Lip injections are a type of non surgical procedure to increase lip fullness through enlargement using fillers. Hyaluronic acid ist the filler to choose for a sound treatment.
If you are considering lip fillers but are not sure where to start or have you doubts, we created this comprehensive Ultimate Guide to Lip Fillers to answer all of the lip filler questions and common concerns
What are the different types of Lip Filler?
Since time immemorial beautifully shaped lips with sufficient volume are a symbol of attractiveness and femininity. Nowadays lip fillers usually mean the process of rejuvenating the lips with hyaluronic acid (HA) a cosmetic procedure that gives the lips more shape, structure and volume, while removing small wrinkles around the lips.
There are many types of dermal fillers that can be injected in your lips but HA are the most common. Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance found in the body, so when added to the lips thanks in part to its ability to attract and retain moisture, it has a volumizing effect.
Collagen, once the most common dermal filler, is no longer in fashion. The newer hyaluronic acid fillers are safer and longer lasting.
Fat injections and implants are also options. However results vary and there is a greater risk of side effects with these methods, making them far less popular option.
Most well known fillers, Restylane silk, Kysse, Juvederm Volbella, Belotero Lips and Vollure consist primarily of hyaluronic acid (HA).
Products like Restylane Silk and Belotero are used for both lip augmentation and lip lines. Products such as Juvederm Ultra XC and Juvederm Volbella XC help with the vertical lines above the lip while adding a slight plump to the lips.
Benefits of Hyaluronic Acid Fillers
Once injected, the gel in the filler supports and shapes the tissues of the lips.
The benefits of using hyaluronic acid fillers include:
- Control over lip volume. The amount of substance injected can be controlled, so the doctor has better control over how much volume is created. That´s why many doctors are starting with less material – less is sometimes more. The big advanatge of HA is: it can be dissolved again by the enzyme hyaluronidase. This also applies to complications. It is very easy to manage.
- Gradual pace of treatment. The injections can be given gradually during different appointments until the desired results are achieved.
Less bruising. Because HA by uses a blunt cannula instead of a sharp needle there may be less bruising and swelling compared to other dermal fillers. - Reasonably lasting results. The results are reasonably long-lasting, but not permanent.
Allergic reaction unlikely. Because acid Hyaluronic acid occurs naturally in our body and is synthetically modeled for injection these fillers are unlikely to cause an allergic reaction . But if you are allergic to lidocaine, tell your doctor before being treated. because many lip products are now provided with lidocaine, a local anesthetic that makes the treatment more painless. However there are some products available without the addition of lidocaine
What to Expect During Your Lip Treatment Procedure
Injectable lip filler procedures are minimally invasive and can be performed in just a few minutes in your doctor’s office.
Fat injection is the exception, since the procedure requires a small area of liposuction to remove the fat from another part of your body before the injection can take place.
Step 1 – Cleansing & anesthetizing
The injection sites will be cleansed with an antibacterial agent.
Before the injection, a topical or local numbing agent may be applied to ease discomfort. Occasionally, nerve block injections are given to completely numb the lips. Think of it like an aesthetic you get at the dentist to numb your mouth.
Step 2 – The injection
Injection usually takes only a few minutes. Your health care provider uses either a cannules or a very fine needle to inject the substance into your lips.
Step 3 – Recovery
Although the area may feel a bit tender for a day or two, it is usually not painful enough to require any medication. Ice packs directly after are not recommended, but after a few hours it’s okay.
Although you will see results of your lip filler immediately after treatment, the full effect will gradually improve in the following two weeks as the filler settles. a swelling for about two or three days and also bruising is normal. If the bruising is very dark you have to consult the doctor again. Possibly there was a vascular occlusion.This leads to tissue necrosis and should be treated immediately.
After you have healed, your lips should feel as well as look, natural.
Tips for speedy recovery form lip filler procedure
- Continue to apply ice to your lips afterward using an ice pack or an ice cube covered in cloth (so it doesn’t stick to the lip and cause pain). This will help ease swelling, itching, bruising, and any other pain.
- Take it easy for 24 to 48 hours after you get lip or any other dermal fillers. Light activity like walking is fine but elevated blood pressure and heart rate from strenous exercise may make swelling or bruising worse.
- Hydrate! Make sure to drink plenty of water and eat plenty of hydrating fruits and vegetables to help your body heal. Avoiding too much sodium will also help with the swelling.
- Keep cool. Avoid direct sunlight and extreme temperatures for a couple of days after treatment as these can negatively impact your results. High temperatures won’t help with the swelling.
- Ask your doctor which painkillers are OK to take in the days after your treatment. Normally, Paracelemol, Ibruproffen or Tylenol will be fine, but avoid blood-thinning medications like Asprin.
- Try to sleep with your head elevated on pillows to reduce swelling. Do not sleep on your face.
- Avoid Lipstick or other lip products immediately after the procedure on your lips and for up to 24
What's the difference between lip fillers and lip flips?
The simple answer: lip flips don’t involve filler. Instead of Juvederm or Restylane, the lips are injected with small amounts of neurotoxin (like Botox or Dysport) to relax the muscle around the lips. This causes the lip to protrude – in other words the ‘flip’ effect. Think of it like this: filler is perfect if you want volume, while a Botox lip flip can great for those with thinner lips looking for a lip enhancement but not necessarily volume effect.
How much are lip fillers?
The cost of lip injections varies depending on the:
- Type of injection
- Doctor’s experience
- Where you live
Fillers are usually priced per millimeter of filler injected. The cost will depend on how much material is required.
Most people don’t need more than one syringe… And sometimes you don’t need the whole syringe and this material can be stored for next injection (in a refrigerator at doctor´s office).
Costs start around €250 and you’ll likely need to top up every six to nine months. Usually and expensive lip injection is about 500/600 euros, because it is not possible or serious to inject a big amount of material within one session. Why such a big range? The price depends on the type of filler, the amount of filler you get, the region you live in, and the physician you see.
The adage, cheap is expensive is true when it comes to fillers. The risks – infection, rejection, distortion, etc. are not worth any small saving from scrimping or choosing a less experienced Doctor.
In general lip injection and implant costs can vary from region to region and city to city:
| Country | Average Lip Injection costs |
| Germany | €200 to €2,615 (600 |
| UK | €300 to €800 |
| Turkey | €1400 |
| Hungary | €300 to €600 |
| Poland | €200 to €600 |
| Romania | €300 to €1600 |
| Spain | €300 to €500 |
| US | $500 and $2,000 |
Health insurance plans typically won’t cover cosmetic surgery or complications associated with lip procedures. So before your procedure, make sure you understand all the costs and ask if your doctor offers a payment plan.
Caarisma can help you determine costs forecast the price of a lip procedure based on your total face analysis.
Is a lip treatment right for you?
As we age, our lips change too. Small creases form and ensure that the lipstick, for example, runs off. Here, the surface of the hyaluronic acid is mainly injected along the edge of the red lip and thus smooths the small wrinkles. The injection is made through injection points at the corner of the mouth. The cannula is then moved back and forth, continuously releasing the thin hyaluronic acid, until the wrinkles disappear.
Modern HA preparations ensure that the hyaluronic acid breaks down more slowly than usual. In addition, most products are now provided with lidocaine, a local anesthetic, which makes the treatment almost painless for the patient. Only the prick at the beginning of the treatment is noticeable, as the lidocaine takes effect immediately.
The first question you must ask yourself why you want to modify your lips. Have you analyzed your total facial structure and identified an objective need? Is it to improve your confidence, improve a lip deformity? Or to please someone else? To emulate a celebrity?
It’s important to know your motivation before going ahead with the procedure.
It is equally important to have realistic expectations about the outcome. A Lip procedure can make your lips plumper and fuller, but i cannot change your genetic lip form – just as it cannot make life better or more meaningful.
Choose a doctor who will take some time to discuss with you the pros and cons of your lip treatment options and help you decide which technique or product is best for you.
Lip injections can be risky for people who:
- Are in poor health or who smoke
- An active infection such as oral herpes Diabetes Lupus Blood
- Have ever had a cold sore (oral herpes) any time in the past (in this case, as with
- Permanent Make up, you can take preventive medication)
- Have any known allergies or are allergic to lidocaine.
If you’re allergic to local anesthetics like lidocaine, probably you should not consider lip injections. Some people react badly to the skin test that patients must take before receiving collagen.
Other people who should avoid lip procedures include those who have active skin conditions like clotting infections, scarring of the lips or certain diseases like lupus that cause slower healing. Patients with facial nerve hypertension should also forgo lip augmentation.
If any of these issues apply, tell your doctor before undergoing the procedure. Also, tell your doctor about any medications you are taking, including prescription and over-the-counter drugs and herbal supplements
Finding the right aesthetic doctor
Specialists who can perform lip injections, include:
- A facial plastic surgeon
- Dermatologists
- Cosmetic surgeons
The most important thing is to find a surgeon who is qualified and experienced in giving injections and one whom you trust.
Don’t go to just a not to go to a beautician, because the anatomy in the perioral area is very special and requires precise specialist knowledge. Lip augmentation poses real risks, especially if the person giving the injection is inexperienced.
Do your homework. When making a decision about which doctor to use, ask about the doctor’s training and education. How many injections have they given? Are they board certified or a member of their specialty’s medical association?
Also, ask to see before-and-after photographs of patients the doctor has treated. Are you happy with the results? If you aren’t, consider getting a second opinion.
Be sure that during the initial consultation, the doctor evaluates your full face, not only your lips.
Or let us match you with the right doctor. With Caarisma, you can get an AI backed facial analysis, book a consultation online, make informed choices with verified reviews, and manage your lip enhancement appointments with tailored reminders.
How long do lip injections last?
How long lip fillers last depends on how much a you get, your metabolism, your desired volume, and product used and more. However you can usually expect anywhere from six months to one year, on average. But there is no one size fits all. If you use a hyaluronic acid filler, the filler will dissolve in a matter of months. Which ever option you choose, for some people a top off is needed after about six months, while for others the effects last longer..
Side Effects and Risks
Side effects of hyaluronic acid lip fillers are temporary and mild and should only last a few days. Here’s what to expect:
- Bleeding from the injection sites
- Swelling and bruising
- Redness and tenderness at the site of the injection
- Reactivation of cold sores or fever blisters (herpes simplex) of the lips or area surrounding the lips
- Beware of one small risk: Tissue is always injured with every injection. If you exaggerate the frequency of the injection, the tissue will gradually scar.
In addition to minimize risks, No filler treatment should be given for two weeks before and after vaccination.
More serious side effects or risks may include:
- Severe and prolonged swelling or bruising lasting one week to 10 days
- Lip asymmetry (parts of lips are different sizes)
- Lumps and irregularities in the lips
- Infection
- Ulceration, scarring, or stiffening of the lip
- Allergic reaction causing redness, swelling, or itching around the lips
- Tissue necrosis when the filler was injected into a vessel
Call your doctor immediately if you experience extreme swelling or develop a fever.
Other risks
For a lips to look natural, a holistic view of the mouth and chin region is required. Because often the red lips themselves are not the problem for too little volume.
What you should also know is that although it is possible to give the lips more volume and also to compensate for irregularities such as asymmetries, it is not possible to change the general shape of the lips, because this was determined by our genetics. So if you try to trick nature, the result always looks unnatural in the end – in the media and on Instagram and Co. there are enough examples of unsuccessful lip treatments.
When the lips are overfilled, the results can be what is sometimes mockingly called a ‘trout pout.’ Overaggressive injections can lead to lumpiness while too little can result in ridges. A good rule to avoid the risk of entering trout pout territory: the lower lip should always be fuller than the upper lip. A good surgeon will see to this.
The best way to approach lip augmentation procedures and choose the right lip injectable filler procedure for you, is to start with a low amount and go slow. Have little filler injected then wait a week. It takes time for the injectable to integrate with the tissue, so time between injections is helpful in determining if more filler is wanted. This approach prevents overfilling, and ensures our overall goal of a natural appearance.
Do lip injections hurt?
Typically, with a good doctor using quality products, lip injections are painless and easy. Some patients feel minor discomfort but nothing unmanageable.
Everyone’s pain threshold is different, of course, and some people may experience more discomfort than others. The amount of filler injected can also affect how much pain you experience. If you’re worried about pain, discuss with your doctor having a numbing agent applied to the upper and bottom lip prior to the procedure.
An experienced, board-certified medical professional, will start typically with smaller amounts to prevent pain and minimise risks. You should always feel free to discuss your apprehensions with your practitioner.
Surgical and nonsurgical options to plump up your lips
When deciding between surgical or non surgical lip procedure essential question is, do you want a temporary or permanent solution to lip augmentation?
While lip fillers are a series of injections that shape and volumize your lips they are only a semi-permanent solution.
Schedule a one-on-one Consultation with a doctor in your area
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