Lip Fillers

The active ingredient in lip fillers binds to the water in your body, resulting in a malleable gel that shapes and supports the tissue in your lips, plumping them and improving their appearance. Over time, your body will naturally break down and absorb the ingredients of the filler. Ongoing treatments are therefore required to maintain your results.

A lip flip uses anti-wrinkle injections to relax the muscles that control the upper lip. This causes the lip to evert or ‘flip’ outwards, creating the illusion of a fuller pout without actually adding any volume. Results appear within two weeks and last ten to twelve weeks before re-treatment is required.

Lip filler can provide all-over enhancement for the upper and/or lower lip by directly adding volume. The results can be subtle or dramatic, depending on your preference. Lip fillers can also improve lip border definition, enhance the Cupid’s bow and minimise fine lines. Results are immediate and can last up to one to two years, sometimes longer.

In the hands of a qualified injector, lip fillers are generally a safe and straightforward procedure. However, there are steps you can take leading up to your treatment to increase your likelihood of a complication-free procedure. The following precautions can minimise your risk of bruising, bleeding and swelling after lip injections:

• Avoid nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and aspirin
• Avoid supplements that have a blood-thinning effect, such as fish oil, vitamin E or St. John’s Wort
• Do not smoke or drink large quantities of alcohol in the days leading up to your appointment

 
Your provider may make additional recommendations based on your medical history or specific concerns. The closer you adhere to this guidance, the more likely it is that your lip injections will be safe, comfortable and successful.

To begin, the lip is cleansed with antiseptic. A device is used to mark out veins to reduce the risk of bruising. Anaesthetic is used to ensure your comfort during the procedure. Options include topical, injectable or a dental nerve block depending on your preference.

At Kaya Cosmedica we use both a dermal cannula or needle for lip dermal filler treatments. We prefer to perform lip injections with a cannula, which reduces the risk of bleeding and swelling and is safer overall compared to using a needle. Rejuvenating the lips with a cannula is an advanced technique that allows for more precise placement of filler, leading to a better result.

Many patients find this procedure is shorter and less painful than expected. However there can be a risk of swelling and bruising for the 3-5 days. Preliminary results are visible immediately, with minimal aftercare restrictions or requirements.

A cannula is a blunt-tipped instrument used as an alternative to a sharp-tipped needle in injection treatments. A cannula is longer and more flexible than a traditional needle, allowing it to reach further and fill a larger area with only one entry point. The blunt tip causes less trauma underneath the skin and reduces the risk of the instrument piercing structures such as blood vessels.

Some additional benefits of using cannulas to deliver lip fillers include:

• Less risk of swelling or bruising
• The injector has better control over the amount of filler injected into each section of the lips, allowing for more precise placement
• Less risk of bumps or lumps in the lips
• Less risk of inadvertent injection into a blood vessel, reducing the risk of lip necrosis
• Improved patient comfort during treatment
• Overall decreased downtime
• Results last longer

 
For more information on cannulas vs. needles, see our blog post Why Use a Microcannula Instead of a Needle for Dermal Fillers?

Enhancing the lips doesn’t simply mean adding volume. The optimal approach to rejuvenation depends on each patient’s individual goals and anatomy. When we decide where to inject lip fillers, we consider multiple areas, and potentially multiple modalities. For example:

• Filler in the Cupid’s bow can soften or define the “points”
• Filler in the border of the lip can create a lifting/eversion effect
• Filler in vertical lines around the lips can smooth out signs of ageing and improve makeup application
• Filler in the philtrum can improve balance, symmetry, definition and youthfulness
• Anti-wrinkle injections in the oral commissures can lift the corners of the mouth
• Anti-wrinkle injections around the upper lip border can “flip” the upper lip

 
There are at least 15 different anatomical zones in this area and many possible injection sites. This is one of the many reasons we remind our South Melbourne patients that it is critical to choose a reputable cosmetic practice and an experienced clinical doctor to perform lip injections.

Little downtime is needed after receiving lip fillers. You may experience some swelling, bruising and soreness after your appointment. This is normal, particularly within the first 24 to 48 hours. Some patients are comfortable returning to work and routine activities right away. Others prefer to wait a day or two to allow the most acute swelling or bruising to subside. Be sure to plan ahead and account for these possible side effects if you are scheduling injections before a wedding or other major event.

You will see immediate results after your procedure, although mild swelling may initially make your lips appear bigger than you wish. Give your lips at least 48 hours to adjust to their new shape while the swelling diminishes and the filler settles into place. Over the next two weeks, the filler will integrate into your natural lip tissues to achieve the final result. We offer a complimentary review appointment at our South Melbourne skin clinic at the two-week mark to assess the outcome and make any necessary adjustments.

Lip fillers are not permanent. The filler is metabolised by the body and its plumping effect gradually fades. The longevity of lip fillers is dependent on several factors and varies from patient to patient. The effects of your lip augmentation may last up to 12-18 months, even longer at times.

Because lip injections are a temporary treatment, you will need to continue to undergo subsequent treatments to maintain the shape and volume of your lips. However, with a regularly-scheduled treatment program, you can enjoy your positive results as long as you wish.

Lip fillers used at Kaya Cosmedica are high-grade non-permanent hyaluronic acid fillers that are reversible if required. It is vital that your filler procedure is performed by an experienced injector as this has a direct effect on the quality of your results. Lip filler treatments are safe and nearly painless, as they contain a local anaesthetic in their formulation in order to maximise comfort, but like any medical treatment, side effects are possible. The most common side effects associated with lip fillers appear around the injection site and may include:

• Swelling or bruising
• Redness
• Tenderness
• Lumps

 
While dermal fillers are considered safe when administered by a qualified and well trained injector, there are rare and serious complications including the risk of lip necrosis, infection and granulomas. Factors that contribute to these risks include an unexperienced or unqualified injector administering dermal fillers, technique, product choice and patient factors such as underlying health conditions that can increase the risk. To reduce overall risk and provide safe treatment, all patients at Kaya Cosmedica require a thorough initial consultation to determine suitability, assess facial and lip proportion, plan and consent for treatment. Once treatment is performed a complimentary follow up is scheduled at 4 weeks or earlier if required.

Injectable lip fillers are temporary. Your results will disappear naturally with time if you are unhappy with the outcome or decide you no longer wish to enhance your lips. For a faster effect, the filler can be dissolved with an enzyme that breaks down the filler at an accelerated rate, within 24-48 hours. In either case, your lips will return to their pre-treatment size and shape.

Visit our blog to learn more about dissolving lip fillers.

Many people who are interested in lip augmentation are candidates for lip fillers. Ideal candidates for the treatment are physically healthy and have realistic goals and expectations for the outcome of the procedure. Filler injections are not recommended for people who have a known allergy or sensitivity to the material, have inflammation or an active infection near the site of injection, have a bleeding disorder, are breastfeeding or pregnant or have certain medical conditions.

A face-to-face consultation with Dr Khinda or another provider at Kaya Cosmedica is the best way for us to evaluate your suitability for this procedure, learn more about your aesthetic goals and preferences, and develop a personalised treatment plan for your lip enhancement.

Many clients considering lip fillers are concerned about their results being overdone or unnatural (a look that has popularly been branded “duck lips” or “trout pout”). In the hands of an experienced and skilled injector, the results of lip augmentation can look subtle and natural.

Initial swelling after treatment may make your lips appear larger and more firm than you would like. Know that this is temporary and not your final result. When your lips have fully recovered, they should feel no different than they did before injections.

A natural look is best achieved by starting with a smaller amount of filler and gradually increasing the size of your lips over time. Discuss your desired results thoroughly during your consultation so you and your injector can decide what will best flatter your features.

The careful placement of a combination of injectables can enhance your natural beauty in a subtle yet impactful way. At Kaya Cosmedica, we often combine dermal fillers and anti-wrinkle injections to contour areas of the face, restore volume, minimise lines and highlight favourite features. This approach offers patients a rejuvenated look with the benefits of rapid results and minimal recovery time. It is sometimes referred to as a liquid facelift or nonsurgical facelift.

Achieving beautiful, natural lip enhancement is both a science and art, and choosing the right injector for your procedure is key to ensuring your experience is as smooth as possible. Skilled injectors have extensive training and experience, and stay up to date with the latest advancements in the procedure. But mastery of technique is not all that matters. The best injectors also have an eye for aesthetics, allowing them to artfully craft results that complement each patient’s unique facial features and achieve their desired outcomes.

Ask friends and family members for personal recommendations. Read patient testimonials about practitioners online. Review before and after photos to find results you like. Make an appointment for a consultation to find out if you’re the right fit. The lips are one of the most delicate parts of the face as well as one of the face’s main focal points – careful consideration before undergoing lip augmentation is a must.