What Is Lip Filler and Why Is It Done?

What Is Lip Filler and Why Is It Done?

Lip filler is a medical aesthetic procedure used to add volume to the lips, define the lip line and give them a more balanced look. Besides adding volume, it is used to balance the shape of the lips and reduce asymmetry.

For how filler is applied, what to watch for afterwards and how long it lasts, see our article What Is Filler?

The Structure of the Lip and Where Filler Fits

The outer edge of the lip is called the vermilion border, and the dip in the middle of the upper lip is the Cupid's bow. Filler is used to adjust how defined these lines look, the volume of the lips, or the ratio between the upper and lower lip. This ratio differs from person to person, so planning looks at the proportions of the whole face, not at the lips alone.

What Is Discussed at the Consultation?

• What you expect from your lips: volume, definition or symmetry
• An examination of the lips and the area around them
• Whether you have had filler before
• Your medications, allergies and any history of cold sores (herpes)
• Whether you have an important event in the days after the procedure

The product and the amount of filler are decided at this meeting. Whether the procedure is done in the same visit is also decided together with your doctor.

The Procedure, Step by Step

1. The lip area is cleaned and, if needed, marked
2. A numbing cream may be applied beforehand
3. The injection is made into the lip area with a fine needle or a cannula
4. At the end, symmetry is checked and a small correction is made if needed

The procedure takes about 20-30 minutes, and you can return to social life the same day.

If You Have a History of Cold Sores

In people who have had cold sores on the lip before, an injection can trigger one. Tell your doctor about your history at the examination. If needed, your doctor makes a preventive plan before the procedure.

Which Products Are Used?

In the lip area, hyaluronic acid fillers with a soft texture are generally chosen, because they give a natural look. The product is chosen at the examination, based on the result you aim for and the structure of your lips.

The Days After the Procedure

Swelling, slight bruising and a feeling of firmness in the lips can appear in the first days. They usually fade within 2-3 days.

• Avoid intense exercise for the first 24 hours
• Do not massage the lips firmly
• Stay away from very hot places for a few days

When to Contact Your Doctor Right Away

• Severe pain that keeps getting worse
• Pale or purplish discoloration in or around the lips
• Fever, marked redness or increased warmth

Can Filler Be Reversed?

Hyaluronic acid fillers can be dissolved with an enzyme called hyaluronidase. The decision and the procedure belong to the doctor. Because the option can vary with the product, it helps to ask about it before the procedure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is lip filler only done to make lips bigger?
No. It is also used to balance the shape of the lips and reduce asymmetry. Defining the lip line is another common aim.

How long does lip filler last?
How long it lasts depends on the product and on the person's metabolism. For general information, see our article What Is Filler?, and book an examination for a clear answer.

Does lip filler look natural?
When it is done with the right dose and technique, the aim is a proportionate result that fits your lips. A natural look comes before excess volume.

Does lip filler hurt?
The lips are a sensitive area, so a numbing cream may be applied beforehand. How much discomfort you feel differs from person to person.

Can I have lip filler if I get cold sores?
In people with a history of cold sores, an extra precaution may be needed before the procedure. The decision is made at the examination.

Can lip filler be reversed?
Hyaluronic acid fillers can be dissolved with the enzyme hyaluronidase. This option varies with the product, and the decision and the procedure belong to the doctor.

How is the amount of filler decided?
The amount is decided at the examination, based on the current structure of your lips, your expectations and the proportions of your face. The same amount does not give everyone the same result.

Looking at the Whole Face

Lip filler targets the lip area and does not correct structural concerns such as the shape of the nose or sagging eyelids. For changes like these, surgical options such as rhinoplasty in Ankara or eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) may be discussed. Your whole face is assessed at the consultation, and the method that suits you is chosen together.