What dermal fillers do
Dermal fillers are temporary gels made with hyaluronic acid (HA). They add hydration and structure to selected areas, and can soften the look of lines or restore volume. Julia uses a mixture of HA fillers, including Restylane, and all of them can be dissolved with a prescription-only medication.
Julia will ask what you would like to change, then assess your face as a whole before talking through the options. We do not offer permanent fillers. Before you decide, you can ask about the product, amount, likely result, risks and aftercare.
Volume and facial balance
Sometimes a line is related to volume loss elsewhere. Julia looks at your face first and may suggest restoring support in one area instead of treating the line on its own. For example, cheek volume can support the area below it and may improve the appearance of nasolabial folds and under-eye hollows.
At consultation, we will talk through the amount and placement with you.
Fillers add volume. If your concern is a line caused by facial movement, anti-wrinkle treatment for dynamic lines works differently and may be another option to discuss. For gradual, longer-lasting volume built from your own collagen, ask about Sculptra and Radiesse.
Areas treated with dermal fillers
We use filler in the lips, cheeks, chin, jawline, nasolabial folds and marionette lines. We do not offer nose filler. It may also be used for smile lines and smoker's lines around the mouth, or to add volume support as part of a non-surgical face lift.
Lip fillers
Lip fillers in Bristol can add shape and hydration. Most people start with up to 0.5ml. A 1ml treatment gives a more visible change in volume.
The fillers we use contain lidocaine, a local anaesthetic, and we offer complimentary numbing cream before treatment. Lips move throughout the day, which can affect how long filler lasts. Results are temporary and vary from person to person.
Cheek and mid-face filler
Cheek filler can restore volume and definition through the mid-face. Julia looks at your cheeks in relation to the rest of your face, including whether added support there could indirectly improve the appearance of nasolabial folds or under-eye hollows.
Chin and jawline filler
Chin filler can add projection or length to the chin. Jawline filler can define the lower face. Each costs £210 for up to 1ml, including the consultation. Julia will assess your face as a whole and discuss the area and amount with you at consultation.
Nasolabial folds and marionette lines
Nasolabial folds run from the sides of the nose towards the corners of the mouth. Marionette lines run from the mouth corners towards the chin. Filler may be used in either area. At consultation, Julia will also consider whether cheek support is relevant to the lines you have noticed.
What happens at your appointment
Appointments usually take 30 to 60 minutes.
- Consultation: Julia asks what you would like to change, assesses your face and explains suitable options and risks.
- Numbing: the filler contains lidocaine, and we offer complimentary numbing cream before treatment.
- Treatment: Julia agrees the area and amount with you before proceeding. Where appropriate, she can use blunt-tipped cannulas. Their rounded tip is less likely to puncture a blood vessel than a sharp needle, which may mean less chance of bruising.
- Aftercare: you leave with an aftercare sheet that includes out-of-hours contact details, in case you have questions once you are home.
Side effects and risks
Redness, swelling, bruising and tenderness are common after treatment. They are usually short-lived. A rare but serious risk is vascular occlusion, which happens when filler enters a blood vessel and blocks blood flow. Julia will talk through risks and aftercare with you at consultation.
Hyaluronic acid filler can be dissolved using a prescription-only medication. In England, the law does not allow cosmetic fillers to be given to anyone under 18.
How long do dermal fillers last?
Results last from nine months to two years, depending on the product, area and depth of placement. Filler placed deep in a less mobile area, such as the temple, can last longer than filler in the lips, which move frequently. Julia can give you an estimate for the area you are considering at consultation.
For firmer skin without injectable volume, see Collagen Lift radiofrequency skin tightening.
Dermal filler prices in Bristol
Lip, cheek, chin, jawline and nasolabial fold filler cost £210 for up to 1ml, including the consultation. Each additional ml is £180, so 2ml costs £390.
Who does your treatment
Julia Vickers, owner and founder of Skin & Beauty Box, carries out dermal filler treatments at all three salons. She has 20 years in the beauty industry and 10 years in aesthetics. The business was named Guinot Salon of the Year in 2019.
You are welcome to ask Julia about her training and experience at consultation. The JCCP public information page explains how people considering fillers can find safety advice and access practitioner registers. Treatments are available at the Clifton Down salon, Westbury on Trym and Westbury Park. For other options, see aesthetics and injectables in Bristol.
Who you’ll see
- All three salons: Julia Vickers, founder and advanced aesthetics practitioner
Julia carries out this treatment herself at every salon.