What are lip fillers?
Injecting the lips with dermal fillers is a very popular cosmetic procedure. These fillers can volumize, shape, balance, lift mouth corners, enhance the Cupid's bow, augment the lip border, and smooth lip lines. Different fillers are used for different lip procedures, each made from a diverse range of materials. However, dissolvable fillers have become the top choice for lip injections.
When treated by a qualified health professional skilled in injection methods, lip fillers can result in either delicately natural or striking changes, depending on your features and preferences.
The specific filler utilized is dependent on both your desired outcome and the provider’s recommendation. Top options generally include brands manufactured by Galderma and Allergan, either used on their own or combined for specific outcomes.
Unfortunately, the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) does not permit the open discussion of dermal filler brands or active ingredients. Consult a doctor on which brand is best for your specific needs.
- Allergan Filler 1: Recognized for its ability to subtly enhance lip volume, creating a soft, cushioned effect.
- Allergan Filler 2: Along with increasing volume, this formulation also smooths vertical lip wrinkles for up to a year.
- Galderma Filler 1: This tried-and-true formula uniformly volumizes the lips.
- Galderma Filler 2: Containing smaller hyaluronic acid molecules, Restylane Silk delivers fine enhancements and lasts approximately six months.
- Galderma Filler 3: The newest TGA-approved dissolvable filler plumps lips and diminishes lines along the lip border, sometimes referred to as smoker's lines. It can last up to 1 year and contains lidocaine to alleviate discomfort during treatment, making it a popular choice for many.
Melon Hint: Some providers may suggest liquid silicone fillers which are not TGA-approved for aesthetic use. It provides permanent results, presenting a cheaper alternative to temporary fillers. However, silicone poses a risk of severe side effects, including tissue necrosis, if mistakenly injected into a blood vessel. Silicone fillers are non-dissolvable, meaning their effects are permanent and difficult to reverse, and there have been reports of the filler migrating beneath the lip line over time. Due to these potential issues, many doctors advise using dissolvable fillers instead.
Find providers and clinics that offer Lip Fillers
What are the pros & cons of getting lip filler?
Advantages
- Lip augmentation via fillers is a minor cosmetic treatment with virtually no downtime.
- An immediate lip fullness is observed, and the total effects are evident within 3 days after the swelling subsides.
- If a patient is dissatisfied with the results or experiences complications, the effect of dissolvable fillers can be reversed using the enzyme hyaluronidase.
- The availability of a wide range of lip fillers allows skilled providers to tailor each patient's treatment to their desired outcomes.
Disadvantages
- The results are not permanent. To maintain the desired look, touch-ups are necessary every couple of months, which can become expensive.
- The treatment may induce cold sores, especially in individuals already susceptible to them.
- There's a chance that an injector might overfill the lips or that lumps could develop after injection. However, any excessive volume can be rectified using hyaluronidase if dissolvable fillers were used.
- While rare, more severe complications such as infection, tissue necrosis from accidental blood vessel injection, or scarring can occur. To minimize these risks, stay away from permanent solutions like silicone filler.
Melon Hint: If you're happy with the results and are seeking a longer-lasting solution, minor surgical procedures such as lip implants or a lip lift can provide enduring shape and size.
How much do lip fillers cost?
Average Cost: $450
Range: $320 - $1,600
The price of your lip filler treatment hinges on several factors, including the specific filler used, the expertise of your provider, their geographical location, and the amount of filler used. Usually, less than a single syringe is used for first-time treatments, although this can vary depending on your aesthetic objectives.
Our guide to dermal filler costs
Consider utilizing Buy Now Pay Later services like AfterPay to finance treatment.
Interested in lip fillers? Find a provider near you
What happens when you get lip filler injections?
Begin preparations for your lip injection about 10 days beforehand by foregoing blood thinners like vitamin E, fish oil, ibuprofen, and alcohol. This will minimise potential side effects such as bruising and swelling.
The lip injection process typically starts with your provider putting numbing cream on your lips. They will then inject the filler using a small needle to increase volume or definition. Dermal fillers can give an immediate plumping effect, contour, and detail.
Following the injection, your provider will softly massage your upper and lower lips to discourage lump formation. The entire process. end to end, takes approximately half an hour.
How soon can you see lip filler results?
After injection, the filler provides immediate lip enhancement and refinement.
Expect swelling (potentially substantial) following the injections, you may notice overly plump or "duck lips" for the initial 1 to 2 days. The actual results can be seen around 3 days post-procedure after the swelling subsides.
How long do lip filler injections last?
The longevity of results can vary from 3 to 12 months, depending on the specific filler chosen. The pace at which the lip filler decreases also relies on how your body processes the material, with some individuals absorbing the filler more rapidly.
To preserve the voluminous appearance of your lips, regular follow-up appointments are necessary, generally around every 4 to 6 months
More information on filler longevity
Can filler injections ruin your lips?
Lip fillers, when done correctly by a qualified provider, are deemed safe. However, be mindful of potential side effects before proceeding with the treatment, these include tenderness and minor bruising.
As stated earlier, severe side effects, though rare, can include allergic reaction, scarring, infection, or potential tissue necrosis if the filler is mistakenly injected into a blood vessel and not promptly dissolved. Hence, it is crucial to ensure your provider is a certified health professional trained to manage any complications.
Should you notice severe pain or a significant change in skin colour after your appointment, reach out to your provider immediately.
Melon Hint: There is a common misunderstanding that fillers might stretch your lips and leave them misshapen. However, with dissolvable fillers, this is not the case. Given the elasticity of your skin, it won't stretch to a degree where it loses its tautness. As your body naturally metabolizes the filler, your lips will gently revert to their original shape.
See our guide to filler side effects
Are lip injections painful?
The lips are recognized as one of the most sensitive parts of the body, implying that injections here might induce a bit more discomfort. Providers commonly apply a topical anesthetic cream before injecting the filler, making the procedure more tolerable. Moreover, many dissolvable fillers are formulated with lidocaine, which also helps alleviate pain.
Patients should anticipate a few days of tenderness post-procedure, but the application of an ice pack can help soothe any pain or swelling.
