More than adding volume
Lip filler is often thought of as adding size. A careful plan begins elsewhere. Your doctor looks at facial proportions, the ratio between upper and lower lip, and the shape you already have. All of this is mapped before any product is used.
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is then placed in small amounts with fine needles. A plan with no injection at all is also a fair outcome. Some concerns belong to a different treatment.
Where lip fillers are placed
Filler at the vermilion border is aimed at definition. Our lip treatment page explains the approach.
This is where filler is placed when volume is the aim.
Small amounts are placed at a flattened bow.
These are assessed as part of the whole lip.
What happens on the day
Who suits it and who should wait
| Situation | Guidance |
|---|---|
| Thin lips, mild asymmetry, soft borders or a flat cupid's bow | May suit, if a modest change is the goal |
| Dry, less defined lips | May suit, where hydration is part of the aim |
| Pregnancy, breastfeeding, or planning pregnancy | Wait |
| Active cold sore, infection or inflamed skin around the mouth | Wait |
| Known allergy to HA products or lidocaine | Avoid |
| Bleeding disorder, unreviewed blood thinners, active autoimmune or inflammatory condition | Needs assessment first |
| Earlier filler of unknown type, or lip changes that look like a skin condition | May be referred to dermatology |
Keeping the change modest
Small amounts are planned with the proportions of the rest of the face in mind. Mild differences in height, volume or projection can be addressed this way. The first days can mislead, as swelling and mild bruising are common in the first 24 to 72 hours. Wait for that to pass before judging shape. If your real concern is laxity or lines around the mouth, filler is a poor fit, and your doctor will say so. Fuller lips are only one possible aim. Better definition or hydration may matter more to you.
What lip fillers cannot do
Filler does not tighten skin. It does not treat lines caused by muscle movement around the mouth. It is a poor fit if you want a lip shape very different from your own. Filler also fades. How long it lasts varies with product, volume and metabolism, and lips break filler down faster than less mobile areas. Repeat treatment is discussed at review. Results vary.
Risks and aftercare
Swelling, tenderness, small bruises and firmness are expected. Swelling peaks early and usually settles. Less common problems include lumps, asymmetry, an overfilled look and a cold sore flare if you are prone to them. Vessel blockage is rare but is an emergency, and delayed inflammatory reactions are also rare. Careful assessment reduces risk but does not remove it. White, grey, blue or mottled skin, or severe or worsening pain: urgent assessment by the injector or A&E now. See a doctor the same day, or go to A&E if none can see you, for hot and increasingly swollen lips, fever, or a hard, tender lump. Any change in vision needs the nearest emergency department. Avoid pressing or massaging the lips for 24 hours. Avoid strenuous exercise, heat and alcohol early on, very hot food, and dental work or facials for a week unless your doctor agrees. See dermal filler aftercare.