Key Takeaways
- A consultation is a collaborative planning session to confirm filler is right and safe for you. It usually lasts 30–45 minutes.
- You'll cover your aesthetic goals, full medical history, a facial assessment, the recommended product, expected results, longevity, and cost.
- Come prepared: bring reference photos, a list of medications and past treatments, and your questions.
- Understanding your filler options including how gel firmness (G′) is matched to each area helps you make a confident decision.
- The single most important factor in your result is a qualified, experienced injector using the right product for the right area.
What is a dermal filler consultation, and why does it matter?
A dermal filler consultation is a one-on-one meeting with a qualified provider before any treatment takes place. Its purpose is to make sure fillers are a safe and suitable choice for you, and to build a treatment plan tailored to your facial anatomy and goals rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
Think of it as a collaborative planning session. Your provider evaluates your skin and facial structure, discusses which filler best fits your needs, and walks you through the process, the expected outcome, and the cost so you can make an informed decision. A thorough consultation is where good, natural-looking results actually begin.
How to prepare for your consultation
A little preparation makes the appointment far more productive:
- Bring reference photos. Images of the look you're hoping for help communicate your goals but keep in mind your results will be shaped by your own anatomy.
- List your medications and supplements. Note anything that can increase bruising, such as blood thinners, NSAIDs (ibuprofen), fish oil, and vitamin E, so your provider can advise you.
- Know your history. Be ready to disclose any previous fillers, neurotoxins (like Botox), or facial procedures including roughly when and where.
- Write down your questions. The consultation is the time to ask; a prepared list means you won't forget anything (there's a checklist further down).
- Skip alcohol for 24 hours beforehand if you might be treated the same day, as it can increase bruising.
What happens during the consultation, step by step
1. Discussing your goals. You'll describe what you'd like to change. Be specific instead of "I look tired," point to under-eye hollowing or flattened cheeks. Clear goals help your provider recommend the most effective approach.
2. Reviewing your medical history. Your safety comes first. Expect questions about allergies (particularly to lidocaine), autoimmune or bleeding conditions, skin infections, medications, and previous cosmetic treatments. Full honesty here lets your provider confirm you're a suitable candidate.
3. Facial assessment and mapping. Your provider examines your skin quality, symmetry, and areas of volume loss, then maps a precise injection plan for balanced, natural results.
4. Product recommendation. You'll be told which filler is suggested for your case and why -a softer gel for delicate, mobile areas, a firmer one for structure and contour (more on this below).
5. The plan, results, and cost. Finally, your provider explains which areas will be treated, how much product is needed, the expected results and how long they'll last, and the total cost so there are no surprises.
Understanding your filler options
This is where a good consultation gets specific, and where patients often wish they understood more. Most modern fillers are made from hyaluronic acid (HA), a substance your body produces naturally that adds volume and hydration -and, importantly, one that can be dissolved if needed. Others, such as calcium hydroxylapatite, work as collagen stimulators.
Within HA fillers, a key difference is firmness, measured as G′ (elasticity). Softer, lower-G′ gels are designed to integrate and move naturally in delicate areas like the lips; firmer, higher-G′ gels hold their shape to provide structure in areas like the cheeks and jaw. A skilled injector chooses the product to match the area and depth which is exactly why "which filler and why" is one of the most useful questions you can ask.
ELYARA's peptide-integrated HA dermal fillers are engineered with defined, consistent rheology for this reason, and pair immediate structural support with progressive collagen stimulation:
| Property | ELYARA Plus | ELYARA Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Firmness (G′) | 200 Pa | 400 Pa |
| Best suited to | Mid-dermal refinement -fine lines, texture, lips, natural movement | Structural contouring -volume, cheeks, jaw, facial architecture |
| Injection depth | Mid to deep dermis | Deep dermis to subcutaneous |
| Longevity | 9–12 months | 12–18 months |
A reassuring point worth raising at your consultation: because HA fillers like ELYARA's are reversible with an enzyme called hyaluronidase, results can be adjusted or dissolved if ever needed. You can read more about the technology behind ELYARA in the ELYARA story and the resource library.
Questions to ask at your dermal filler consultation
The best consultations are a two-way conversation. Bring these:
- What are your qualifications and how experienced are you with this specific treatment?
- Which filler are you recommending for me, and why that one for this area?
- How much product do you suggest, and can we start conservatively?
- What results are realistic for my anatomy and can I see before-and-after photos of your patients?
- What are the possible side effects and risks, and how do you manage them?
- Is the filler reversible if I'm not happy with the result?
- What does aftercare involve, and what's the recovery like?
- What is the total cost, and how long will the results last?
A confident, science-led answer to these especially "which product and why" -is a strong sign you're in good hands. If you feel pushed toward more volume than you asked for, that's a reason to pause.
Can I get filler on the same day as my consultation?
Often, yes. If you're confirmed as a good candidate and feel comfortable proceeding, many providers can treat you the same day. But there's no obligation so it's completely reasonable to take time to think it over, and a trustworthy provider will support that rather than rush you.
How long does a filler consultation take?
A thorough first consultation usually takes about 30 to 45 minutes, enough time to discuss your goals, review your medical history, assess your face, and answer your questions without feeling rushed. Follow-up consultations are typically shorter.
Choosing the right provider
Everything above matters less than who is holding the syringe. Look for a qualified, medically trained injector who explains their product choices in plain language, whose before-and-afters look natural rather than overfilled, who starts conservatively, and who works with well-characterised, regulated fillers. Ask whether they use CE-approved HA fillers such as ELYARA Plus and Ultra, and why. The right answer is about your face and goals -not a hard sell.
What patients should know before they go
A consultation isn't a commitment to treatment, it's how you gather the information to make a confident decision. Go in with clear goals, be fully honest about your history, ask plenty of questions, and expect a personalised plan rather than a fixed menu. Natural, lasting results come from the combination of a skilled injector and the right product placed correctly and the consultation is where both are decided.
For clinicians
For the aesthetic physicians and clinics ELYARA works with, the consultation is where trust and treatment planning begin and predictable products make for predictable plans. ELYARA provides peptide-integrated regenerative fillers with defined rheology, alongside injection protocols, patient-selection guidance, and clinical data on onboarding. See our education leadership page, or partner with us to bring the range into your practice.
Frequently asked questions
What happens at a dermal filler consultation?
At a dermal filler consultation you discuss your aesthetic goals, review your full medical history, have your face assessed, and receive a recommended filler, treatment plan, expected results, longevity, and cost. It's a planning session to confirm filler is safe and suitable for you, and your opportunity to ask questions before deciding.
How long does a dermal filler consultation take?
A thorough first consultation typically lasts about 30 to 45 minutes, allowing enough time to discuss goals, review medical history, assess the face, and answer questions without feeling rushed.
Can I get fillers on the same day as my consultation?
Often, yes. If you're confirmed as a good candidate and feel comfortable proceeding, treatment can frequently be done the same day. There's no obligation, and a good provider will never pressure you -it's fine to take time to decide.
How do I know if I'm a good candidate for dermal fillers?
Good candidates are generally in good health, have realistic expectations, and want to address volume loss, wrinkles, or contour imbalance. People who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or who have certain medical conditions, may not be suitable -your provider confirms this at the consultation.
What questions should I ask at a filler consultation?
Ask about the provider's qualifications and experience, which filler they recommend and why, whether you can start conservatively, realistic results for your anatomy, possible side effects, whether the filler is reversible, aftercare, cost, and how long results last.
How should I prepare for a filler consultation?
Bring reference photos, a list of your medications and supplements (especially blood thinners), details of any past filler or cosmetic treatments, and your questions. Avoiding alcohol and blood-thinning medications beforehand can reduce bruising if you're treated the same day.
Are dermal fillers reversible?
Hyaluronic acid fillers, including ELYARA's, can be dissolved with an enzyme called hyaluronidase, so results can be adjusted or reversed if needed. This is worth confirming with your provider at the consultation.
Ready for your consultation or bringing ELYARA to your clinic
If you're a patient, book a consultation with a qualified injector and ask whether they use well-characterised, CE-approved HA fillers like ELYARA Plus and Ultra -and see real skin stories for inspiration. If you're a clinician, partner with ELYARA to bring peptide-integrated regenerative fillers and full clinical support into your practice.