What happens at a first dermal filler appointment?

The appointment typically takes 75–90 minutes. First 30–45 minutes is a structured consultation with medical history, facial assessment, written plan, and photography. Next 20 minutes is topical numbing. Then 15–30 minutes for the injection itself. You leave with written aftercare and a 2-week review booked.

How much do dermal fillers actually cost in Marylebone?

At this clinic, lip filler starts at £350 for 0.5ml, cheek filler at £450 for 1ml, tear-trough filler at £550 for 1ml covering both sides, and jawline filler at £450 for 1ml. All prices include a complimentary 2-week review with any necessary adjustments performed free of charge at that review.

How long does a first filler appointment take?

Plan for 90 minutes from arrival to departure. The consultation portion takes 30–45 minutes, topical numbing 15–20 minutes, actual injection 15–30 minutes depending on treatment area, and a brief aftercare discussion 5–10 minutes. Not a rushed "in and out" appointment.

Can I drive home after filler treatment?

Yes. Dermal filler treatment does not impair you in any way that would affect driving. You can drive immediately afterward, work in the afternoon, and go about normal activity. The only restrictions are avoiding heavy exercise, alcohol, and heat (saunas) for 24 hours.

Is lip filler reversible?

Yes, fully and immediately. Hyaluronic acid filler can be dissolved with hyaluronidase, an enzyme that breaks HA down within 24–48 hours. This clinic stocks hyaluronidase on-site for same-day correction of any complication. Reversibility is one of the key safety advantages of HA filler.

Dermal Fillers in Marylebone: What to Expect at Your First Appointment

The Short Answer

A first dermal filler appointment in Marylebone takes approximately 90 minutes from arrival to departure and includes a structured consultation, medical history, written treatment plan, photography, topical numbing, the injection itself, aftercare counselling, and a booked 2-week review. You can drive, work, and resume normal activity afterwards. The only real downtime is 2–5 days of swelling for lip treatments and occasional bruising for 5–7 days.

Step 1 — Arrival & Consultation (30–45 Minutes)

You arrive and are offered water. The consultation is conducted seated (not at the treatment bed) and covers:

Medical history including any previous aesthetic treatment, medications, allergies, pregnancy/breastfeeding status, autoimmune conditions, and any planned dental work
Goal discussion — what you want to achieve, what you want to avoid, any specific photos you want to reference
Facial assessment covering proportion, existing volume, skin quality, and any areas that might contraindicate treatment
Written treatment plan with specific products, volumes, placement, and pricing
Photography with consent for before-comparison at review

This is the stage at which Dr Valentina may recommend against treatment, suggest skincare first, or recommend a different treatment than you came in for. Approximately 20% of first-appointment patients are told to hold off and come back in 6 weeks with better hydration, or to do microneedling first.

Step 2 — Numbing (20 Minutes)

Topical numbing cream (usually 5% lidocaine) is applied to the treatment area and left for 15–20 minutes. For lip treatment this means fully covering the lips and waiting; for cheek and jawline treatment it is applied at injection points. While numbing takes effect, you sign written informed consent covering product, dose, area, risks, and aftercare.

Step 3 — Treatment (15–30 Minutes)

Which product will be used

Lips: Juvéderm Volbella or Restylane Kysse (small-particle, soft)
Cheeks: Juvéderm Voluma (cohesive, lifting)
Tear trough: Restylane Defyne (flexible, less hydrophilic)
Chin / jawline: Teosyal Ultra Deep or Juvéderm Voluma (structural)

Every filler product used contains lidocaine, so the anaesthesia continues to build as the product is injected.

What it feels like

Most patients rate lip filler discomfort as 3–5 out of 10; cheek and jawline as 2–3; tear trough as 2. The blunt-tipped cannula technique used for most areas produces a sensation of pressure rather than sharpness. You can ask Dr Valentina to pause at any time.

Step 4 — Immediately After

Lips: visible swelling that peaks at 24–48 hours, full settling by day 14
Cheeks: mild fullness that settles in 3–5 days
Tear trough: usually minimal visible change immediately
Jawline / chin: firm feeling for 3–7 days as the product integrates

Mild bruising occurs in approximately 20% of first-time treatments. It resolves in 5–7 days and can be covered with makeup after 4 hours.

Step 5 — The 2-Week Review (Included)

Every first treatment includes a complimentary 2-week review:

Assessment of result vs. the agreed plan
Photography for before/after comparison
Any necessary adjustment (extra product to finesse the result) performed free of charge
Discussion of maintenance interval and next steps

Most first-treatment patients require a small adjustment at the 2-week review because the starting dose is deliberately conservative. About 30% of first treatments need no adjustment at all.

What to Avoid Before Your Appointment

48 hours before: alcohol, aspirin, ibuprofen, fish oil, vitamin E, ginkgo (all increase bruising)
24 hours before: heavy exercise, very salty food
Day of: no makeup on the treatment area
Do not schedule flights within 48 hours of treatment (pressure changes can worsen swelling)

Realistic Expectations

First-time filler treatment is deliberately conservative at this clinic. A 0.5ml first-time lip treatment looks subtle — sometimes more subtle than you expected. This is on purpose. Adding 0.5ml more at the 4-week review is easy; dissolving a 1ml overfill is easy but disruptive. Starting conservative and reviewing is how good results compound over years.

Pricing at Dr Valentina’s Marylebone Clinic

0.5ml lip definition: £350
1ml cheek: £450
1ml tear trough (both sides): £550
1ml jawline contouring: £450

All prices include the 2-week review and any necessary adjustment.