermal fillers, the first step is a consultation. This allows Jude to assess your face, discuss your goals, and design a treatment plan tailored specifically to you. Book a consultation online to explore how dermal fillers could help you achieve natural, confidence-boosting results.