When filler is injected into the skin, it smooths out fine lines and wrinkles and plumps out areas which have lost volume. Essentially, dermal fillers work in place of diminished fat, collagen and elastin.

Hyaluronic acid (the most common filler substance) makes a great injectable as it attracts and holds onto lots of water – this water then helps create the plumping effect underneath the skin.

One of the biggest benefits of fillers is skin rejuvenation – lines and wrinkles can be filled out and the face can be sculpted with a little help from dermal fillers. There’s even a treatment called the liquid facelift which uses fillers to give the face a firmer, youthful look as an alternative to a surgical facelift.

Dermal filler injections can also be used to alter and define facial features like the nose, chin and jawline, as well as for treating acne scars.

The most common types of dermal fillers are made from hyaluronic acid, including the popular brands Juvéderm and Restylane. Hyaluronic acid is often favoured over other filler substances because it can be dissolved (with an enzyme called hyaluronidase) if anything goes wrong with the treatment or if the client doesn’t like the results.

Another plus of hyaluronic acid is that it’s a naturally-occurring molecule found in the skin, which means it’s a safe material that’s well-received by the body.

The treatment time will depend on the area being injected and how much filler is needed. But, generally, dermal filler treatments are quick, taking less than 15 minutes. For more intensive filler treatments – like the liquid facelift – the procedure can take about 30 minutes to an hour.

If a numbing cream is used, you’ll have to wait roughly 20 minutes for it to kick in before the treatment begins.

There’s no downtime following a filler treatment, so you’ll be able to resume your plans as usual. And any side effects you encounter should clear up within a few days of your treatment.

But, you might want to clear your calendar of important events until any signs of redness, swelling and bruising have disappeared.

Your practitioner will likely apply a topical numbing cream to the target area to help reduce pain as much as possible. Lots of modern fillers also contain lidocaine, which will continue to numb the area with each injection.

Some areas of the face will be more sensitive than others – like the lips and nose – but, talk to your practitioner about pain management options if you’re concerned.

A week prior to your treatment, avoid taking aspirin, ibuprofen, vitamin E and fish oil supplements as these may increase bleeding and bruising. However, if you are taking any prescribed medicines, including aspirin, do not stop taking them. Instead, chat with your practitioner or GP first.

Avoiding alcohol for at least one day before your treatment is also recommended.

Try not to touch the treated areas immediately after your anti-ageing treatment as this can lead to infection or interfere with the placement of filler. Exercise, alcohol and heat should be avoided for the first couple of days after the treatment and you should wait 1-2 weeks before having any other aesthetic treatments.

When hyaluronic acid-based dermal fillers are used, results typically last for 6-18 months. But, their exact longevity will vary from person to person as it depends on how quickly each individual metabolises the filler.

For non-hyaluronic acid fillers, results can last for years