The majority of lip fillers last between 6 to 12+ months. You can get repeat treatments every six months or a top up when clinically indicated. Scientists have found that hyaluronic acid injections prompt the skin to produce more collagen, creating more natural plumpness in the lips.

Dermal fillers are safe and effective in the correct hands.

Finding the right clinician to perform your dermal filler procedure is key. Side effects from dermal fillers are rare, however they do happen; see below!

• Bruising & swelling; is almost universally seen. This is NOT a side effect. Swelling can take up to 10-14 days to settle down
• Arterial-vascular compromise is the most feared side effect. This occurs when dermal fillers (including Hyaluronic Acid) are injected into a blood vessel. When this happens, the skin supplied by that vessel becomes ischemic (lack of oxygen). This can lead to ulcers & permanent scarring. There have been reported cases of vision loss (blindness) following lip injections. Careful injection technique as well as anatomical knowledge can reduce the chances of side effects.
• Infection; rarely seen. The most common infection is viral, namely activation of cold sores.
• Transient lumps & nodules occur within the first few weeks following dermal fillers. The majority of cases are due to product placement and injection technique; namely too much filler, or filler placed too superficially. These are usually self-resolving, however an enzyme can dissolve HA fillers if required.
• Delayed lumps & nodules are uncommon. They usually occur months or even years after filler injections. Most cases can be treated without dissolving the filler.
• Biofilm infection is very rare. This reaction requires treatment with antibiotics & dissolving enzymes.

The average lip will require just 0.5 to 1 ml of filler to achieve both definition & volume. You are unlikely to require more than one syringe of dermal filler. In some cases, a little more filler may be used to achieve a more dramatic look, but it would rarely require more than 2ml (or 2 syringes) of filler. It is always best to go under, rather than over. Top-ups are super easy, dermal filler reversal is harder (& more expensive in the long run)!

Yes, hyaluronic acid dermal fillers are reversible. Don’t be too hasty in making that decision, especially if you are still swollen & bruised. It can take up to 2 weeks before the swelling goes down. If you still don’t like what you see after this time, a reversal enzyme injection can help.

For lip filler reversal, please book to see my clinical nurse injector @cliniccutis

Fillers are more comfortable than you think. Correct injection technique, blocks & numbing agents will ensure your experience is comfortable!

Hyaluronic acid fillers such as Juvederm, Restylane & Belotero are temporary fillers. They typically last between 6-18 months. Once your body absorbs these fillers, your lip shape will return back to baseline.

To maintain lip definition & volume, lips are usually topped up every six months to eight months, however fillers can last up to 18 months (the usual is about one year).

Results vary from patient to patient though, so it’s best to speak to your advisor about how to keep your lips looking their best after the first injection.

Most lip fillers contain hyaluronic acid which is the building block for the dermal or deeper layer of your skin; hence the name- dermal fillers. Depending on the injection technique you may have minimal swelling in the injection area or across your lips at first, but once that subsides, you should not be able to feel the filler in your lips. It may take 2-3 weeks to get used to this. ‘It is normal to feel lumps, but it is not normal to see lumps.’

On average, fillers are supposed to last six to nine months, but as the lips are more mobile compared to other frequently filled areas (such as the cheeks, jawline, temples).  This movement, coupled with your metabolism, means that filler longevity can be less than expected. If this happens, consider changing to another brand of hyaluronic acid fillers.

No. There are many reasons why permanent lip fillers are not advisable. Firstly, the shape of your lip changes over time. Secondly, filler side effects such as lumps are more common in permanent fillers. Thirdly, IF arterial injection occurs, there is no way to easily reverse the blockage. Fourth reason is that trends change with time. The ‘in-look’ now may not be the best look in the future.

Pros and cons for each. Fillers have many advantages over fat grafting in the context of the lips. I used fat transfer over a decade ago, primarily in the United States. Fat gives volume, without definition. Not a great look.