Dermal fillers: what they do, what they cost and what to ask before you book
Filler works differently in different areas, so Dr Leah rates each area separately. Some score among the highest in the guide. One scores among the lowest, and it is one of the most requested.
In The Ageless Blueprint, Dr Leah rates sixteen filler areas out of 10, from the forehead to the jawline, including the lips by age group and the so-called liquid facelift. This page covers what any patient should know before booking.What dermal filler is
Dermal filler is a clear gel injected under the skin to restore or add volume, smooth lines or folds, or give a feature more definition, such as the lips, cheeks or chin. The fillers covered here are hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers. HA occurs naturally in the body; for filler it is manufactured as a gel. It is not permanent: it dissolves over time and can be fully dissolved with an injection of hyaluronidase, although that carries risks of its own.
In the UK, dermal fillers are classed as medical devices and should carry a CE or UKCA mark. They are not prescription-only medicines, which is one reason the market is less regulated than Botox. The practitioner, the product and the area all matter.
Generally used for
- Restoring volume: temples, cheeks, chin, jawline
- Softening fixed lines and folds: forehead, frown lines, nasolabial folds, marionette lines
- Defining features: lips, chin, jawline
- Combination plans with Botox, where filler treats the line that remains at rest
What the guide covers that this page does not
- Dr Leah’s rating out of 10 for each of sixteen areas
- The highly requested area Dr Leah rates lowest, and why
- How Dr Leah approaches lips for younger patients and for patients over 50
- Where Dr Leah would treat with Botox first and filler second
What to expect
| Results | Immediate, with swelling settling over one to two weeks. |
|---|---|
| How long it lasts | Varies by area and product. Around a year is common for many areas; some last longer. |
| Downtime | Swelling and bruising are common for a few days. Some areas swell more than others. |
| What can go wrong | Bruising, swelling, lumps and asymmetry. Rarely, filler injected into or near a blood vessel can block it, causing skin necrosis or, very rarely, loss of vision. A suspected vascular complication needs immediate medical assessment. The forehead, frown lines and nose are among the higher-risk areas. |
| Typical UK price | Most areas £350 to £650 per 1 ml syringe. Larger areas use more: a male jawline of around 5 ml is typically £1,500 to £2,500; a so-called liquid facelift of three to five syringes £900 to £2,500. |
Five things to ask before you book
- Who is treating me, what is their medical registration, and how much filler experience do they have in this area?
- Which product will you use, and is it CE or UKCA marked? Ask for the name, batch number and expiry to be recorded.
- Does the clinic keep hyaluronidase to dissolve filler, and is the practitioner trained to use it?
- What is your plan if I have a vascular complication, and who do I contact after hours?
- For lines on expression, should I be having Botox first rather than filler?
Dr Leah’s verdict is in the guide
Chapter 2 of The Ageless Blueprint rates sixteen filler areas out of 10 in Dr Leah’s own words: forehead, frown lines, nose, temples, tear trough, cheeks, nasolabial folds, marionette lines, smoker’s lines, the vermilion border, lips overall and by age group, chin, female and male jawline, and the liquid facelift. It explains which areas Dr Leah rates highest and lowest, where filler should follow Botox, and the areas that carry the most serious risks. Twenty-two pages, with illustrations and price guides for every area.
This page gives general information and does not replace a consultation with a qualified practitioner who can assess your face, skin and medical history. Prices are typical UK ranges, accurate as of September 2026, and vary between clinics. For adults aged 18 and over.
Common questions
Hyaluronic acid filler is not permanent. It dissolves over time, and it can be dissolved deliberately with an injection of hyaluronidase, which carries its own risks.
It depends on the area, the product and the patient. Many areas last around a year; some last longer. The guide gives Dr Leah’s experience for each area.
In experienced hands it is a widely used treatment, but it carries a rare, serious risk of vascular blockage that can cause skin necrosis or loss of vision. Some areas carry more risk than others. Ask how a clinic manages complications before you book.