Lip Filler Injections: 7 Key Tips You Should Know

What are lip filler injections?

Lip filler injections are the most well-known dermal fillers used for lip augmentation. Lip filler injections can add volume to thinner lips, making them plump, giving them an aesthetic shape, or compensating for the loss in volume.

Types of lip augmentation:

• Lip filler injections: injection of dermal fillers into the lips or around the mouth to enhance or add a desired feature (such as volume) to your lips.

• Lip lifting: pulling up the lip by removing excess skin between the lips and nose.

• Lip implants: Insertion of an implant into your lips through an incision in the mouth corner

• Fat grafting:  extraction of fats from other organs and purifying to inject into your lips.

Lip filler injections are considered the easiest for their minimal time and fast healing with tunable and desired results.

Main Types of lip filler injections:

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons answers this question as follows: There are many types of dermal fillers, and the most common are:

• Hyaluronic acid: the most common dermal filler that is used as lip filler injections, especially for Marionette lines at the corners of the mouth, and redefining the lip border.

• Polyalkylimide: Plumping thin lips, addressing deeper wrinkles like nasolabial folds or depressed scars, enhancing cheekbones and the jawline, replacing facial volume lost due to age, and being utilized to treat facial wasting resulting from HIV medications.

• Polylactic acid (PLA): a synthetic filler that stimulates the body’s production of collagen. PLA-based fillers are lip filler injections that can plump thin lips, fill the lines caused by laughing, and treat deep nasolabial folds.

• Polymethyl-methacrylate microspheres (PMMA): treat medium- to deep wrinkles, furrows, and folds. Besides that, they are used as lip filler injections and scar treatments.

• Calcium hydroxylapatite is a mineral compound that naturally exists in human bones. It addresses moderate-to-severe creases like nasolabial folds, enhancing cheek and facial contours, and improving volume in areas affected by facial wasting, common in individuals taking specific medications for HIV.

Who is qualifying for a lip filler injection?

The following criteria will determine if you are qualified for lip filler injections or not:

• Enhancing the lips’ appearance.

• Adding volume or defining the shape of your lips.

• Change the shape of your lips to look beautiful (we advise surrounding yourself with individuals who already perceive you as beautiful, especially if this is the sole motivation for considering lip filler injections).

• Healthy people and those who seek self-confidence.

Moreover, you are not qualified for lip filler injections in case:

• Pregnant or nursing women.

• Individuals with medical conditions like bleeding disorders or allergies.

• People are experiencing autoimmune conditions such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid disease, and Crohn’s disease.

• Individuals with fungal, bacterial, or viral infections.

Will lip filler injections meet your expectations?

Area for lips in relation to lip filler injections:

Lip augmentation starts with a lip analysis. Generally, lip anatomy is important to know the target area for the suitable lip filler.

• Upper Lip: The area between the nose and lips.

• Philtrum Columns: Two parallel columns connecting the top lip to the nose area.

• Cupid’s Bow: The horizontal bow shape at the center of the upper lip, varying in prominence among individuals.

• Vermilion Lip: The visibly pigmented surface of the lip.

• Vermilion Border: The red margin of the lip.

• Wet-Dry Border: The boundary between the lips and the inside of the mouth, separating dry lips from moist inner lip tissues.

• Oral Commissure: The corners of the lips, which, when sunken, may contribute to a sad appearance.

The lip filler injections can influence your expectations positively such as the following:

• Cupid’s Bow Enhancement: Using a small amount of dermal filler enhances the Cupid’s bow, creating balance in the upper lip and a more youthful appearance.

• Profile Projection: Lip filler injections improve the side profile by adding volume, and clients may opt for additional cosmetic procedures to achieve overall facial balance.

• Minimal Side Effects: Dermal fillers for lip injections with hyaluronic acid are minimally invasive, reducing the risk of side effects or complications.

• Confidence Boost: Lip enhancement with injectable fillers can positively influence self-esteem, body image, and overall confidence.

• Center Fullness Restoration: Lip filler injection treatments restore natural-looking fullness to thinning lips caused by aging.

• Side-to-Side Symmetry Correction: Lip filler injections address facial asymmetry, offering minor adjustments and restoring symmetry to lips affected by factors like genetics or aging.

• Long-lasting Results: Lip filler injections provide lasting effects, keeping lips plump or symmetrical for up to a year or more.

The optimum time required for lip filler injections:

The entire process of lip filler injections takes around 30–120 minutes, depending on the desired area and the healthcare provider. Most dermal fillers take around 4 weeks to fully integrate with tissues and become in their final form.

What are the precautions before, while, and after Lip filler injections?

This set of instructions outlines important guidelines before lip filler injections (you should confirm these instructions with your healthcare provider):

• Medication Restrictions: Refrain from aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, fish oil, Ginko Biloba, St. John’s Wort, and high doses of vitamin E for 7-10 days before the process of lip filler injections to minimize the risk of bleeding and bruising.

• Alcohol Avoidance: Abstain from alcoholic beverages 24 hours before the procedure to reduce the risk of bleeding and bruising (alcohol acts as blood thinners).

• Hair Removal Precautions: Avoid waxing, tweezing, bleaching, or using hair removal creams in the treatment area.

• Clean Face: No make-up and no moisturizers.

• Pain Management: Consider taking Tylenol® (if not contraindicated) an hour before the appointment for discomfort concerns.

• Herpes Simplex History: Inform the doctor if you have a history of Herpes Simplex (cold sores) on your face one week before the appointment for preventive medication.

• Sunburn Prevention: Avoid sun exposure, as sunburned skin can be challenging to treat.

• Pre-Appointment Nutrition: Eat a small meal or snack before the appointment.

• Medical Information Disclosure: Always communicate your complete medication list, including supplements, and provide your medical history to the doctor.

The post-lip filler injections’ precautions can be summarized as follows:

• Sun Exposure and Alcohol: Limit sun exposure and avoid alcohol in the first 24 hours to prevent increased redness, bruising, or swelling. Use sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher if sun exposure is unavoidable.

• Physical Activity: Refrain from strenuous exercise for 48 hours to avoid moving the filler or increasing blood flow to the face.

• Medication Restrictions: Avoid aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, fish oil, Gingko Biloba, St. John’s Wort, and high doses of vitamin E for 5 days after treatment to minimize the risk of bleeding or bruising.

• Gentle Care: Do not excessively touch or massage treated areas for about 6 hours. Wash the treated areas with a gentle cleanser.

• Dental Procedures: Avoid dental procedures, including cleaning, for 2 weeks post-filler.

• Follow-Up Visit: Return for a follow-up appointment in 2 weeks. Additional treatments, if needed, may incur extra charges. Consider follow-up treatments before the product fully dissipates for enhanced lasting effects.

• Sunscreen Reminder: Use sunscreen daily for skin protection.

• Avoid smoking or vaping.

What are the side effects of lip filler injections?

Most of the patients who use lip filler injections undergo the following steps:
Immediately post-treatment, expect swollen and possibly bruised lips. With a gentle massage, apply a cold compress to aid absorption.

• First Day: Swelling may peak, causing sensitivity.

• Second Day: Lips may be inflamed, feeling sensitive and bruised—normal after treatment.

• Third-Day: Swelling and inflammation begin to decrease, with gradual improvement each day.

• Fifth to Seventh Day: Swelling should vanish, revealing the benefits of dermal fillers within a week.

Note: You should consult your healthcare provider if there are any abnormalities or complications.

What is the aftercare for lip filler injection?

10 tips for post-dermal filler injection:

• Avoid Alcohol: Refrain from alcohol consumption for 24-48 hours before and after lip filler injection to minimize the risk of inflammation, bruising, and swelling.

• Avoid Kissing, Massaging, or Touching Lips: Give time for puncture holes to heal and minimize infection risk by avoiding pressure on the lips through activities like kissing, massaging, or touching.

• Apply Ice: Use ice packs or wrapped ice cubes on the lips during the first 48 hours to alleviate swelling, bruising, and itching.

• Avoid Hot Environments: Stay away from direct sunlight, high-temperature places, saunas, baths, steam, or heated exercise for at least 48 hours after treatment to prevent blood vessel dilation and worsened swelling.

• Don’t Use Straws: In the first 24-48 hours post-treatment, avoid using straws to prevent distortion of lip fillers due to pressure and motion.

• Limit Sodium Intake: Cut down on high-sodium foods for 48 hours after the procedure to reduce swelling. Focus on a diet rich in fruits and vegetables to aid healing.

• Drinking water: Staying hydrated is crucial for supporting your body’s recovery process. It enhances nutrient delivery throughout the body, promoting healing.

• Refrain from Flying: Wait at least a week before air travel to avoid intensified swelling and bruising due to air pressure changes in a plane, which may also dehydrate the lips.