Lip Fillers: Time to Shine Bright with Your Smile

What are Lip Fillers?

So, what is being injected into your lips?

Lip filler procedures use hyaluronic acid fillers to fill up wrinkles and folds in the lips. Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance that’s already found in the body. It adds volume, structure, and moisture to the lips. 

The process takes about an hour, and the effects are immediate. Depending on the product used and the patient, results may last from 6 months to over a year.

The cosmetic injector will numb the region during treatment, so there is minimal pain! You might experience some redness and tenderness as well as swelling and bruising which generally goes away within 48 hours following treatment.

Best Filler Injections for Lip Enhancement

So what product options do you have and which is the best?

Great question! The most frequent technique to improve lip volume, minimize the appearance of your lip lines, and treat any abnormalities to the lips is dermal filler injections, like Restylane and Juvederm. These are Hyaluronic acid fillers, which is the only FDA-approved filler for lip injections. Their thicknesses vary in different cosmetic procedures. Your cosmetic injector at SpaDerma will help you determine which exact product will be best for your lips!

Hyaluronic acid is naturally found in your body and the substance can hold up to 1,000x its weight in water, which is perfect for lip augmentation!

Benefits of Lip Fillers

OK. So now that you know what lip fillers are, let's talk about the “why.”

Why should you get filler in your lips?

Lip augmentation provides the most natural results, and they are easy to maintain. Lip augmentation using dermal fillers has a ton of advantages that go beyond simply adding volume to your lips.

1. Preventing the first sign of aging

Let’s be real. Aging happens naturally and it’s just a fact of life. As you get older you lose fullness in the lips, they become thinner, crease, and droop at the corners. Lip fillers can stop this natural process so you don’t have to worry about it!. Lip injections bring the volume of your lips back to where it was when you were younger, creating a youthful appearance!

2. Making uneven lip shapes more symmetrical

No one has “perfect” lips and that’s totally ok! These injectable fillers can enhance the lips' natural shape, making them fuller and more symmetrical. It can also make your lips more defined, giving you the perfect balance!

3. A fuller appearance to targeted locations by adding volume to the lips

Lip injections create a more pleasing appearance by adding volume in targeted areas you want to improve on your lips. Dermal fillers are frequently applied in the vermilion border (the top line of your lips) or philtrum area (that midline groove that runs from your lips to your nose).

4. Getting rid of  fine lines and wrinkles on the lips and the area surrounding the mouth

The results of lip fillers make a big difference to the appearance and radiance of your mouth. It helps to reduce fine lines, wrinkles, and other signs of aging around the mouth area. Lip injections help to give an overall smooth look and feel!

5. Flexibility based on requirements and expectations

Lip fillers can be used on your upper lip or lower lip, and they can also target the entire lip region. Lip filler treatment is flexible based on what you want to achieve because the various products work for different purposes!

Getting Prepared for Lip Filler Injections

You may be wondering if there's any prep work involved before the treatment. Don't worry, we have you covered!

Before receiving lip filler, you should avoid any over-the-counter blood-thinning medications for 48 hours prior to your appointment. You must wait 30 days following any major dental procedures to receive lip filler. Patients who are pregnant, nursing, or taking antibiotics also cannot be treated with lip filler.

We do not advocate that people on life-saving medications discontinue their treatments to have cosmetic operations carried out. So, if you are taking any medications that may thin the blood, we recommend consulting with your prescribing physician before receiving lip filler injections.

Patients who are prone to cold sores will require a prophylactic antiviral dose before receiving their injection treatment. This drug will be given to you by your doctor and make sure to inform your injector if you’re taking this medication. 

Recovery and Maintenance After Lip Injections

So, you have your newly refreshed and plump lips. Now what? How can you best take care of them to maintain these amazing results?

It's common for your lips to be painful, swollen, and even a little bruised after getting lip fillers. It's super important to let them recover and care for them properly to ensure your results last as long as possible.

Here are some suggestions to help your lips regain their strength:

After lip filler treatment, don't drink through straws, yes even your favorite reusable one.

Don't tug or massage your lips.

Don't fall asleep on your face.

Don’t drink alcohol before or after receiving lip fillers.

After a few days, you'll be as good as new! Our qualified cosmetic injector will thoroughly educate you on the healing process and post-care instructions.

Once your injections have healed, you can do whatever you want with your renewed lips! You can sip, kiss, laugh, and do everything that you’d usually do. However, be careful about facial massages. Excessive stimulation in that region may accelerate the breakdown of hyaluronic acid.

Lip Filler FAQs

If you still have questions, we have the answers. As Chicago's top-rated medspa, we've performed thousands of lip filler procedures.

What is the lip filler treatment?

Lip filler is a type of cosmetic treatment that uses hyaluronic acid to improve the fullness, balance, and overall look of the lips. Hyaluronic acid fillers are injected into the lips as they restore them by adding volume, making them smooth, and creating a more defined shape of your mouth.

How quickly do lip fillers work? 

Immediately! Within minutes of an injection, you'll be able to see your lips plumping. Because swelling is most common in the days following a procedure, your lips may appear "over-plumped" at first. However, this will lessen rapidly, and you should be able to notice the final result approximately a week later.

How long do lip fillers last?

On average, lip filler lasts anywhere from 6 months to over a year. Lip filler is not permanent.

What does it cost for lip fillers?

Lip fillers at SpaDerma typically cost between $650 and $850 per syringe of filler. The final total will depend on the amount of filler used to achieve the patient’s desired results.

Do lip injections hurt?

You might feel a slight tickle, mild pressure, and a dull sort of throbbing. However, it will not be excruciatingly painful since numbing cream is applied prior to treatment.

Will my lips appear saggy or stretched out after injections wear off? 

No! You won't have to worry about dealing with a "deflated" appearance as the hyaluronic acid fades. Your skin will revert to its original form without sagging or distending after treatment. This transformation will happen gradually, and you won't wake up one morning to find that your lips have suddenly lost volume. Instead, as the filler dissipates, your lips may appear ‘back to normal’ since the natural aging process continues.

Do lip fillers make your lips feel hard?

Lip injections will not make your lips feel hard. Lip injections add volume to the area to become a little more plump and full after treatment. Any immediate hardness you might be feeling comes from swelling in that part of your body; swelling typically goes away within 24 hours.

What should I know before getting a lip filler?

Make sure to avoid blood thinners before your lip injection appointment. Thin blood will be more prone to bruising and bleeding. So two days before the procedure, stop taking painkillers (such as aspirin or ibuprofen)—as well as alcohol, which also thins your blood.

What should you not do after receiving lip filler?

We recommend waiting 24 hours after your treatment before you return to the gym. It’s best to stay away from anything that causes blood to flow to your face, such as getting a massage or facial or exercising with handstands, which will only increase the swelling. We also recommend waiting 2 weeks after your procedure to receive any other aesthetic facial treatment. 

How can you make lip injections last longer?

Because various factors influence the duration of time your lip injections will last, there's not much you can do to make them stay fuller for longer.

Are lip fillers dangerous?

With anything, there is the potential for adverse effects and risks, such as a condition called vascular occlusion (also known as blood vessel blockage, which is uncommon but can result in tissue death). Consult with your provider on any potential adverse effects before your treatment.

Is a doctor the best person for lip fillers?

It's recommended that you see a qualified, licensed cosmetic injector for lip filler injections. Because the aesthetic injectors at SpaDerma only focus on aesthetic injections, lip injections are in their expertise. Lip injections aren't the sort of treatment you should undertake without consulting with an expert because your face is at stake!

How many syringes of lip filler do you need for lip injections?

The majority of patients require only one syringe of filler to notice results. However, everyone is different and your provider will provide their recommendation before treatment.

How often do you need to repeat lip injections?

Most people require additional lip injections every six months. However, some individuals may metabolize the fillers faster and will need to return sooner than that, while others discover they can go a year without a repeat injection. Sometimes, less filler is required for maintenance than was previously injected. Injections to the lips stimulate the body to create collagen in that region and increase lip shape, too.

Why SpaDerma?

If you’re looking to plump your lips and your confidence, SpaDerma has your back!

Treatments are available at our four Chicago-based locations under direct consultation of licensed skincare professionals. All providers are extensively trained in the latest cosmetic injecting procedures and techniques.

Our goal is to provide natural-looking results that leave you feeling confident!

Make an appointment for your next consultation here!