Thinking about a dermal filler or anti-wrinkle treatment but not quite sure where to start? You’re not alone. Most people who come through our doors in Fitzrovia have done their research online, seen results on social media, and still have a nagging feeling they want to understand more before committing.
That instinct is a good one. Injectables are medical procedures, and the more informed you are going in, the better your experience and outcome tend to be. So before you book anything, here are the five things we think every patient should think through first.
1. Choose Your Injector Carefully
This one sits at the top of the list for a reason. The person holding the needle matters more than the product, the clinic location, or the price point.
Not all injectors are equally qualified. In the UK, the regulations around who can legally administer injectables are less strict than many people assume, which means practitioners with very different levels of training can all offer the same treatments. Before booking anywhere, ask how long they have been injecting, whether they can share before and after photos of their own work, and what their medical background is.
At Cavendish Clinic, every injector is a registered aesthetic doctor with significant hands-on experience. That’s not a marketing line — it’s a clinical standard we’ve maintained since the clinic was founded in 2011. You can read more about our approach on our injectables treatments page.
When you’re considering any clinic in London, don’t skip this question. A good practitioner will welcome it.
2. Never Skip the Consultation
A consultation isn’t a box-ticking exercise. Done properly, it’s the foundation of a good outcome.
During a consultation at Cavendish Clinic, your doctor will assess your facial anatomy, review your medical history, listen to your goals, and explain what is and isn’t achievable with injectables for your specific concerns. It’s also your opportunity to ask every question you have, from how long results last to what happens if you’re not happy.
We believe no injectable treatment should ever be recommended before this conversation has taken place. If a clinic is pushing you to book a treatment before a proper consultation, that’s worth paying attention to.
The consultation is where your individual treatment plan is built. Skipping it means guessing — and in aesthetics, guessing is expensive.
3. Know Which Products Are Being Used
With so many brands and formulations on the market, knowing what’s going in your face matters.
For our Dermal Filler Cheeks, Jawline and Chin treatments, we use only market-leading, clinically proven hyaluronic acid fillers. For Dermal Lip Filler, the same applies. These products are chosen for their safety profile, predictability, and the fact that hyaluronic acid is reversible using an enzyme called hyaluronidase if needed — which is an important safety consideration.
For Anti-Wrinkle Treatments, we use licensed botulinum toxin products that are fully approved for use in the UK. We don’t use unlicensed or cheaper alternatives, because the difference in consistency and safety is significant.
Ask any clinic what brand they use and why. A confident, knowledgeable answer is a good sign. Vagueness isn’t.
4. Understand What Results Are Realistic for You
Social media has reshaped what people expect from injectables, and not always helpfully. The results in before-and-after posts are often taken under ideal lighting shortly after treatment — that’s not the full picture.
Anti-Wrinkle Treatments relax the muscles that drive dynamic lines — forehead lines, frown lines between the brows, crow’s feet. They soften and prevent lines from deepening. They don’t erase every line on the face or provide lifting.
Dermal fillers restore volume and structure in targeted areas. They are genuinely effective for cheeks, jawline definition, chin projection and tear troughs, but they work best when the treatment is tailored to your face rather than modelled on someone else’s.
If you’re looking to improve skin quality and hydration across the face rather than targeting specific lines, Profhilo Skin Booster is often the treatment that makes the biggest difference — and it’s one that many patients overlook in favour of fillers when Profhilo would actually serve their goal better.
The right practitioner will tell you honestly what each treatment can achieve for your face. That conversation is worth more than any before-and-after photo.
5. Prepare Properly and Know What to Expect Afterwards
A little preparation goes a long way, both for your comfort during treatment and for the quality of results.
Before your appointment, avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours and steer clear of aspirin, ibuprofen, and other blood-thinning medications where possible, as these increase the likelihood of bruising. Come with clean skin and no make-up on the treatment area.
After treatment, some swelling, redness, and bruising is completely normal and typically settles within a few days. Avoid intense exercise, alcohol, and direct heat for at least 24 to 48 hours. For filler treatments specifically, avoid putting direct pressure on the treated area in the days immediately following your appointment.
Serious complications from injectables are rare when treatment is carried out by a qualified medical professional using proper products. At Cavendish Clinic, our doctors are fully equipped to identify and manage complications if they arise — which is one of the most important reasons to choose a medically qualified injector in the first place.
If you’re interested in complementary treatments that work alongside injectables, many of our London patients combine their injectable appointments with Profhilo Skin Booster for overall skin quality, or Forma Radiofrequency Skin Tightening to address any skin laxity that injectables alone won’t resolve.
About This Article
Written and reviewed by the Cavendish Clinic Medical Team, Fitzrovia, Central London
Cavendish Clinic is a fully registered, doctor-led aesthetic clinic founded in 2011 by leading plastic surgeons. All injectable treatments are administered by GMC-registered aesthetic doctors with extensive clinical experience. The clinic operates under Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulations and adheres to UK medical standards across all procedures. Our doctors take a medically grounded approach to every consultation — prioritising patient safety, honest advice, and outcomes that are right for the individual. To book a consultation or ask any questions about injectable treatments in London, contact our team .
