Do dermal fillers hurt?

Discomfort is minimal — a strong numbing cream is applied first and the fillers themselves contain added anaesthetic. Some tenderness or swelling for a few days afterwards is normal.

Dermal fillers in Basingstoke — from £210

Georgie, Nurse Director at LUMOS Clinic Basingstoke, holding Juvéderm Volift filler and a syringe

What it is

As we age, skin becomes drier and less firm, and we can look tired or older than we feel. Dermal fillers temporarily restore lost volume, reduce fine lines and enhance the right areas of the face. And it's not only about ageing — they can add definition to cheeks, jawline, chin and nose too.

The fillers are made from hyaluronic acid, a substance that occurs naturally in the body. Your body gradually breaks the product down (typically 6–18 months), so features return to how they looked before treatment. The aim is natural-looking, not "plastic". All filler treatment at LUMOS is administered by Georgie, an Independent Nurse Prescriber.

What it treats

Cheek enhancement — restore lifted, defined cheeks, from £210.
Nasolabial lines — nose-to-mouth lines, from £210.
Marionette lines — mouth-to-chin lines, from £210.
Tear-troughs — under-eye hollows and shadowing, £340 (see tear-trough filler).
Jawline and chin definition — sharper lower-face contours, from £210.
Non-surgical rhinoplasty — gentle nose reshaping without surgery, from £210.
Lip enhancement — balanced, proportionate lips (see lip enhancement; full-face planning in full face rejuvenation).
Décolletage wrinkles — softening chest lines.

What to expect & aftercare

The consultation covers your medical history, allergies, and whether you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
A strong anaesthetic cream is applied and the fillers contain added anaesthetic, so discomfort is minimal.
Some tenderness, swelling, lumps or unevenness for up to 14 days (mostly settled within 72 hours); a chance of bruising.
Drink plenty of water. Avoid alcohol, ibuprofen and vitamin A/E/fish oils for 48 hours either side; no makeup for 6 hours; no exercise for 24 hours; no flight for 72 hours; avoid excess heat for 7 days.

Is it right for me?

Filler suits people who want lost volume restored or definition added while keeping their natural character — the test is that friends say you look rested, not "done". It is not suitable during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or if you have an active skin infection in the treatment area. The consultation covers all of this honestly — and if filler isn't the right answer for your concern, we'll tell you what is, even if that's a different treatment or nothing at all.

Profhilo — award-winning

Profhilo is an award-winning treatment for facial revitalisation and skin remodelling, suitable for the face and neck, and part of our range of skin boosters. A course of 2–3 treatments a month apart is recommended for optimal results, then one further treatment every 4–6 months to maintain. It's made by a heat-only hybrid process with no chemical crosslinkers, and its published safety review covers three years of worldwide use with just 12 adverse-event reports — none serious (Cassuto et al., 2020).

The evidence

Hyaluronic acid fillers are backed by a large randomised-trial literature. A 2021 systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised trials in nasolabial folds (Aesthetic Plastic Surgery) found HA fillers delivered significant, durable correction of moderate-to-severe folds, with most formulations maintaining improvement for around 9–12 months. Long-term extension trials (up to 18 months) have confirmed the same. What the research is honest about: filler is a volume correction, not a skin-texture fix; results depend heavily on injector technique; and swelling and bruising in the first days are normal and common, while serious complications are rare but real — which is why placement and anatomy knowledge matter.

Dermal filler pricing

Filler is priced per area, with the free consultation giving you an itemised price before anything is booked. Full pricing across all treatments is on our prices page.

Nose to mouth linesfrom £210

Mouth to chin linesfrom £210

Tear-trough (under eyes)£340

Profhilo£275

Profhilo — two treatmentsfrom £500

Common questions

Will it look obvious?

Not if it's done well. The approach is subtle and proportionate — the goal is that you look like a fresher version of yourself.

How long does it last?

On average 6–12 months, and longer if you stay well hydrated. Excessive exercise, sunbeds and smoking can shorten the result.

How much does it cost?

Most filler treatments start from £210 — the depth of the line affects how much filler is used, so the exact price is confirmed at consultation. Tear-trough filler is £340. The consultation is free and gives you an itemised price first.

Does it hurt?

Discomfort is minimal — a strong numbing cream is applied first and the fillers contain added anaesthetic. Some tenderness or swelling for a few days is normal.

Want the detail on what filler costs and why prices vary? Read how much dermal fillers cost in Basingstoke. For the delicate area under the eyes, see tear-trough filler for under-eye hollows, or for lip-specific advice the lip fillers guide covers what natural looks like. Filler restores volume; to soften expression lines instead, see anti-wrinkle injections, or how filler and Botox fit together in the Botox cost guide. See the how much lip filler guide for lip-specific pricing, or the injectables aftercare guide for what to expect after treatment.

Dermal fillers in Basingstoke — restore volume, naturally.

Concerns this treatment addresses