What Dermal fillers (and Lips Fillers) can (and can’t do) for facial Rejuvenation.
- Dr Dana Sobhanpanah
- Dec 13, 2025
- 6 min read
A Guide to Subtle Enhancement at Refind Aesthetics, Islington
Learn how dermal fillers can refresh your look in our guide to facial rejuvenation at Refind Aesthetics, Islington.
A Fresh Take on Facial Renewal
Our faces are constantly evolving and overtime we lose collagen and elastic in our skin – combining this will the effects of time, lifestyle, and gravity – our skin gets wrinkles, looks less lifted, less luminous, and less like how we feel inside. Dermal fillers offer a gentle, doctor-led way to restore structure, hydration, and balance — helping you feel refreshed and more like your old self once again.
In the UK regulation, to the horror of most professional aestheticians, dermal fillers remain largely unregulated – making them risky in inexperienced hands. Here at Refind Aesthetics in Islington, you’re always treated by a GMC-registered doctor using medical grade products to protect your safety.
What Dermal Fillers Are and How They Work
Dermal fillers are soft, gel-like substances – they are used to restore lost volume beneath the skin. Most are made from hyaluronic acid (HA) — a naturally occurring molecule that binds water. In nature, HA helps skin keep supple and hydrated.
As we age, collagen and elastin levels drop …. result - skin loses elasticity and structure. Dermal fillers can reintroduce volume – this gives added support and gently lifts contours. These results are temporary as HA gradually breaks down through the body’s natural processes. This may mean you need to come back for more – but it also means if you arrive at our clinic following a filler disaster as another clinic - we can be reverse the whole process if you hate the look.
The Evolution of Fillers
The way we use fillers has changed over the years. Originally aesthetician used them to “fill in” wrinkles for example targeting lines like the nasolabial folds – ‘smile or laugh lines’. These days skilled aestheticians focus on whole-face contouring — enhancing key anchor points, such as the cheeks, jawline, and temples. The results can be spectacular and lift the face subtly and naturally. It can be very emotional seeing the transformation.
At Refind Aesthetics, we use only temporary, hyaluronic acid-based fillers. These are safer, more adaptable, and reversible. Permanent fillers can’t adjust to the natural changes in your face over time — and can lead to unwanted results – you should avoid them at all costs. Plus we can be safely dissolve HA fillers using hyaluronidase, an enzyme that breaks down the product within minutes — something no permanent filler can offer. Indeed, we are seeing more clients coming to us to sort out the dermal filler problems – so if that’s an issue for you just book a consultation.
Can Fillers Help with Wrinkles?
Yes — though the best approach depends on the type of wrinkle. There are basically three types of wrinkles – dynamic, static, and gravity. We have looked at dynamic wrinkles in a previous blog : “Is Botox® Right for Me? A Guide to Wrinkle-Softening Treatments at Refind Aesthetics, Islington”. Dynamic wrinkles are best treated with wrinkle-relaxing injections such as Botox®.
The next group are static wrinkles – unlike dynamic lines you will see them even when your face is at rest. Dermal fillers work beautifully on this type of wrinkle. The filler can be placed expertly and sit beneath the surface to lift and smooth the skin from within. Common areas include:
Nose-to-mouth (nasolabial) folds
Marionette lines beneath the mouth
Fine “lipstick lines” around the lips
The last group of lines are the gravitational or volume-related wrinkle – with age, deeper fat pads and bone structures shift downwards, leading to folds or hollows. They commonly appear on the cheeks, jawline, and temples. Dermal fillers also work well on this type of wrinkle.
Using anatomical knowledge, we can position fillers to replace lost support – this lifts the skin and restores facial balance.
Since our faces usually have a combination of wrinkle types – at Refind Aesthetics we specialise in combining fillers for volume and wrinkle-relaxing injections for movement to create a soft, balanced, and harmonious appearance. Other options include skin rejuvenation strategies which you can see in our treatment page – Advanced Aesthetic Treatments in Islington | North London | Refind Aesthetics
Can Dermal Fillers help with volume and Definition?
They are excellent for restoring volume and definition- common treatment areas include:
Cheeks & mid-face filler: Rebuild structure and natural lift.
Jawline & chin filler: Improve definition and restore symmetry – very popular with both male and female clients.
Smile lines filler: Smooth and soften transitions around the mouth.
Can they enhance and Hydrate Lips?
This is perhaps one of the most popular uses of dermal fillers in our clinic. While some clinics pump up lips with as much as possible – this is not a good look. It requires a lot of skill and training to produce beautiful, naturally looking lips – a light touch of HA filler restores natural shape, moisture, and definition while keeping lips soft and expressive. Putting too much at the beginning can result in disappointment as the ‘plumping’ process can take several days to complete – what looks good at the start can look unnatural within in few weeks.
Can Dermal Filler Revive Tired Features?
If under-eye hollows or shadows make you look tired, small amounts of strategically placed filler can restore smoothness and brightness. Done well, it results in a rested glow without altering your natural expression.
The Consultation and Treatment Process at Refind Aesthetics
We always start with a personalised consultation — a relaxed conversation to understand your goals, history, and anatomy. We assess how your facial structure moves, discuss realistic outcomes, and design a plan that meet your needs and goals.
Sometimes we’ll suggest alternatives or additional treatments such as skin boosters, collagen-stimulating treatments, or medical-grade skincare – it all depends on your skin quality and personal goals.
Once the plans agreed, using a holistic, anatomical approach, Dr Sobhanpanah maps your facial structure and muscle movement to achieve natural proportions that respect your individuality.
At Refind Aesthetics, your wellbeing comes first. We only use high quality HA fillers from trusted medical suppliers and follow strict evidence-based protocols. We will never perform any procedures that we feel are not in your best interests.
Your Treatment
Before Your Appointment
Avoid alcohol and anti-inflammatories (like ibuprofen or aspirin) for 24–48 hours.
Arrive with clean, makeup-free skin.
Allow yourself time to rest after treatment.
During Your Treatment
Most sessions take around 30–45 minutes. For you comfort, we apply a high-grade numbing cream, and most fillers already contain lidocaine for extra comfort. We often uses a micro-cannula technique, which minimises bruising and allows smoother, more precise placement of filler.
Aftercare and What to Expect
Unlike wrinkle relaxing treatments, dermal filler results are immediate – there will be mild swelling or redness, but this settles within days. You must avoid touching the area, strenuous activity, or heat exposure for 24 hours – this gives time for the product to ‘settle’.
Results, Longevity, and Maintenance
Whilst fillers deliver visible results right away, the final effect refines over a week as the gel integrates with your tissue. The longevity of the results depends on several factors including the area treated and your metabolism – however, results typically last 6–18 months.
Since your body naturally breaks down the product over time – regular maintenance helps preserve the balance and prevents the need for large corrections later on. To get the best results, clients often combine dermal fillers with skin boosters or wrinkle-relaxing treatments that can further improve texture, hydration, and tone.
Safety and Side Effects
Mild redness, tenderness, or swelling are normal and temporary. Small bruises can occur, but they fade quickly. Just remember this when you make your booking, especially if you have an important event on the horizon.
Serious complications are rare - and significantly reduced when injections are performed by a qualified medical doctor with a deep understanding of facial anatomy. That’s good news for our Refind Aesthetics clients as every treatment is doctor-led and we always ensure your safety is the priority.
Why Choose Refind Aesthetics, Islington
Well obviously, one of the main reasons is we provide doctor-led expertise that you can trust. All treatments are carried out by Dr Dana Sobhanpanah, GMC-registered and Harley Academy-trained in advanced aesthetics.
In addition, our philosophy is all about natural confidence. We don’t chase trends or create volume for its own sake. Our aim is to create natural features and an end product that makes you look refreshed and balanced. We are also good at combining treatments to produce a more holistic approach. For information on supporting therapies please visit our blogs:
Polynucleotides for rejuvenation from within – why they’re growing in popularity.
Best Medical Grade Skincare Products for healthy, glowing skin.
Your Next Step
If you’re considering dermal fillers or lip fillers in London especially if you live in the Islington, N1 or wider area – we are walking distance from Angel Station - or want to explore how fillers can complement wrinkle-relaxing injections or microneedling, book your consultation at Refind Aesthetics. We’ll design a holistic, doctor-led plan that restores balance and brings subtle, confident refinement to your look.
Written and reviewed by Dr Dana Sobhanpanah, GMC-registered medical doctor and founder of Refind Aesthetics, Islington. Trained in Aesthetic Medicine at Harley Academy.
This article is for information purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Dermal fillers are medical devices that should only be administered following a face-to-face consultation with a qualified healthcare professional. Results vary between individuals.
