Dermal fillers, skin treatments and regenerative options: what’s the difference?

Aesthetic treatments are not interchangeable. Some add or redistribute volume, some work at the skin surface, some create a controlled healing response and some use injectable products intended to support skin quality. The right option depends on the concern, your health, your skin and the balance of benefit and risk.

Dermal fillers

Definition: gel-like products injected beneath the skin to add or restore volume, support contour or soften a selected feature. Many commonly used fillers contain hyaluronic acid, but products and properties differ.

Who they may suit: an adult with a specific contour or volume concern, realistic expectations and a healthy treatment area. They are not a general answer to every line or sign of ageing.

Key considerations: bruising, swelling, tenderness, lumpiness and asymmetry can occur. Less common complications can be serious, including infection, nerve injury and interruption of blood supply with tissue damage or loss of vision.

Microneedling

Definition: fine sterile needles create controlled micro-injuries in the skin, prompting a wound-healing response. Device, needle depth and treatment area materially change the procedure.

Who it may suit: selected adults concerned about skin texture, the appearance of some scars, fine lines or unevenness after an individual skin assessment.

Key considerations: temporary redness, warmth, tightness, pinpoint bleeding or peeling may occur. Infection and temporary or lasting pigment change are possible, and active infection or certain skin conditions may make treatment unsuitable.

Chemical peels

Definition: a chemical solution is applied to remove skin cells to a planned depth. Superficial, medium and deep peels are materially different procedures with different recovery and risk.

Who they may suit: selected concerns involving surface texture, congestion, uneven tone or pigmentation, depending on skin type, the product and peel depth.

Key considerations: irritation, redness, peeling, burns, infection, scarring and lighter or darker pigmentation are possible. Skin type, sun exposure, medicines and aftercare matter.

Skin boosters and skin-quality injectables

Definition: injectable products placed in small amounts to target skin hydration or quality rather than create the structural volume associated with traditional filler. Product composition and evidence vary.

Who they may suit: selected adults concerned about dry, crepey or dull-looking skin who understand that results are gradual, variable and not equivalent to a lift or volumising treatment.

Key considerations: they remain injectable procedures, with risks such as bruising, swelling, infection, nodules, asymmetry and vascular injury depending on the product and technique.

Polynucleotides

Definition: injectable products containing purified polynucleotide material are used in aesthetic practice with the aim of supporting skin quality. Products, protocols and supporting evidence are not identical.

Who they may suit: selected adults seeking a skin-quality rather than volumising approach, after discussion of realistic goals, alternatives and uncertainty.

Key considerations: suitability depends on the exact product, allergies, health, medicines and treatment area. Temporary swelling, bruising and injection-site reactions can occur; individual consent must cover product-specific risks.

PRP: platelet-rich plasma

Definition: a sample of your own blood is processed to concentrate platelets, and the prepared plasma is then administered for a selected purpose.

Who it may suit: some adults considering a regenerative approach for selected skin-quality or hair-related concerns after assessment. Evidence, protocols and expected outcomes vary by indication.

Key considerations: it involves both blood collection and administration. Bruising, discomfort and infection are possible, and blood, platelet, immune or other medical issues may make it unsuitable. A medical indication requires separate scope and regulatory review.

Filler-dissolution assessment

Definition: a clinical assessment for someone worried about previous hyaluronic-acid filler, an unwanted result or a possible complication. Assessment comes before any decision to dissolve.

Who it may suit: someone with persistent aesthetic concerns after filler or anyone advised to seek review. Sudden severe pain, skin colour change, visual symptoms or rapidly worsening symptoms require urgent clinical assessment rather than a routine cosmetic appointment.

How to choose

Start with the concern, not the product name. A consultation should compare reasonable options—including no treatment—and explain likely benefit, material risk, recovery, aftercare, cost and maintenance.

Independent guidance

See the NHS advice on choosing a cosmetic practitioner and the GOV.UK consultation document describing microneedling and chemical peels.

Explore consultation options

This comparison is general information only. It does not guarantee that a service is available or suitable, and it does not replace product-specific consent or personalised aftercare.