Lip Fillers

Full, plump, symmetrical lips are a sign of youthfulness. But just like the rest of the body (and face), the hands of time cause the lips to lose definition, volume, and shape.

To counteract those effects, lip augmentation using hyaluronic acid fillers can instantly add volume and enhance the shape to create the most flattering lips for your face.

Lip fillers are a popular treatment that nearly anyone can benefit from. Their quick boost offers immediate temporary results. Lip fillers remain one of the most popular age-reversing treatments.

And if you stop to think about how a few filler injections can plump up limp lips and better define the face as a whole, lip filler is the best-kept secret for restoring fullness and shape to the lips!

Full, plump, symmetrical lips are a sign of youthfulness. But just like the rest of the body (and face), the hands of time cause the lips to lose definition, volume, and shape. To counteract those effects, lip augmentation using hyaluronic acid fillers can instantly add volume and enhance the shape to create the most flattering lips for your face.

How the Lips Change

Like other parts of the face, the lips aren’t immune to aging.

With time, the volume in the lips decreases, leaving once-full-looking lips appearing thin and long. It’s also normal for the lips to be accompanied by wrinkling around them, which can cause lip makeup to blur and bleed. Unfortunately, no one is immune to aging lips; some see its effects stronger than others. Some of the most commonly complained about lip related issues include:

Lip lines can develop vertically on the lips and sometimes extend past the lip border. Genetics plays a role in forming lip lines, as do habits like smoking, drinking through a straw, pursing the lips, and sun exposure.
Thin lips can develop from a lack of collagen and elastin, which are responsible for plump skin. As collagen production decreases, there's less natural fullness to the kips.

Asymmetrical lips can become more apparent with time due to the natural progression of how the lips age. Some parts of the lips may have always been uneven, but these disproportionate areas can become more noticeable with a lack of fullness.

What are Lip Fillers?

Technically known as lip injections or lip filler, this quick, non-permanent procedure relies on hyaluronic acid injectables to add volume, shape, and definition to the lips.

Even though multiple fillers are available for the lips, hyaluronic acid is the most commonly used type for achieving fuller-looking lips.

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally-occurring substance within the body used often in skincare products and injectable fillers because it helps the skin retain moisture for a plumping effect with little risk or downside. When filling the lips, only hyaluronic acid fillers should be used. Other fillers can be too thick for the lips; some are not a clear gel and can be seen through the lips. In addition, the spreadability of the fillers is vital so that lumps and bumps don’t appear.

Lip fillers, a commonly requested treatment, are the go-to for plumping, enhancing, and contouring the lips for added shape and volume, but they’re also a good way to test drive what a more permanent lip procedure may look like. And, if you don’t like what’s looking back at you in the mirror, you can reverse the results of your lip filler with hyaluronidase.

Some people call hyaluronic acid-based lip fillers magical since the injections instantly improve thin, deflated-looking lips. The overall effects of lip filler can rejuvenate and redefine the face as a whole for better balance and a more youthful appearance. Different dermal fillers, including those in the Restylane and Juvederm families, are comprised of hyaluronic acid, making them ideal for injecting into the lips and creating natural-looking results that last for months.

Lip injections increase volume, definition, and shape. They are also helpful for correcting asymmetries in uneven lips, lifting the corners of the mouth, and even smoothing out lip wrinkles, which unfortunately become more prominent with time.

The relatively quick treatment lasts six to 12 months, depending on the filler injected. One of lip fillers’ most considerable benefits is their minimal downtime yet dramatic improvement to the smile, lips, and face overall.

How do Lip Fillers Work?

Lip fillers contain synthetic hyaluronic acid, which attracts water when injected into the lips for an immediate volumizing and plumping effect.

When injected into the lips with either a needle or cannula, synthetic hyaluronic acid gel instantly plumps the lips by smoothing out lines and volumizing any hollowness or disproportions. In addition, some data proves that hyaluronic acid injection results in a natural collagen product, giving way to more plumpness in the lips.

Using a small needle to inject the filler into the lips allows them to be ‘sculpted’ to fit your face best. Afterward, some patients may experience mild swelling or bruising that typically subsides in a few days. Injecting the filler directly into specific parts of the lips provides instant volume, lasting up to six months.

Hyaluronic acid draws water to the lips, giving the filler plumping and volumizing effects. As a side benefit, the water pulled into the lips also helps soften the skin to smooth out any lip lines and wrinkles while adding moisture.

Adding volume is easy, but precision and craftsmanship come into play in creating a natural-looking, balanced, and aesthetically pleasing shape. The current shape, volume, and border of your lips must be considered to create a flattering result. Also, the ratio of the lips to other features should be assessed so that your new lips best fit your face. The nice thing about lip fillers is that the wide variety of dermal filler products allows for every person’s lips and aesthetic goals to be tailored to, no matter what they will best benefit from.

Special techniques, like the Russian lip technique, can be used to achieve the desired result. Russian lips create more volume in the center of the lips instead of equal volume throughout. As a result, the lip appears more lifted and elevated. Injecting the filler vertically at the base of the lip and then working out towards the lip border instead of doing the opposite allows the focus to be created on lifting the center portion of the lips.

No matter the technique used to inject your lips, the results are often temporary—about six months or so—with minimal side effects. Still, most patients love their new lips so much that they are happy to maintain the results with repeat treatments as needed.

Who is an Ideal Candidate?

Many people benefit from lip filler if they are healthy, don’t smoke, and don’t want to commit to a surgical lip procedure.

However, if changes to your lips, or their natural shape, are bothersome, you may be a candidate for lip filler. Most people who opt for lip filler have one of the following symptoms:

What are the Benefits of Lip Injections?

Lip fillers are synonymous with adding volume to the lips and creating a better balance. One of the main benefits of lip filler is that the procedure is quick, painless, immediate, and affordable.

Younger patients tend to see out lip fillers for more augmentative purposes, while older people like how lip fillers can restore the look of their lips, making them appear more youthful.

But there are additional benefits to the treatment, such as:

Evening out asymmetrical lips
Plump up thin lips
Adding natural fullness to the lips
A reduction in the appearance of fine lines on and around the lips
Customized results
Temporary results

Most patients appreciate the temporary aspect of lip fillers. The treatment can easily be repeated if you need to build upon the volume or shape or for maintenance purposes. Plus, over time, the results begin to wear away, making it a low-commitment procedure compared to more invasive surgical solutions like lip lifts and lip implants, often which are not reversible.

The Lip Filler Injection Experience

Lip injections are a straightforward treatment that’s performed relatively quickly. After a consultation to discuss your lip goals, the technique and filler will be chosen. Different fillers offer different results, so it’s important to be communicative with your injector.

The lips are sensitive, and some patients say there can be some discomfort, so topical numbing cream is always applied before the injections to make the treatment more comfortable. Even though dermal fillers are formulated with lidocaine, the lips are always numbed first.

Topical anesthetic cream is easy to apply, but some patients may require a

dental block to numb their lips thoroughly. Other numbing tricks and tips include icing the lips and using a special vibrating tool to distract the pain receptors.

Different needles can create other desired effects. Blunt tip cannulas, for example, can be gentler on the lips and are often preferred for shaping benefits.

Post injection, it’s normal to see some swelling and bruising, lasting anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. Make sure you don’t book your lip injection appointment before any important events.

How Much Do Lip Fillers Cost?

Every provider charges independently for lip filler, and there are differences between the various types of hyaluronic acid fillers that can be used.

For example, the amount of filler injected and the number of sessions needed to obtain your desired results influence the overall cost.

To determine the cost of your treatment, call our office to schedule a consultation where we will put a custom program together to correct your concerns.

The Results

Immediately following the procedure, you’ll see fuller, more shapely lips. But what you see at first may differ from what you end up with since the lips will appear swollen after injection.

It can take a week or more for the final results to take shape and for the lips to settle into their final position and fullness. So it’s best to let the lips naturally settle and wait two weeks before assessing the final results.

The results of most lip filler treatments, which appear naturally soft and compliment the face, last about six months or longer, give or take. So, if you want to keep up the look of your lip filler, you’ll need to maintain the results with regular treatments. Some people notice that the more frequently their

lips are injected, the longer the results start to last, which is believed to occur from a buildup of scar tissue within the lips.

The lips are an area of functionality and mobility, and constantly talking, speaking, pursing our lips, and other facial movements can cause the filler to dissipate fast. Also, the type of filler injected and the amount can affect the results, too. Usually, the more filler injected, the longer the results can last, but it’s a case-by-case basis.

Unfortunately, some patients don’t love the results of their new lips as much as they had hoped. When that’s the case, temporary hyaluronic acid fillers can easily be reversed with a special injectable enzyme that essentially dissolves the filler. It’s best to wait a few weeks after the initial injections to dissolve the filler and allow residual swelling to subside entirely.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do to prepare for my lip injections?

To prep for lip injections, you’ll need to drink plenty of water before the procedure, avoid taking NSAID medications and not consume any alcohol for 48 hours before. However, we highly recommend a consultation first to understand what you can realistically achieve and the best filler and technique for you. Different faces, structures, and lip shapes will determine the most natural-looking volume needed.

What are the aftercare tips I need to follow post-injection?

Following the appropriate aftercare instructions is vital in achieving healthy healing and optimal results. We recommend lip filler patients avoid applying any lipstick, lip liner, lip gloss, or lip oil to the lips for at least 12 hours or more. You can use a healing ointment like Aquaphor or a basic lip balm to alleviate post-filler dryness.

Sleeping with your head elevated and flat instead of on your side is best to help decrease swelling. You can also take arnica supplements to help reduce any bruising and swelling. However, you’ll want to avoid consuming alcohol, aspirin, or ibuprofen for at least 24 hours if any bruising occurs. Also, avoid massaging the lips or applying firm pressure to them for at least one week.

Are there any potential side effects?

All elective cosmetic procedures have potential side effects, lip filler included. Although the risks with the procedure are small and the chance of a severe side effect is rare, it’s still important to be aware of them. More serious complications that can potentially arise include:

● Compressed blood vessels
● Strain or stress on the lip tissue
● Stretching out of the lip
● Filler migration

Minor swelling and bruising are lip filler’s most common side effects, which you can treat with arnica, bromelain, vitamin K, and ice. Some patients experience bruising and swelling for a few days, while others may experience it for up to two weeks. Other commonly reported side effects can include unevenness, lumpiness, and small bumps resulting from injecting the filler too superficially (they can be dissolved).

What can I do if I don't like how my lips look with filler?

Lip filler can be dissolved with a special injectable enzyme known as hyaluronidase, which restores the lips to baseline by breaking down hyaluronic acid.

Are you Ready to Experience the AFL Beauty Bar Difference?

If you’re ready to get fuller, more luscious-looking lips, there’s no better time to book a consultation with AFL Beauty Bar. A one-on-one consultation with our experienced, certified team of skin experts will determine the best lip filler treatment for you. We can customize a unique package specific to your needs to achieve the best results possible. Click the button below to schedule a consultation or book your lip filler appointment today!