What Should You Ask During a Dermal Filler Consultation?

If you’re thinking about having dermal fillers, the very first step isn’t the injection; it’s the consultation. This is where you sit down with a provider, talk openly about your goals, and decide together what might work best for you.

It’s more than just an introduction. Asking the right things at this stage can help you understand your options, set realistic expectations, and feel sure you’re in good hands. In the sections below, we’ll cover the most useful topics to bring up so you leave that meeting informed and confident.

Why a Consultation Matters

A dermal filler consultation usually happens days or weeks before any treatment. Think of it as a planning session, the provider studies your face, asks about your preferences, and explains which approaches could work.

It’s also where safety, product choice, and treatment style are discussed in plain language. A good consultation gives you a chance to ask anything, from how long results last to what the appointment will feel like.

And there’s another benefit: it sets the tone. You should leave feeling that your provider understands not just your face, but also your personality and style.

Questions to Ask About the Provider

Experience matters here. You’ll want to know if your injector has worked with dermal fillers for years or months, and how often they perform the procedure. It’s worth finding out whether they’ve treated people with similar features or goals, and whether they can show before-and-after examples to help you visualise what’s possible.

Rather than firing off a checklist, try making it a conversation. You might say, “Have you worked with patients around my age before?” or “What’s your preferred approach when someone wants a really natural finish?”

The way they answer, and whether they seem genuinely interested in your goals, can tell you a lot about their style.

Questions to Ask About the Product Used

Not all fillers do the same job. Some are soft and light, perfect for fine lines. Others have more structure for contouring, and a few are chosen specifically for things like fillers for scar asymmetry.

During your consultation, ask what brand they’d choose for you and why. Follow up by finding out what’s in it, whether it’s FDA-approved or backed by strong clinical evidence, and how long you can expect it to last.

If you’re someone who likes options, you can even ask whether the filler can be reversed. That little bit of reassurance can make it easier to commit.

Questions to Ask About the Treatment Plan

Every face is different, so your plan should be too. Ask your provider to walk you through which areas they’d focus on and the reasoning behind those choices. It could be adding volume to soften shadows under the eyes, restoring fullness in the cheeks, or refining the jawline.

Find out how much filler might be used in each treatment area and whether they expect you’ll need more than one session to get the best outcome. This is also the time to ask how soon you’ll see changes. Some results appear right away, while others settle gradually.

When you understand the plan in detail, you can make decisions without second-guessing.

Questions to Ask About Preparation

Preparation is more important than it might seem. Dermal filler prep can affect not only how comfortable the appointment is, but also how your skin responds afterwards. Ask if you should avoid alcohol or certain foods for a day or two before.

Some providers may recommend stopping specific medications or supplements for a short time.
It’s also useful to know if you should schedule your appointment when you don’t have big social events planned right after, just in case there’s mild swelling.

Bringing a few reference photos can help, too, but check if your provider finds them helpful or prefers to work without them.

Questions to Ask About the Procedure Day

A lot of nerves disappear when you know what’s coming. Ask how long the appointment will take and what happens step by step from arrival to aftercare advice.

It’s fair to ask whether numbing cream will be used and if you can bring a friend for moral support.
And don’t be shy about saying, “What if I want to pause halfway through?” A good provider will make sure you feel comfortable and in control from start to finish.

Questions to Ask About Aftercare

The treatment doesn’t end when you leave the clinic. Aftercare shapes how your results develop and how long they last.

Ask what you should do in the first few hours, whether that’s avoiding makeup, skipping workouts, or using a cold compress. Find out when it’s fine to return to your normal routine and when to check in if something doesn’t feel right.

You can also ask what habits or follow-up treatments might keep your results looking their best for longer.

Questions to Ask About Pricing and Maintenance

Nobody likes surprises when it comes to cost. Ask for the full price of the treatment you’re considering and whether touch-ups are billed separately.

If you’re thinking about treating more than one area, see if they offer combined pricing. Also ask how often you might need maintenance and what happens if you decide not to continue in the future. Clear answers now make it easier to plan your beauty budget.

Questions to Ask If You’re New to Fillers

First-timers often have a different set of concerns. You might want to know how fillers compare with other treatments, what results you can realistically expect, and how your provider ensures the outcome looks natural.

Ask them to walk you through the whole journey, from your first session to any future maintenance. And if you’ve ever thought about buying dermal fillers online, this is the right time to get an honest, professional opinion about it.

Red Flags to Watch For

Some signs should make you think twice. If the provider can’t show proof of training, avoids answering your questions, or tries to push you toward treatments you never mentioned, consider looking elsewhere.

A lack of planning, no example photos, or prices that seem suspiciously low can also be warning signs. And if anyone promises perfection, that’s a good time to step back — no treatment is flawless for everyone.

References

Beleznay, K., Carruthers, J. D. A., Humphrey, S., & Carruthers, A. (2015). Avoiding and treating blindness from fillers: A review of the world literature. Dermatologic Surgery, 41(10), 1097–1117. https://doi.org/10.1097/DSS.0000000000000486

Swift, A., & Remington, K. (2011). BeautiPHIcation™: A global approach to facial beauty. Clinical Plastic Surgery, 38(3), 347–377. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cps.2011.03.010

De Boulle, K., Heydenrych, I., & Swift, A. (2018). Preventing and managing complications from hyaluronic acid fillers: An expert panel consensus. Dermatologic Surgery, 44(S1), S2–S20. https://doi.org/10.1097/DSS.0000000000001414