How Long Do Lip Fillers Last? Their Benefits And Side Effects

Have you thought of going for the lip augmentation process? Wondering how long do the lip fillers last? Well, this article can answer all your queries. If you wish to get fuller lips with the fillers, it is best to prepare yourself beforehand and be aware of the process and risks. Read on to understand all aspects of this minimally invasive process and what to expect from it.

What Are Lip Fillers And What Do They Do?

A lip filler is a cosmetic procedure to give you fuller, plumper, and voluminous lips. Most of the injectable fillers are made of hyaluronic acid, implants, or fats.

Hyaluronic acid is the most commonly used filler as it naturally occurs in the body.

Dermatologists use different types of lip fillers, depending on the look you want and the goal of the treatment, including adding fullness and balancing the lip shape or its structure. Depending on that, they choose brands. In the next section, we have elaborated on the longevity of the process and what you should expect.

How Long Does The Lip Filler Last? What To Expect?

The dermatologist may use lip fillers like Volbella, Restylane Refyne, Juvederm Ultra, and other brands, depending on the look you want to go for. Here is a snapshot of how long each lip filler may last.

If you have decided to go for lip fillers, consult a doctor and discuss your end goals – what you are expecting from the treatment. Depending on your answers, the doctor will choose the fillers.

Did You Know?

From the early 1960s, liquid silicone was used for lip augmentation. However, concerns about its impact on overall health and long-term appearance led to its abandonment about thirty years later.

Deciding Your Look And Choosing The Injections

Ask yourself what exactly you are looking for:

• Do you want defined lip edges?
• Do you want fuller lips?
• Do you want your lips to appear large, plump, and voluminous?

It always helps to set realistic goals. Hyaluronic acid fillers are widely used to plump the lips.  The body naturally produces it, and when injected as a filler, it attaches itself to the water molecules to plump the lips. Whether you want to add soft volume to your lips or just define the edges to refine their shape and structure, the doctor will pick one as per your need.

A study was conducted on 1496 participants to understand if hyaluronic acid was a good lip filler. Two months after the injection, 91% had experienced lip fullness at one point or the other, and after six and twelve months, 74% and 46% of the participants responded to still having full lips.

This is a minimally invasive process and often comes with minor side effects.

Risks Of Lip Fillers

Immediately after lip injections, you may notice:

• Swelling
• Bruising

For a week after the procedure, your lips may appear lumpy and swollen. However, it is normal and subsides after a few days. If you notice irregularities in your lips, like bruises outside the lip line, consult a dermatologist immediately.

You may also notice asymmetrical lips.

In this case, one side of your lips might be plumper or larger than the other side. Fillers often make the asymmetry noticeable. In such cases, you may need Botox to soften the lip muscles and hide the asymmetry. This procedure is also known as a lip flip.

In rare cases, you may develop a lump called a granuloma, a type of inflamed tissue. However, it can be easily dissolved with hyaluronidase.

Another less common side effect is a blocked blood vessel that reduces the blood flow to your lips and eventually damages the lip tissues. However, this is easily reversible with the help of doctors.

Each patient’s experience is unique to them, and they might experience varied post-procedure effects. Hence, it is best to follow up with your doctor. Lip fillers can give you natural-looking results without major side effects when performed by an experienced dermatologist.

Benefits Of Lip Injections

Lip fillers:

• Are compatible with future innovations.
• Provide quick results within an hour of the procedure.
• Are non-invasive.
• Are quick and less painful.
• Even out asymmetry.
• Minimize the appearance of fine lines around the mouth.
• Are customizable as per your needs.
• Are temporary and can be reversed.  

Pro Tip

If you don’t like the outcome of a hyaluronic acid filler, you can easily reverse it by injecting an enzyme named hyaluronidase, which can dissolve the filler in just a few minutes.

Lip fillers need to be followed up every 6-12 months. They add to your confidence and help maintain your luscious lips.

If you are looking for a less invasive way or want to complement the effects of lip fillers, explore techniques on how to make your lips look bigger.

In the following sections, learn everything you want to know about lip fillers, procedure, aftercare, and cost.

Lip Fillers: The Procedure, Aftercare, And Cost

How To Prepare For The Procedure

Consult a dermatologist and discuss your needs and goals. This will help you set realistic expectations. Discuss the details like expected size and volume of the lips you want – how wide or full you want them to be.

The doctor will analyze your lips to check for irregularities and asymmetry and discuss where they might inject the filler and how they will cover the irregularities.

They may also enquire about:

• Previous surgeries and treatments
• Allergies
• Medical history
• Use of alcohol or tobacco

What To Expect During The Procedure

The treatment will take up to an hour or less, so get ready to relax and be comfortable.

• The doctor applies a numbing cream around the mouth/on the lips to minimize the pain.
• They mark the strategic points around the lips after careful assessment. These are the injection sites for the filler.
• The area is thoroughly cleansed with an antibacterial agent.
• The filler is injected at the target site.
• The markings are erased, and an ice pack is applied to alleviate any discomfort or swelling.

Aftercare And Post-Treatment Recovery

Immediately after the procedure, you may notice redness and swelling. This subsides after a few days. Within a day or two, you will be able to return to your physical exercises.

Here are a few aftercare instructions that one must keep in mind for a steady recovery:

• Apply an ice pack to the lips.
• Do not use makeup products for at least 12 hours.
• Sleep on an elevated pillow to decrease swelling.
• Avoid alcohol and blood thinners for the next 24 hours.
• Do not apply pressure or massage the lips for at least two weeks.

Follow the aftercare tips provided by your doctor.

Do Lip Fillers Last?

Lip fillers are semi-permanent and may last for 6-12 months. However, numerous factors affect their longevity, including metabolism, age, aftercare, and maintenance. Here are a few tips for maintaining your lip fillers:

• Follow the aftercare advice diligently.
• Wear SPF every day and refrain from going out in the sun at peak hours, from 11 AM to 3 PM.
• Avoid biting your lips or massaging them too hard.
• Do not miss your doctor’s appointment.

How Much Do Lip Injections Cost?

Lip injection procedures may cost between $550 to $2000, depending on the type of filler, the area you live in, and the expertise of the doctor or clinic. Moreover, you have to go for multiple sessions depending on the longevity of the fillers.

Lately, lip flips have had their moments on Instagram and TikTok, but what exactly are they? How are they different from lip fillers? Let’s find out.

The Difference Between Lip Injections And Lip Flips

Lip fillers are injected directly into the lips to define them and make them fuller and pouty.

Lip flips, on the contrary, do not involve fillers. Instead, the doctors inject a small quantity of neurotoxin (Botox or Dysport) to relax the orbicularis muscle, above the top lip.  As a result, the top lip ’flips’ outward, creating an illusion of subtle pout.

This is how a lip flip may look:

Lip flip is good for those who have thinner lips or want to correct a gummy smile without injecting fillers.

Explore in details about the longevity of dermal fillers with this insightful video. Watch as the doctor guides through the process and shows visible results through a patient’s transformation. Also gain insights on how to prolong the results.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will lip fillers ruin your lips?

Yes. Frequently getting lip fillers may stretch the skin and cause your lips to sag.

Do lip fillers ever completely go away?

Yes, lip fillers are temporary. The lips slowly go back to their original shape in 12 to 18 months.

Can you get lip fillers while pregnant?

It is best suggested that pregnant women should exercise caution and avoid getting lip fillers. Every dermatological procedure involves the use of anesthesia which may cause congenital abnormalities and impede the development of the fetus. Also, during pregnancy, there are a lot of hormonal changes happening in women’s bodies such as fluid retention which affect the efficacy of the treatment. However, it is recommended to consult a physician before undergoing any cosmetic procedure during pregnancy (2).

Can I eat after lip fillers?

It is recommended that one should avoid eating chewy food for at least a day after getting lip fillers. The food or saliva can come in contact with your lips and can irritate the skin and increase the risk of infection.

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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Dr. Sravya TipirneniMBBS, MD DVL, AMPH (ISB)

     

Dr. Sravya Chowdary Tipirneni is a consultant dermatologist and cosmetologist with 7 years of experience and practices at Columbia Asia Hospital Whitefield, Bengaluru, India. She is a life member of the Indian Association of Dermatologists and Venereologists and Leprologists and the Association of Cutaneous Surgeons of India (ASCI).

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Ramona SinhaEditor

 

Ramona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal, and did her post-graduation from the University of Kalyani, West Bengal.

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Anjali SayeeAssociate Editor

Anjali is an associate editor at StyleCraze. She specializes in hairstyles and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these domains. She has 7 years of experience, and her philosophy about hair and skin care is simple: if you love and care for it, it will be healthy.

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Swathi ESenior Beauty & Lifestyle Writer

Swathi has a postgraduate degree in English literature from The English And Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and over three years of experience in writing on beauty, health, and lifestyle. She also has a diploma in English journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Kottayam, and is a certified skincare coach.

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