This page goes into more detail about what happens at consultation and how to look after yourself after treatment. It is relevant for anti wrinkle injections dermal fillers skin boosters and fat dissolving and is designed to support the information you receive in person.

What happens during consultation

Consultations are structured but unhurried. You will be invited to describe what bothers you in your own words and what kind of change you are hoping for. The practitioner will then examine your face and skin, looking at expression, proportions and how different areas relate to each other.

You may be asked to raise your brows, frown, smile or turn your head so that movement and profile can be assessed. For melanin rich skin or where there is a history of pigmentation or scarring, particular care is taken when planning injection techniques and aftercare.

Assessing suitability and medical safety

Injectable treatments are not suitable for everyone. Your medical history is reviewed including conditions, medications, allergies, previous procedures and lifestyle factors such as smoking or regular exercise. It is important to be open and thorough so that risks can be weighed properly.

In some cases treatment may be delayed, adapted or not recommended at all. Reasons can include medical conditions, pregnancy or breastfeeding, unrealistic expectations or where the practitioner feels that a different type of support would better serve your wellbeing. If this happens it will be explained clearly and kindly.

Discussing options risks and alternatives

Where treatment is appropriate you will be taken through the available options. These might include doing nothing, making lifestyle or skincare changes, choosing a different injectable approach, or proceeding with a specific plan. Benefits and limitations of each are set out in plain language.

Known risks and side effects – from common ones such as bruising and swelling to rarer events like vascular compromise or strong inflammatory reactions – are discussed. This allows you to decide whether the potential benefits outweigh the risks for you at this time.

Consent, photographs and cooling off

If you decide to go ahead you will be asked to sign a consent form that reflects what has been discussed. Baseline photographs are taken with your permission to document your starting point. These images are stored securely as part of your medical record.

In many cases, treatment can be done at your first visit. However, you are never obliged to proceed straight away. If you prefer to take time to think about things, you can use the consultation as information only and decide later whether to book treatment.

Immediately after treatment

Immediately after injectable treatment you may see redness, small bumps, swelling or tiny needle marks. These are expected and usually settle within hours to a few days. Some areas especially around the eyes or lips can bruise more easily.

You will usually be advised to avoid heavy exercise, hot baths or saunas, alcohol and lying flat for a short period after certain treatments. You may also be asked not to massage or apply pressure to the area unless specifically instructed to do so. Make up on treated areas is often best avoided for at least several hours.

Short term aftercare by treatment type

General guidance will be tailored to the treatment you have received. Examples include:

• Anti wrinkle injections – avoid rubbing the area or lying flat for a few hours, do not have facials or strong heat treatments that day.
• Dermal fillers – keep the area clean, avoid firm pressure and heat, expect swelling and possible asymmetry in the first days as tissues settle.
• Skin boosters – small visible bumps are common especially under the eyes and usually smooth out over several days, avoid strong skincare actives on the area initially.
• Fat dissolving – significant swelling, warmth and tenderness in the treated area are expected; follow any compression and activity advice given in writing.

Longer term considerations

Good skin care, consistent sun protection, healthy sleep and stress management all support better and more predictable results from injectable treatments. In some cases, adjustments to skincare, prescription creams or lifestyle changes will be suggested alongside or instead of injections.

Maintenance plans for injectables are spaced at sensible intervals to avoid over treating and to give your skin and tissues time to respond. Your practitioner will talk through how often review and retreatment might be reasonable for you.

When to contact the clinic

You should always contact the clinic if something does not feel right. This includes severe or increasing pain, unusual colour changes, blisters, large or worsening bruises, significant asymmetry that appears suddenly, or any signs of infection such as spreading redness, heat, pus or fever.

Full details of how to get in touch, including out of hours arrangements where appropriate, are provided on your written aftercare sheet. For anything that feels like an emergency at the time, contacting emergency services or attending your nearest emergency department is the right first step.

Review and future planning

A review appointment may be offered especially after first treatments. This gives space to look at photographs, discuss how you have found living with the result and decide together whether to leave things as they are, make a small adjustment or take a different approach in future.

The outcome of each treatment and review feeds back into your longer term plan so that the focus stays on subtle, sustainable change that supports how you want to look and feel over time.

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