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Getting Lip Fillers: Things to Consider, What to Expect, and More
Gone are the days when cosmetic enhancements were considered taboo. Now, celebrities and beauty gurus are flaunting fillers and Botox as part of their regular beauty routine.
Getting full, plumper lips is easier than ever. If you’re considering getting your lips done, lip fillers are a great way to start. They’re essentially non-permanent (they dissolve at around 12-18 months according to Cleveland Clinic), so if you decide you don’t want them anymore, you won’t have to live with them forever. On the other hand, they are pretty easy to add into your every-few-months beauty regimen if you want to maintain them.
In this blog, we want to demystify the world of lip fillers because getting them is nothing to be ashamed of! It’s also a procedure that still requires the hands of a certified professional and we want to help you prepare as much as you can for the best lip filler results.
Interested to learn more? Keep reading to find out all you need to know about lip fillers.
What are lip fillers?
Lip fillers are one of the most common dermal fillers available. They are used to add volume to the lips and fix asymmetry, as well as reduce the appearance of aging around the lips.
There are two main types of filler, but the most commonly used and favored by doctors consists of a synthetic type of hyaluronic acid — a natural substance in our body responsible for keeping our skin barrier healthy. Contrary to popular belief, a filler is only semi-permanent. Lip fillers last around 6-8 months depending on your body’s metabolism.
Board-certified dermatologist Macrene Alexiades explains how the ingredient works: “Generally speaking, dermal fillers fall into two main categories: hyaluronic acid filler, which is most commonly used for lip injections, and biostimulators,” she stated in an Allure article on lip fillers.
“When hyaluronic acid fillers are injected into the lips, they immediately work to attract water, which in turn, adds volume to the region where it was injected to give a fuller appearance.”
Hyaluronic acid is also reversible and buildable, which makes for a less scary lip filler experience for many people who don’t want to risk getting a botched surgery.
Why do people use lip fillers?
Fillers can help give people the appearance of fuller lips without the hassle of a complicated procedure. Often, lip fillers are used to mask aging lips, add more volume to naturally thin lips, or even out asymmetrical lips.
A client can choose to get filler on their upper lip only, others only on their lower lip. Deciding to get lip fillers is a very personal choice, so each individual’s reason behind getting them will be unique to themselves, but the biggest function of these dermal fillers is aesthetic enhancement.
Other benefits of getting lip filler include:
- You can customize the amount and placement depending on your desired appearance.
- Lip filler is non-permanent.
- It reduces the appearance of fine lines on the lips and around the mouth.
Are lip fillers safe?
Lip fillers are completely safe, as long as the procedure is performed by a board-certified professional — aka a surgeon or dermatologist — at an established clinic. Many salons and beauty spas also offer lip injections, but it’s best to avoid them altogether to avoid any complications. The treatment should be safe and hassle-free since it’s noninvasive.
The filler material is also safe since hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance in our body and most doctors recommend HA filler.
However, there are real risks to getting lip filler. These include:
- Bruising on the lips
- Prolonged swelling
- Uneven or asymmetrical lips
- Lip filler bumps
- Vascular compromise and tissue death
The last one — which is probably the scariest-sounding risk — is a serious complication that happens when a labial artery is injected. This often happens with inexperienced injectors, which is another reason you should get lip fillers from a board-certified plastic surgeon or dermatologist if you want a safe operation.
How much does lip filler cost?
The cost of filler will likely vary with the clinic but expect a price between Php 15,000 to Php 25,000 per syringe. How many injections you will need shall depend on the desired appearance, so it’s best to prepare beforehand what look you’re going for and discuss it with your doctor. More on that in the next section.
What should you do before getting lip fillers?
Getting lip filler injections can seem daunting at first, but there are plenty of ways you can prepare. Let’s go over some of the most important points that experts have recommended and a few from other people’s experiences.
1. Get Your Ideal Look Down
First thing is to do your research. No, not the boring kind — but the fun, mood board-type kind that helps you establish a clear mental (or real) image of what you want your lips to look like. Are you trying to make your upper lip appear bigger than the bottom? Or do you just want plump, Kylie Jenner-esque lips on both sides?
Knowing what your aesthetic goals are can help avoid mismatched expectations and overall give you better results. This will also help your doctor determine how much filler is necessary to get you your desired lips.
The next step is to then do actual research about the clinics in your area. Look for one that has given clients similar results as your ideal look or which one has great reviews in general.
2. Schedule a Consultation First
Ideally, before you even book an appointment for the fillers, you should be able to talk with a board-certified cosmetic surgeon or dermatologist to discuss if lip fillers are the right choice for you. In some cases, doctors will recommend an alternative better suited for your particular situation. Communication is key — it’s how you avoid unsatisfactory results.
Some clinics allow same-day treatment, but we suggest just booking a separate session for the actual lip filler procedure so you can prepare accordingly. There are a few things to take into account pre-lip augmentation — you’ll have to avoid alcohol, pain-thinning medications, and a number of skincare products prior to the treatment.
3. Avoid Meds, Supplements, and Products With Active Ingredients
Got your lip filler appointment ready? The next thing to keep in mind is what you should avoid. About a week before, make sure to avoid blood thinners (aspirin, Ibuprofen, painkillers, etc.) and herbal supplements (garlic, ginkgo Biloba, Vitamin E, fish oil, etc.)
Two days prior, you should stop applying active ingredients on your skin, like tretinoin, retinoids, chemical exfoliants, and any such products that may cause irritation or peeling. A good rule of thumb is to ditch any anti-aging products as these will likely have a host of active ingredients. Weiler Plastic Surgery also recommends applying topical arnica on the lips to reduce bruising after the session.
4. Communicate With Your Doctor
Our last prep tip is to continue open and honest communication with your surgeon or dermatologist beforehand. This will ensure that you and your doctor are both on the same page; that there is a mutual understanding about what the end result will look like and how it’s going to be achieved.
How painful is getting lip fillers?
You might be wondering, “Do lip fillers hurt?” A lip filler procedure is noninvasive, so it’s generally less painful than you would expect other surgeries to be. But it all boils down to how tolerant your body is to pain. Someone with high pain tolerance may not feel a thing, while those who are more sensitive or have a fear of needles might want to manage their expectations.
Most people describe the feeling of lip injection as similar to regular injections. It’s more of a quick pinch than a sustaining blunt pain. Nonetheless, your doctor will prescribe a topical numbing cream or topical anesthetic before the injection, so you shouldn’t worry too much.
The Lip Filler Procedure: What to Expect
A lip filler injection procedure lasts about 30 minutes. The doctor will start by cleaning on and around the lip area with a gentle cleanser or alcohol. A local anesthetic is then applied to the injection sites.
Then, the doctor will use a syringe containing lip filler and inject it onto the specific part of the lip that needs more volume. This will depend on the client’s desired appearance as well as their facial anatomy.
Once the lip filler is injected, the lips are then softly massaged in order to prevent lumpiness.
“Filler is injected with a tiny needle into the areas that need volume, and the material is massaged gently to prevent the formation of lumps,” explains Nina Naidu, M.D., to Byrdie magazine. “The amount of filler depends upon the patient’s anatomy as well as their goals. We never inject more than one milliliter of filler during a given session.”
What are the side effects of lip augmentation?
After you get your lip injections, your lips will go through some bruising and swelling on the injection site. This could last anywhere from three days to two weeks.
Post-Procedure Aftercare
Since you’ve just introduced something foreign into your body, there will naturally be a few side effects after the procedure. These are completely normal! Here are a few ways you can make that downtime more comfortable:
- The first few days after the procedure, your lips will start to experience swelling and bruising. Try applying an ice pack or topical creams like arnica and bromelain to reduce swelling.
- Avoid exercise and makeup for at least 24 hours so your body has time to rest and recover.
- Be patient. You likely won’t see the results a few days or even a week after your lip filler injection. Give it two weeks for the swelling and bruising to subside, then you can assess the final look.
How long do lip fillers usually last?
Hyaluronic acid-based lip fillers usually last around 6 to 18 months depending on how much you had during your treatment and how fast your metabolism is.
Can I get multiple lip filler injections in one appointment?
If it’s your first time getting lip fillers, then you’re not likely to get more than one syringe. Most experts believe that gradual plumping is the best way to go if you feel like one session won’t be enough. Make sure to discuss this at your doctor’s office so you can set a timeline for when you can get more filler injected.
What happens if I hate the results?
One of the reasons people are hesitant to undergo treatment of any kind is the possibility that they won’t actually like the results of the treatment. Fortunately, getting your lips injected with filler is usually reversible.
If you aren’t happy with how your lips look after the treatment, and you’ve applied ice packs and waited it out and are sure it isn’t just recovery bruising making your lip area look a little odd, then you have three options.
The first is to reverse the treatment by having the filler dissolved. You’ll be injected with hyaluronidase, which will dissolve some of the filler.
The second option is to wait it out. Most, if not all, of your filler should dissolve after a few months, so whether your upper lip looks a bit uncomfortable or you’re just not vibing with the overall look, then you can simply wait for it to dissolve on its own.
The third option is to get another treatment done. If you think this will help balance out your look, then go for it.
Final Note
As with any cosmetic procedure, always make sure to do your research beforehand so you avoid any complications. Younger patients, especially, should consult with a trusted professional and guardian before committing to any treatments.
Got any more questions? Don’t hesitate to comment below!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you feel lip fillers when kissing?
The answer to this is pretty inconclusive — some will say that a small amount of filler isn’t noticeable at all, while others claim that the filler can feel unnatural during a heavy makeout sesh. Dr. Angela Sturm says kissing will feel natural after about a week when most of the swelling has gone down. However, she also notes that the more pressing concern is potential infection during the first two days, so it’s best to avoid any kissing at all during that period.
What are dermal fillers?
These are gel-like substances injected underneath the skin to add or restore volume and plumpness. Dermal filler is noninvasive and nonsurgical, but should still be performed by certified plastic surgeons or dermatologists for best results.
