Dermal fillers: what to ask before you book

Dermal fillers are injected treatments, usually sold as a quick beauty appointment. That is a poor description of what they are. They are a medical procedure with risks, so the way to approach them is to ask questions first. This page does not say whether fillers suit you, or what they will do. A licensed professional who has examined you is the one to ask. General information, not medical advice.

Are dermal fillers a medical treatment?

The NHS says all cosmetic procedures have some risks, including non-surgical ones like dermal fillers, and that they can lead to serious complications if not done correctly. It also says they can affect your mental health if the outcome is not what you expected. That is the reason to slow down and ask.

Ruling: if you are being hurried, you are in the wrong place.

Who should be injecting you?

Ask who assessed you, who will inject you and what training each has. The NHS says to book a consultation with the person who will do the procedure, to ask how many of these procedures they have done, what training and qualifications they have and whether they belong to a relevant professional association. It also says they should have the right insurance. For the three core questions, read who should be injecting you.

Questions to ask your clinic

• Who is assessing me, and who is injecting? What is each person's licence?
• What product is used, where does it come from and what is its name? You may not need a brand, but you should get a name for your records.
• What are the common side effects and the rarer, serious ones? What should I watch for?
• What happens if there is a problem? Who do I call, day or night?
• What do you do if I am not happy afterwards? Is any correction included?
• How long is the recovery typically, and what should I avoid?
• Will you give me time to decide, and write down everything we discussed?
• What does the quote include? What might I need to pay for later?

What to expect

• Before. A consultation, a medical history, a written plan and quote, and a consent form. The NHS says you should be offered a cooling-off period after the consultation.
• At the visit. Identity and consent are confirmed. The practitioner explains the steps. You can stop and ask questions. Ask how long a visit typically takes.
• After. Written aftercare, a contact number and a follow-up plan. Ask your clinic what you should look out for and how long it should take.

Red flags

• Treatment at a party, a home, a hotel or a pop-up. The NHS says to avoid group treatments, events with alcohol and mobile services.
• Discount vouchers or deadlines. The NHS warns against vouchers sold on group-discount sites.
• The practitioner is only found on social media. The NHS advises caution here and says influencers are usually paid.
• Nobody will say what product is being used.
• No assessment, no consent form, no aftercare.
• Promises about how you will look.

When should you get urgent help?

If you notice severe pain, skin colour change, vision changes, breathing trouble, spreading redness or you feel very unwell after an injection, contact your clinic and seek urgent medical care. Do not wait for your next appointment.

Common mistakes

• Choosing the lowest quote. See why the cheapest quote is not the whole price.
• Not asking what product was used and keeping no record.
• Booking at the first consultation. Take time to think.
• Saying yes to extra areas on the day.

How do you decide?

Yes to all: licensed assessor and injector named, product described, risks and aftercare explained, written consent and quote, emergency contact given, time to decide. If one is no, ask again or look elsewhere, perhaps via the clinic directory and our licence routine. If you are weighing injectables against each other, read muscle-relaxing injections or fillers.