Common Myths About Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers are one of the most popular aesthetic treatments in the UK, yet they're also one of the most misunderstood. Misinformation spreads quickly — through social media, scare stories, and well-meaning friends who heard something from someone — and it can put people off a treatment that might genuinely benefit them, or worse, lead them to make poorly informed decisions.

Here are the myths we hear most often in clinic, and what's actually true.

Myth 1: Fillers Are Only for Older People

Fillers aren't an age-specific treatment. They're a tool — and what they're used for depends entirely on the individual.

For older patients, fillers are typically used to restore volume that's been lost over time: replenishing hollowed cheeks, softening deep folds around the mouth, or rebuilding structure along the jawline. For younger patients, the goal is usually enhancement rather than restoration — adding definition to the jawline, balancing the profile with chin filler, or subtly augmenting the lips.

There's no "right age" to start. What matters is whether there's a genuine concern that filler can address, and whether the practitioner is recommending it for the right reasons — not simply because a patient walked through the door.

Myth 2: Fillers Look Fake

This is probably the most damaging myth, because it stops people from exploring a treatment that — done well — should be completely undetectable.

The reason fillers have a reputation for looking unnatural is that you only notice the bad ones. When filler is placed skilfully, in the right amounts and in the right planes, nobody can tell. You just look well. The overfilled lips, the pillow-face cheeks, the frozen-looking results you see online — those are the product of poor technique, too much product, or both.

The difference between natural and unnatural results almost always comes down to the practitioner, not the product.

Myth 3: Fillers Are Permanent

Most dermal fillers used today are made from hyaluronic acid, which is a substance your body produces naturally. These fillers are temporary — they're gradually broken down and absorbed by your body over time. Depending on the area treated and the product used, results typically last anywhere from six months to two years.

This is actually one of the great advantages of hyaluronic acid fillers. If you don't like the result, it can be dissolved. If you want to adjust your look over time, you can. You're never locked into anything.

It's worth noting that there are non-hyaluronic acid fillers on the market — some of which are semi-permanent or permanent. At Karwal Aesthetics, we exclusively use hyaluronic acid fillers because of their safety profile and reversibility.

Myth 4: Fillers Are Just for Women

The number of men seeking filler treatments has increased significantly in recent years, and for good reason. A well-defined jawline, a stronger chin, and a refreshed under-eye area aren't gendered concerns — they're things that affect how confident anyone feels about their appearance.

The approach for male patients is different, though. Masculine facial aesthetics typically call for more angularity, width, and projection rather than the softer, more tapered results that suit most female patients. A practitioner who understands these differences will deliver results that enhance masculinity rather than softening it — which is a common fear among men considering treatment.

Myth 5: Fillers Are Extremely Painful

Most patients describe the sensation as mild discomfort rather than pain. The majority of modern fillers contain lidocaine — a local anaesthetic — built into the product, which numbs the area as the filler is injected. Topical numbing cream can also be applied beforehand for more sensitive areas like the lips.

Does it feel like nothing at all? No. But it's far more tolerable than most people expect, and the entire treatment is usually over within 15 to 30 minutes.

Myth 6: Fillers Cause Cancer or Serious Disease

There is no scientific evidence linking hyaluronic acid fillers to cancer or systemic disease. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance in the body, and the products used in aesthetic medicine have been extensively tested, regulated, and approved by authorities such as the MHRA and the FDA.

Like any medical procedure, fillers carry risks — but these are local and treatable, not systemic. We'll cover those risks honestly during your consultation, because understanding them is part of making an informed decision.

Myth 7: More Filler Means Better Results

This is one of the most important myths to challenge, because it's one that some practitioners actually reinforce.

More filler does not mean a better result. In fact, overfilling is the single most common reason people end up looking unnatural. The face can only accommodate so much volume before it starts to look puffy, heavy, or disproportionate — and once you've crossed that line, the only fix is dissolving and starting again.

The best results come from using the minimum amount of product needed to achieve the desired effect. A skilled practitioner will know when to stop, and will sometimes recommend staging treatments across multiple sessions rather than doing everything at once. If someone is encouraging you to add more and more product, that should be a red flag.

Myth 8: All Fillers Are the Same

Not all fillers are created equal. Hyaluronic acid fillers come in different formulations — some are thicker and designed for deep structural support (like jawline and chin work), while others are softer and suited to delicate areas like the lips or under-eyes. Using the wrong product in the wrong area is a recipe for poor results.

Beyond the product itself, technique varies hugely. The same filler placed by two different practitioners can produce completely different outcomes. This is why choosing based on price alone is risky — the cheapest option usually means compromises somewhere, whether that's the product quality, the time spent on your consultation, or the practitioner's level of experience.

Myth 9: You Can't Dissolve Filler Once It's Done

You can — and this is one of the key safety advantages of hyaluronic acid fillers. An enzyme called hyaluronidase can be injected to dissolve filler if there's a complication, if the result isn't what you wanted, or if previous filler from another clinic needs to be corrected before fresh treatment.

At Karwal Aesthetics, we use ultrasound guidance when dissolving filler, which allows us to see exactly where the product is sitting beneath the skin. This makes the process more precise and more effective than dissolving blind, which is still the standard approach at most clinics.

Myth 10: Filler Results Are Immediate and Final

You'll see a difference straight away, but what you see on the day isn't quite the finished result. There's usually some swelling for the first few days — particularly with lip filler — which can make things look fuller or slightly uneven initially. The true result settles in after about two weeks.

This is why a good practitioner won't judge the final outcome on the day, and neither should you. If you're concerned about anything once the swelling has subsided, a follow-up appointment is the right time to assess and make any adjustments.

The Bottom Line

Most of the fear and confusion around fillers comes from misinformation rather than genuine risk. When performed by a qualified, experienced practitioner using high-quality products, dermal fillers are a safe and effective way to enhance your appearance — whether that's restoring what time has taken away or refining features you've always wanted to improve.

If you have questions or want an honest assessment of whether filler is right for you, book a consultation with Dr Arun Karwal at our Mayfair clinic. We'd rather you leave informed and undecided than misinformed and committed.