Lip Injections for Volume and Shape

Injectable lip fillers are a type of dermal filler that enhance depressed areas on the face, most commonly around the mouth and lips.

Lip fillers are primarily used to increase the fullness and shape of the lips.

Specialists sometimes combine treatment with other procedures such as laser resurfacing.

There are different types of products, including collagen, hyaluronic acid, and autologous fat (Belotero, Juvederm, Restylane, or Volbella are typically hyaluronic acid-based fillers).

Autologous Fat Injections

Autologous fat injections utilize fat from your own body. To acquire the fat needed for your treatment injection, liposuction is used, which is why this procedure is also called fat grafting.

One bonus of autologous fat injections is that they can be made without having to perform extremely invasive surgical techniques, although the procedure does come with some risk—as does any surgical procedure.

Another advantage (and the reason some patients prefer autologous fat injections to other types of injections) is that the method utilizes fat from your own body rather than a foreign substance. Plus, the method lasts longer than other types of fillers.

How Long Does Fat Grafting/Injection Last?

Fat grafting lasts much longer than lip fillers, around 4 years more.

Lip fillers at most last around a year, which means you can expect to get five years out of fat grafting, sometimes more.

Only a fully qualified treatment provider should offer this procedure.

Fat Grafting vs Lip Lift vs Lip Implants Clarification

Please don’t confuse fat grafting with a lip lift or lip implants.

A lip lift is a surgical procedure that removes skin between the top lip and the nose with the goal of shortening the gap between them.

Lip implants, meanwhile, use plastic implants to make lips look fuller.

No, lip injections are not a permanent solution since the effects will eventually wear off.

Depending on the type of filler used, results will last anywhere from 6 to 18 months. The body will gradually absorb the filler material over time.

In some cases, minor touch-ups may be necessary to maintain the desired look.

What About Permanent Lip Augmentation?

When we tell people that lip fillers aren’t permanent, we sometimes get asked about permanent lip augmentation.

Well, as the name implies, this is a long-term solution for lips that lack definition and volume. The two main types of permanent lip augmentation are lip lifts and lip implants.

Remember though: Getting a lip lift or lip implant is a big decision that will forever alter your lips’ appearance, so think carefully before choosing to move forward.

Of the two procedures, lip lifts are even more permanent than lip implants since implants can indeed be removed, although doing so requires that you get the silicone or polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) implant removed.

Do Lip Fillers Permanently Stretch Your Lips?

Sometimes, yes. If you get lip fillers from an unqualified or inexperienced treatment provider, it’s possible that they may inject too much filler, which can lead to long-term problems.

In the event this happens, fortunately, there is a solution. You can get rid of excess skin from your lips with surgery.

However, going through surgery to fix mistakes that were made during what should have been a simple, straightforward treatment is never desirable.

To avoid any issues with your treatment, you’ll want to consult an experienced and qualified doctor who can walk you through the details of your treatment process.

Is Permanent Lip Augmentation Right For You?

To answer this question, we strongly recommend speaking to your preferred treatment provider. You’ll want to be in good health before getting a procedure done.

If your concerns are strictly cosmetic, you may also want to get some feedback on the operation from your family, your significant other, friend circle, or any mentors you might have to see if the move is the right one to make.

It depends on the thickness you want and the anatomy of your lips.

In general, you’ll need three sessions to notice a subtle difference and four to six sessions for a more dramatic result.

Lip injections are a temporary procedure, so you may need more touch-ups a year after your treatment to maintain your desired look.

What Factors Impact The Longevity of Lip Fillers?

How long your lip fillers last depends on different factors, such as your age, what type of filler you are using (including the brand), genetics, and lifestyle.

Let’s look at hyaluronic acid to see how this would work.

Remember that hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance in the body that acts as a lubricant in the joints. Since hyaluronic acid is natural to the body, the body has the ability to absorb the substance once it has been injected into the lips.

Consequently, the speed of your body’s natural metabolism plays a big role in how long your fillers will last.

How much you exercise will influence your metabolic rate, as will your diet and sleep patterns. Likewise, it may be possible that smoking will influence how long your lip fillers last due to its impact on metabolic rate.

Lip enhancement treatments like lip injections can cause side effects. Some of the most common side effects include swelling, bruising, and pain.

In some cases, lip injections can also lead to scarring, lumps, bumps under the skin, and infection.

Additionally, if the product is not applied correctly, the results can be an uneven appearance or unnatural-looking lips.

Consult with a medical professional to get the best lip enhancement treatment to minimize the risk of experiencing these side effects.

Can Lip Fillers Cause Asymmetry of The Lips?

When misapplied, yes. Lip injections can cause asymmetry of the lips, which is another reason why it’s important to work with an experienced and qualified treatment provider.

Can Lip Fillers Move (Migrate)?

Yes. Adding too much filler can result in filler moving out of the lips, creating the “duck lip” effect. You’ll also want to be careful about messing with your lip filler (massaging or itching the injected area) too soon after your treatment.

It’s important to consult with your doctor about how to treat your lips after your procedure to ensure the best possible outcome.

How To Reduce Swelling After Lip Injections

Swelling of the lips is normal after treatment. To help with the issue, you can apply ice to the lips by holding ice in a cloth or using an ice pack.

For the most part, lip fillers do not hurt.

Some clients, though, will notice a stinging sensation during treatment.

If you’re concerned with pain, you’ll be happy to know that we utilize numbing agents to make your lip injections as pain-free as possible.

What About Potential Harm? Are Lip Fillers Harmful?

When misapplied, dermal fillers in general can be dangerous.

To avoid misapplication of your filler, our team takes a careful approach and will ask you questions related to your health and lifestyle before offering you treatment.

The lip fillers we use are made by a natural substance called hyaluronic acid. This substance is found in your skin and helps to keep it hydrated. Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance, so it is safe and effective in the right hands.

Can You Get Lip Fillers When Pregnant?

We would not recommend it since dermal fillers have not been verified as safe for use during pregnancy. To learn more, we suggest speaking to your obstetrician (OB).

At Mirror Mirror Med Spa, you can always count on the expertise and experience of our beauty specialists.

With us, you’ll get sustainable ingredients and products for each treatment.

Customized Treatment Plans

At our medical spa, we believe that every client possesses unique beauty that can be enhanced with the right treatment plan.

All of our treatment plans are specifically tailored to your needs.

To ensure your treatments are exceptionally high quality, our licensed team members utilize state-of-the-art equipment.

Mirror Mirror Med Spa Mission Statement

Whether you are interested in lip injections or a different type of treatment, our mission is to increase your self-confidence and improve how you feel, as well as provide safe, minimally-invasive treatment options.

Client Testimonials

Here’s a testimonial from Ekaterina Larikova, one of our highly valued clients:

“I was looking for a med spa who would give me an honest opinion about lip injection, finally I was referred to this place. Once I called Nurse Practitioner responded the phone so we could do a consultation right away. I did a lip flip and light filler(also it was my first time doing injection). Colleen was so nice and explained every step and post procedure, what to expect after. Thank you Mirror Med Spa for a great result and experience I’m your client forever.”

Maya Porcelli says:

“I had a great experience getting fillers done here! The space was very clean and I felt very taken care of. The nurse was amazing! Will definitely be coming back and recommending to all my friends.”

Alla Fasman says:

“I had a lip filler and so amazed with the result. It’s exactly what I wanted to just a little plump and lip flip so it looks natural and not overdone. Colleen did a great job!”

Measurements aren’t usually necessary after lip injections since, fortunately, you can look in the mirror and know if the desired lip augmentation was successful. The results will be apparent.

Regarding lip filler quantity, you’ll want to speak to your treatment provider about the amount they inject.

Many lip injection brands have syringes that come with 1ml of filler, although how much you need depends on what you’re trying to accomplish as well as the issues you’re trying to fix, such as asymmetrical or thin lips.

What Measures Should I Take After Lip Injections?

Now, if you’re asking what measures you can take after your lip injection, you may apply some ice immediately after the procedure to minimize swelling.

Most people get up right away and drive home or go back to work, but those who take local anesthetic may feel numb for around two hours.

You also shouldn’t go to the gym for at least 24 hours after lip injections since you’ll want to avoid activities that increase blood flow to your face.

These activities, by the way, also include things like getting a massage or facial or doing headstands. You’ll likely be a little swollen and red after your treatment, so we recommend having an ice pack on hand and drinking plenty of water.

The best filler for you will depend on different factors, such as lip shape and anatomy, the extent of correction you desire, and your skin type and sensitivity.

The most common lip fillers include collagen, hyaluronic acid (HA), and fat.

Collagen is a natural protein that helps maintain the structural integrity of tissues and organs.

HA is a natural substance that attracts and retains water, making it an ideal moisturizer.

Fat is part of your own body, so there is no risk of allergic reaction.

Your doctor will help you select the best filler for your needs.

How Are Different Injectables Administered?

As you can imagine, lip injections are administered with a needle, but sometimes a cannula is also used.

The difference between these two is that a needle is a sharp instrument like what you’d find at your doctor’s office while a cannula has a round end, so it can’t actually pierce the skin.

When using a cannula, your treatment provider will first have to make a small hole with a needle just to get through the surface of the skin.

Then they can apply the cannula, which has the advantage of pushing away important structures that could get bruised during the lip injection treatment.

To learn more about needles vs cannulas, check out this informative VIDEO by Victorian Cosmetic Institute on YouTube.

We certainly think lip injections are worth it!

Plenty of our clients would agree, hence why we have 5-star ratings in Google.

And the truth is that millions of other people also agree that lip injections are worth it.

Lip injections are incredibly popular today due to their ability to fill out thinning lips and solve issues with your appearance that can create a lack of self-confidence.

One of the best parts about lip injections is that they are non-invasive and require very little downtime.

If I’m Unhappy With My Results, Can I Have Lip Injections Reversed?

Yes, you can. Since we use hyaluronic acid-based lip injections, they can be dissolved with an enzyme called Hyalase (Hyaluronidase).

If you’ve ever heard of someone getting their fillers dissolved or removed, they are probably talking about a Hyalase treatment.

Sometimes clients who get lip injections, especially at lesser experienced medical spas, will want to go this route, not because the treatment has gone wrong but because certain expectations weren’t met.

A good way to avoid needing a lip injection removal treatment is to closely consult with your treatment provider and ask plenty of questions before starting treatment so that you know what to expect.

IMPORTANT NOTE: You should not seek out a Hyalase treatment without first consulting your doctor. It’s important that you follow the guidance of a medical professional when using Hyalase.