Lip Filler Cost UK: 2025 Prices per ml, Clinics & FAQs
- Sadiq Quasim
- 1 day ago
- 10 min read
Wondering what plumping your pout really costs? Across the UK in 2025 clinics charge £75-£550 per millilitre, with 0.5 ml touch-ups around £170 and a full 1 ml averaging £265. Prices have climbed 7–12 % since 2024 as premium filler suppliers raised wholesale rates, insurance premiums rose and tougher licensing rules added overheads. Location, injector credentials and the brand inside the syringe still make the biggest difference to your quote.
In the pages that follow you'll find an up-to-date price comparison of leading clinics (including our own medical-led team in Luton), a clear explanation of what you’re paying for, tips for saving money without cutting corners, and straightforward answers to the questions patients ask every day. We’ll also show how finance plans and package deals trim the bill. By the end you’ll know exactly how many millilitres you might need, how long the results will last, and how to choose a safe, well-priced provider.
How Much Do Lip Fillers Cost in the UK in 2025?
Scan half-a-dozen clinic price lists and you’ll see the same pattern: the smaller the dose, the smaller the bill—but only up to a point. In 2025 the national averages sit at:
0.5 ml: £75–£275 (median £170)
1 ml: £95–£395 (median £265)
Premium 1 ml “signature” packages using advanced techniques or flagship brands: £420–£550
The table below pulls the figures into one place so you can benchmark any quote quickly.
Volume | London & South-East | Rest of England | Wales / Scotland / N. Ireland | UK Median |
---|---|---|---|---|
0.5 ml | £140–£275 | £110–£220 | £75–£190 | £170 |
1 ml | £195–£395 | £155–£325 | £95–£285 | £265 |
Premium 1 ml | £450–£550 | £420–£495 | £420–£495 | £485 |
Why the spread? Clinics inside the M25 absorb higher commercial rents, CQC compliance costs and steeper indemnity insurance; expect to pay a 20–30 % “London premium”. Head north of Birmingham and prices typically drop £40–£70 per millilitre, though travel fares can wipe out the saving if you’re not local.
Compared with 2023–24 tariffs, lip filler cost UK-wide has edged up 7–12 %. The rise mirrors wholesale hikes on hyaluronic acid gels and the extra admin introduced by incoming practitioner licensing rules. In most cases the advertised fee is VAT-inclusive, but always double-check: clinics newly crossing the £90 k turnover threshold must add 20 % if not already building it into the headline price.
How Many Millilitres Will You Actually Need?
First-timer? Most patients start with 0.5–1 ml to define borders and add a soft cushion. The “Russian lip” or high-definition looks you see on Instagram often total 1.5–2 ml, but reputable injectors split that across two sessions to allow for swelling and to watch symmetry (you’ll pay per visit, not per technique). Remember: filler is billed per millilitre, so starting low and topping up four weeks later spreads both cost and downtime while keeping results natural. More product doesn’t automatically equal better lips—it only guarantees a bigger invoice.
Key Factors That Influence Lip Filler Prices
Why does your best friend in Manchester pay £180 for the same 1 ml that costs you £320 in Chelsea? Five variables drive the difference. Understanding them helps you decide whether a quote is fair—or a red flag.
Location & Clinic Overheads
Prime postcodes come with chunky rents, business rates and Care Quality Commission (CQC) registration fees. London, Brighton and parts of Surrey routinely add a 20–30 % markup compared with clinics in the Midlands or North. Travelling for a bargain can work, but factor in train fares and time off work.
Practitioner Qualifications & Reputation
You’ll see everyone from NVQ-level beauty therapists to consultant plastic surgeons offering fillers:
Non-medical injectors charge the least (£75–£150 per ml).
Nurses, dentists and doctors sit mid-range (£170–£350).
Highly published surgeons or aesthetic trainers often top £400.
Higher fees cover larger indemnity insurance premiums, continual professional development and, frankly, the peace of mind that comes with medical expertise.
Filler Brand & Longevity
Not all hyaluronic acid is equal. Juvederm Vycross, Restylane Kysse and Teosyal RHA use advanced cross-linking that lasts 9–12 months and costs clinics £55–£80 per syringe. Budget brands like Revolax are £25–£35 wholesale and fade sooner (6–8 months). The longer the shelf-life in your lips, the higher the price on the invoice.
Volume Purchased & Package Discounts
Most clinics operate on a sliding scale:
1 ml list price
2 ml package: ~10 % off
3 ml makeover bundle: ~15 % off
Split-session “Russian” builds rarely qualify for bulk savings because each visit still uses chair time and consumables.
Extras: Consultation, Aftercare & Top-Up Fees
Some clinics roll everything into one figure; others itemise:
Consultation: free or £25–£75 (often redeemable).
Aftercare kit: arnica gel, cold packs—usually included.
Review/top-up at 2–4 weeks: complimentary up to 0.2 ml or billed at the standard per-ml rate.
Always ask what’s included so the “headline” number doesn’t balloon later.
2025 Lip Filler Price Comparison: What UK Clinics Charge
Scrolling through Instagram ads is one thing—seeing the numbers side by side is what really tells you whether a quote is realistic. We pulled publicly advertised fees (January 2025) from a mix of London and regional providers so you can benchmark before booking.
Quick-View Table: Sample Clinic Prices
Clinic & City | 0.5 ml | 1 ml | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Wigmore Smiles & Aesthetics – Luton | £170 | £265 | Medical-led, free review visit |
The Academy Clinic – London | £75 | £95 | Training model slots; limited dates |
Doll House Aesthetics – Devon | £100 | n/a | Standard HA filler |
Aesthetics by Debbie – Derbyshire | £170 | £220 | Nurse prescriber |
SkinViva – Manchester | n/a | £269 | Upper-lip lines; premium 0.8 ml £350 |
Harley Street Dermal – London | n/a | from £149 | “From” price varies by brand |
Cosmedics Skin Clinics – London | n/a | from £420 | Juvederm Vycross only |
Serenity Aesthetics – Leeds | n/a | ~£250* | *Based on £499 for 2 ml package |
Prices include VAT where applicable but always confirm at booking.
London vs. Regional Cost Breakdown
Central London commands a £40–£120 per-ml uplift thanks to rent, CQC fees and higher indemnity insurance.
Large northern cities (Manchester, Leeds) sit around the UK median, while smaller towns in Wales, Scotland and the South-West often undercut London by up to 35 %.
Travel, time off work and follow-up visits can erase savings, so calculate the full door-to-door cost, not just the syringe price.
Beware of “Too Good to Be True” Deals
Wholesale hyaluronic acid runs £25–£70 per syringe; add clinic overheads and safe practice cannot profit at £60 a millilitre. Ultra-cheap pop-ups may:
use non-CE-marked filler,
skip medical history screening,
lack 24-hour complication cover.
If the price looks impossible, it probably is—walk away (with your lips intact).
What You Get for the Price: Appointment Cost Breakdown
When you look at the lip filler cost UK clinics advertise, remember you’re paying for far more than a syringe of gel. A safe, comfortable appointment is a miniature production involving skilled labour, medical supplies and after-care. Here’s where the money actually goes.
Consultation & Personalised Treatment Planning
Most reputable practices devote 15–30 minutes to pre-treatment chat. You’ll complete a medical questionnaire, discuss shape goals and review potential risks. Some clinics charge £25–£75 for this step, but many deduct it from the treatment fee when you go ahead.
Product Cost per ml & Consumables
The filler itself is the single biggest hard cost. Premium Juvederm or Restylane runs clinics £55–£80 wholesale. Add sterile needles or cannulas, lidocaine cream, gloves, PPE and sharps disposal and consumables swallow roughly 30 % of your final bill.
Injection Technique & Practitioner Time
The artistry happens chair-side. Layering, tenting or a Russian lift can take 15–25 minutes plus charting. Highly trained medical injectors bill their expertise like any professional service, which is why technique often eclipses product price.
Aftercare, Reviews & Emergency Support
Expect cooling packs, arnica tips and a direct helpline for 24-hour complications to be bundled in. A two-week review—sometimes including a micro top-up—usually comes free, protecting both your result and your wallet.
Financing & Savings: Making Lip Fillers More Affordable
A plumper pout doesn’t have to flatten your bank balance. Most clinics now offer flexible ways to soften the upfront hit of a lip filler appointment, so it pays to ask what’s available before you book.
0 % Finance & Pay-Monthly Plans
If your quote tops £250–£300 you’ll usually qualify for interest-free credit over three to twelve months. The clinic runs a soft credit check, sets up a direct debit and spreads the fee into equal bites. Watch for small admin charges (often £10–£25) and remember missed payments may attract late fees.
Bundle Deals & Annual Maintenance Packages
Regulars can shave 10–15 % off by purchasing 2 ml or signing up to a yearly “Lip Plan” that includes two top-ups and priority reviews. Up-front commitment lowers the price per millilitre because the clinic locks in your custom and can plan chair time efficiently.
Seasonal Promotions & Referral Discounts
January, late summer lull and Black Friday are prime times for flash sales on filler. Referral codes (bring a friend, save £25 each) sweeten the deal too—but avoid rushing a medical decision just to catch a deadline.
Combining Treatments Strategically
Cheek filler, “lip flip” toxin or skin boosters booked in the same visit share the anaesthetic, consumables and review slot, trimming overall cost. Just ensure the combined plan suits your face, not the clinic’s sales target.
How Long Do Lip Fillers Last and When Will You Need a Top-Up?
Hyaluronic acid is gradually broken down by your body, so even the best filler won’t stay forever. Knowing how long your result is likely to last helps you pencil future appointments—and their costs—into your calendar.
Average Longevity by Filler Type
Brand & Range | Typical Duration* |
---|---|
Juvederm Volbella / Vycross | 9–12 months |
Restylane Kysse | 6–9 months |
Revolax / other budget HA | 6–8 months |
*Based on 2025 clinical data and patient reports.
Lifestyle & Metabolic Factors
Your habits can speed up or slow down breakdown by as much as three months.
High-intensity cardio, smoking and sunbeds accelerate metabolism.
Frequent lip movement (wind instruments, straw drinking) also shortens life span.
Extend results by: SPF lip balm, staying hydrated, avoiding saunas for 48 h, and scheduling your review within the clinic’s recommended window.
Budgeting for Maintenance
Work backwards from durability to estimate annual spend:
1 ml premium filler twice a year ≈ £840 (£420 × 2).
0.5 ml top-up every four months ≈ £510 (£170 × 3).
Add these figures to your beauty budget so the next top-up doesn’t catch you—or your bank account—off-guard.
Safety, Regulation & Choosing a Reputable Practitioner
Snapping up the lowest lip filler cost UK clinics advertise is tempting, but safety should trump saving every time. Filler is a medical procedure with real vascular and infective risks, so the injector’s credentials and the clinic’s licence matter as much as the brand in the syringe. Keep these 2025 rules of thumb front of mind before you part with any cash.
Current UK Regulatory Landscape (2025 Update)
The Health & Care Act 2022 finally bites this year: England is rolling out a mandatory licence for all aesthetic injectors, with Welsh and Scottish equivalents expected by 2026. Clinics already providing medical aesthetics must also hold Care Quality Commission (CQC) registration if a prescriber works on-site. Insurers now insist on evidence of accredited training and complication management before they’ll cover practitioners, so ask to see both the licence and the insurance certificate.
Credentials & Questions to Ask at Consultation
Verify GMC, GDC or NMC registration numbers online.
Ask who prescribes emergency hyaluronidase and how it’s stored.
Request proof of indemnity cover and recent complication-handling CPD.
Insist on viewing sealed filler boxes with batch and CE marks before injection.
Red Flags of Cheap, Unsafe Offers
Walk away from any provider offering home visits, cash-only deals, no medical questionnaire, or a “pay in full before consultation” demand. Social-media-only businesses with no registered address or landline, and adverts promising 1 ml for less than wholesale cost, almost always cut corners on training, product, or after-care—sometimes all three. Your lips deserve better.
Lip Filler Treatment Step-by-Step: What to Expect on the Day
Knowing the running order calms pre-appointment nerves and helps you budget for any optional extras. Below is a whistle-stop guide to a typical 2025 session at a UK medical aesthetics clinic—from the night before to the moment you walk back out, ice pack in hand.
Preparing 24 h Before Your Appointment
Skip alcohol, aspirin, ibuprofen, vitamin E and fish-oil supplements; they thin the blood and worsen bruising.
Drink plenty of water and eat a light meal so low blood sugar doesn’t make you woozy.
Most clinics charge a late-cancel fee (often £50–£100) if you bail with less than 24 hours’ notice, so rebook promptly if you feel unwell.
During the Injection
Consent form and pre-treatment photos.
Numbing: topical lidocaine (included) or dental block (£20–£40 extra) for pain-sensitive patients.
Injection phase (15–30 min): your practitioner will combine techniques—linear threads, small boluses or Russian-style tenting—to sculpt shape and volume. Pain is typically 2–4/10; most discomfort comes from pressure, not the needle.
Immediate Aftercare & Downtime
Expect swelling and pinpoint redness straight away; bruising may peak on days 2–3. You’ll leave with:
Aftercare sheet plus arnica or aloe gel (usually free).
Optional anti-bruise LED session (£25–£40) if offered.
Advice to avoid makeup, saunas and vigorous exercise for 24 h. Normal social downtime is 24–48 hours, but plan big events a week out to be safe.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lip Filler Costs
Below are the quick-fire answers our clinicians give every week. If you still have questions, book a consultation and we’ll talk you through your options.
How much is 0.5 ml lip filler in the UK?
Expect to pay between £75 and £275, with most reputable medical clinics charging about £170. Location, brand and injector credentials explain the spread.
Is 1 ml enough for my first time and what does it cost?
For the majority of first-timers 1 ml achieves a balanced boost; fees range £95–£395. Start conservatively—top-ups are cheaper than dissolving excess overfill later.
How long do lip fillers last in the UK?
Hyaluronic acid fillers typically hold for 6–12 months; premium cross-linked gels sit at the upper end. Lifestyle factors like cardio and smoking shorten longevity.
Will the NHS cover lip fillers?
Purely cosmetic lip augmentation isn’t funded. NHS treatment is limited to reconstructive needs—cleft repair, trauma—so routine plumping is a 100 % private expense.
Does cheap filler mean lower quality?
Not always; introductory offers at reputable clinics can be safe. But prices under £100 per ml often signal unlicensed products or under-trained injectors—proceed carefully.
Next Steps
By now you know that 0.5 ml usually costs £75–£275, 1 ml hovers around £265, and anything priced under £100 per ml deserves a second look. Location, injector credentials, filler brand and after-care bundle are the levers that move the number up or down, so compare like-for-like quotes, add travel expenses to the tally and budget for a top-up every 6-12 months. Most importantly, pick a medically qualified practitioner with proper insurance and an emergency plan: saving £50 is never worth risking a vascular occlusion.
If you live in Luton or the surrounding area, our team at Wigmore Smiles & Aesthetics offers complimentary lip filler consultations. Book your slot today via our booking page and get advice on volume and finance options.