Nasolabial Filler — What the Appointment Involves
What happens before, during and after a nasolabial filler appointment — the consultation, the injection itself, and the aftercare that affects the result.
If you have not had filler before, most of the anxiety is about not knowing what the appointment actually involves. This sets out each stage, from consultation through to the point where the result settles.
What the treatment addresses
Nasolabial folds run from the sides of the nose to the corners of the mouth. They deepen with age as the skin loses elasticity and volume, in part because collagen production reduces.
Ageing reduces the natural volumisers in the skin — hyaluronic acid and collagen. Years of expressive movement etch these lines more deeply.
How fillers work
Dermal fillers are gel-like compounds injected beneath the skin to replace lost volume and alter facial contour. For nasolabial folds, injection fills the area and softens the crease. Hyaluronic acid — a substance found naturally in skin — is predominantly used, because it retains moisture and can be dissolved if required.
The materials used
Hyaluronic acid fillers
Juvéderm range Various formulations providing results lasting from six months to over a year.
Restylane range A range of products designed for different facial areas with varying duration.
Teosyal RHA range Resilient hyaluronic acid fillers formulated to accommodate facial movement.
Calcium hydroxylapatite
Radiesse Reduces the appearance of nasolabial folds and also stimulates collagen production, producing a longer-lasting result. Not reversible in the way hyaluronic acid is.
Poly-L-lactic acid
Sculptra A collagen stimulator working gradually over multiple sessions to increase facial volume.
Others
Revanesse Versa — smooth consistency with limited swelling.
Belotero Balance — suited to fine lines and moderate to severe folds.
Selection depends on how long you want the result to last, whether you want a reversible material, and what the assessment finds.
Before the appointment
- Consultation. Your goals are discussed and the depth of the folds assessed, so that the treatment plan matches the finding.
- Medical assessment. Your medical history is reviewed to identify contraindications — allergies, skin conditions near the injection site, and any medication affecting bleeding.
- Skin preparation. Arrive with clean skin, free of makeup and lotions, to minimise infection risk.
During the appointment
- Anaesthesia. A topical numbing cream is usually applied around the mouth area, taking effect within 20 to 30 minutes.
- Injection. Using fine needles or cannulas, hyaluronic acid based filler is injected at planned points along the folds. Each injection is placed with reference to the underlying anatomy.
- Immediate effects. Mild redness or swelling at the treated sites is common, settling over hours or days depending on the individual.
Afterwards
- Aftercare. Avoid vigorous activity for at least 24 hours and avoid excessive heat such as saunas, which can worsen swelling.
- Follow-up. Results are visible immediately, but follow-up allows the settled result to be assessed and adjusted if required.
- Side effects. Adverse effects are uncommon when the procedure is performed under sterile conditions by an experienced practitioner. Prolonged swelling or asymmetry is addressed at follow-up.
Choosing a clinic
The relevant considerations:
Credentials The practitioner’s medical qualification and specific experience with facial fillers.
Consultation quality A proper consultation assesses your facial anatomy, discusses what you want addressed, sets out the options and states what filler can and cannot achieve in your case.
Evidence Before-and-after photographs of patients treated for the same finding.
Hygiene Sterile technique and appropriate clinical standards.
Follow-up Provision for review after treatment and for managing any complication.
Why the practitioner matters
Knowledge of facial anatomy Knowing the location of muscles and blood vessels allows accurate placement and minimises the risk of vascular complications — the most serious risk associated with facial filler.
Injection technique Proper training reduces discomfort and produces consistent placement, avoiding overfilling and asymmetry.
Risk management An experienced practitioner recognises potential complications, understands contraindications and is prepared to manage adverse reactions. This is the reason experience matters more than any other factor.
Individualised treatment Treatment is adjusted to the individual facial structure, skin type and finding rather than applied to a template.
How we quote
Fees depend on the product and volume used, and are set out in writing after assessment.
The procedure this relates to
Injectable hyaluronic acid gels used to restore volume, soften folds and adjust the contours of the face. The effect is temporary and the material is gradually absorbed, so treatment is repeated if the result is to be kept.
Before you act on this
Everything here is general. What applies to you depends on your anatomy, your history and what you are trying to achieve, and none of that can be assessed from a page. If a question here is yours, bring it to a consultation.