What are Lip Fillers?

Injectable fillers, such as Juvederm®, Restylane® and Perlane®, are a popular cosmetic injectable treatment with people who want to look younger and attain fuller lips. Lip injections are used to fill in lines and wrinkles on the face, but they can also be used under the eyes or around the mouth to change your appearance. The most common filler material for lip injections is hyaluronic acid (HA). HA is a natural substance that occurs throughout your body — it’s found in skin tissue as well as fluid between joints. Injections of HA into facial tissues allow your body to gradually break down and absorb this naturally occurring substance over time.

Who Gets Lip Fillers?

As you age, your lips may get smaller or thinner, your philtrum (the groove between your upper lip and septum) may get longer and flatter, and the distance between the corners of your mouth (intercommissural distance) may increase. And while these changes are common among people as they grow older, they can be disconcerting for those who feel that their lips have become less full than when they were younger.

Lip fillers can help restore one’s youthful appearance, add lip volume in specific areas, and smooth wrinkles near the mouth. Because it’s impossible to stop aging altogether, many people who choose to receive lip injections want to appear younger and improve their lip volume without resorting to surgery, and lip fillers offer a minimally invasive alternative.

What is the Recovery Time?

Recovery after lip augmentation is important to understand and anticipate.  Lip swelling peaks around 24 hours after the lip filler procedure, and it can last up to seven days in some cases. After two weeks, the lips usually have had enough time to adjust to their increased volume, meaning you’ll be able to visualize your final results.

Lip injection recovery is different for every patient.  Short-term side effects of lip injections can include lip swelling and bruising, tenderness or pain, and/or redness and sensitivity around the injection site(s). Take care not to scratch your lips or apply pressure in the hours following your treatment.  You may experience some discomfort, but generally it’s nothing to worry about. Ice packs and over-the-counter medications can be used if you do experience discomfort.

At the end of the day, none of these side effects should keep you from going back to work, or prevent you from engaging in any other daily activities. Just monitor your progress and make sure you visit your healthcare provider if you experience any serious side effects or if your mild side effects persist for longer than a few days after the procedure.

Benefits of Lip Filler Treatment

There are many benefits to undergoing lip filler treatment beyond just achieving fuller lips. Some of them include:

  • There’s a low risk of complications or side effects
  • They can enhance the appearance of your lips
  • They can mitigate the aging process
  • They can boost your self-esteem
  • There’s no downtime involved

Side Effects of Lip Filler Treatment

The lip filler procedure is minimally invasive and involves side effects that are typically mild and temporary, but you should still be aware of those effects before undergoing this injectable treatment. Here are some of the effects you may experience after lip augmentation:

  • Swelling
  • Bruising
  • Redness
  • Tenderness
  • Lip filler migration
  • Allergic reaction
  • Infection

How Long Do Lip Fillers Last?

The length of time that lip augmentation lasts depends on the type and strength of your filler. Usually, fillers last for six to 12 months. You can get additional treatments every six months to maintain your results and/or add volume.