We understand that you have questions about injectables for lip augmentation, and our Waterloo, ON, resident expert is here for you.
Do you wish your lips were fuller?
It’s natural for lips to lose fullness over time as we age or are exposed to sun damage. Perhaps you inherited thin lips that you’d love to infuse with more volume, or you’ve been dreaming about a fuller pout. Our skilled, experienced Beauty Nurse® team understands the importance of natural, beautiful results.
This month, we asked our expert Nurse Injector Majid R.N., all your most pressing questions about lip injections. Read on to learn more about how to choose the right injections, what to expect, and how to maximize amazing results!
Q: What should I expect during my lip augmentation consultation?
Firstly, I’ll warmly greet you and introduce myself! Then I’ll offer you a cup of tea or coffee. Once you’re comfortable, I’ll ask some questions about your medical history and what your expectations and goals are for your treatment. I’ll answer any questions you have and give you more information on what to expect; the advantages of HA (Hyaluronic Acid) based fillers, risks, and complications. After this, I’ll assess your lips to consider what’s possible. We’ll make a unique plan together to get the results you want. Then we’ll discuss the process and what comes next. At this point in the consultation, some patients are ready to move ahead, and others need more time to consider their options and to think about what they want. We support you on your journey and understand that each patient has to make these decisions on their own timeline!
Q: What does the actual injection process look like?
If you’re ready to move ahead at this point, I’ll get your consent for treatment and photos so we can compare results. I’ll numb your lips, wipe the treatment area, gently lower the head of the chair, and we’ll begin injections. We usually start with the upper lip. I always massage the lips after injections to help encourage a better shape and to effectively move the filler into the body of the lip; this makes lips smooth and helps prevent any lumps.
This lip augmentation process is very similar to the dermal filler process for other parts of your face. Dermal fillers can often complement your lip filler results, so be sure to talk to us about your overall goals.
Q: What can I expect after treatment?
Once your lip injection treatment is complete, I’ll usually give you an ice pack to reduce any swelling that may occur. Before you leave I’ll give you an aftercare card so you will know exactly how to care for your lips and maximize results.
Q: Is there anything I need to do to prepare ahead of time?
If you take any blood thinners or medications that affect circulation, I may ask you to stop it for a week before treatment—if not ordered by your doctors to avoid bleeding and bruising. Some examples include fish oils or omegas, Advil®, ibuprofen, Aleve®, or other blood thinners. You’ll want to avoid red wine for the 3 to 4 nights leading up to treatment as this thins the blood as well. If you have dental work done, you’ll need to leave a 2-week gap, and if you have a history of cold sores on your lips, I may recommend an antiviral medication two days before treatment or beginning on the day of treatment.
Q: How long does the filler last, and how often should I come back?
The length of results differs with each patient. The time it takes for a filler to subside depends on your metabolic rate, the type of filler used, and other factors. A lip filler may last from 6 months up to one year—in some cases, results last for 15 months!
I use Hyaluronic Acid (HA) based fillers to do lip treatments. I can also use softer fillers which have less concentration, or a filler with a higher HA concentration. Your body naturally absorbs HA, so a filler that is thicker with a higher HA percentage will last longer. Thinner fillers with a lower HA percentage will dissolve more quickly.
You can see some of the results our patients enjoy with lip augmentation and other injectables by browsing through our before-and-after photo gallery.
Q: Does lip augmentation hurt?
To be honest, I’ve never had a lip treatment, but I’m very sensitive to my patient’s comfort and their experience. Some of my clients have said they feel nothing, while others felt pain or discomfort but found it tolerable. We always prioritize comfort and safety while optimizing beautiful results. I will say that this experience is different for every patient; some people feel pain differently than others. The lip area is especially sensitive, so lip injections may be more painful than injections in other areas of the face.
I usually apply a numbing agent (numbing cream) on the patient’s lips and wait for 15 to 20 minutes until the lips feel numb. I’ve only had two patients who received injections and declined numbing cream; one was very tolerant, and the other chose to numb using an ice cube.
It’s good to know that, usually, a numbing agent (Lidocaine) is mixed with the HA, so when I inject the filler into someone’s lips, they gradually feel numbness. This can help make the treatment less painful. Any client sensitivities or allergies to any numbing agents will be discussed beforehand.
Q: How much filler is recommended for first-timers?
Depending on someone’s lip volume and their expectations from a filler treatment, I may inject the whole syringe (1.0 mL) or just slightly less. On occasion, I have clients with very thin lips. These clients may need another 1 to 2 lip treatments to gradually add more volume, for a more natural result. You can read more about how we ensure natural-looking, appealing results in this related blog post.
Q: What if my lips don’t need a whole syringe? Can I purchase half of a syringe?
During your consultation, we will discuss the type of result you are looking for and determine approximately the amount of filler that will need to be used. It is, of course, possible to use less than a whole syringe for your lip enhancement, but it’s not possible to buy less than a whole syringe. There are a few reasons for this. First, in order to achieve a noticeable and natural aesthetic result, generally, we find that at least one whole syringe is needed. Using less simply results in an under correction, a disappointed patient, and a predictable return to the clinic for a top-up procedure a week or two later.
There are, of course, exceptions. When less than a full syringe is enough to provide your desired result, there are options for the remainder of the syringe. It can be placed in the other lip to achieve balance, or it can be injected elsewhere such as the cheek, the nose, or anywhere else it may be helpful.
The only things we cannot do with the leftover part of the syringe is to store it for later use or resell it to use it on another patient. According to the manufacturers and Health Canada, there is no safe, effective way to store the leftover product once the sterile seal has been broken. So we do not store or reuse open syringes. We always strive to provide our patients with beautiful results that are achieved in the safest manner possible.
Q: Will my lips feel weird afterward?
Having numb lips may provide a strange sensation—some clients say that their lips feel puffy from the numbing. Following treatment, your lips may be numb for 30 minutes to several hours. When the numbness subsides, you may feel some soreness and can take a Tylenol to lessen discomfort. Patients should avoid Advil and similar painkillers, which can thin the blood and cause bruising. Once you’ve healed, your lips should feel relatively normal.
Q: How much does lip augmentation cost?
The cost varies based on your goals, the amount of filler used, and the specifics of the treatment you choose. The starting cost is generally approximately $650. By choosing an expert injector, you’ll be sure to maximize beautiful, personalized results.
Q: What else should I know to avoid following lip injections?
- Avoid putting on lipstick for 24 hours following treatment.
- As we discussed, any blood thinners (like Advil), and alcohol should be avoided.
- Please don’t drink hot beverages right after treatment as this can encourage bruising; let it cool off first, or enjoy your iced latte instead!
- No matter how great your results are, no heavy kissing for the first day following treatment!
- I recommend sleeping on your back for the first few nights. Sleeping on your side may cause the product to move or encourage asymmetrical results if your lips are pushed to the side by your pillow.
- Avoid the sun for 2 to 3 days if possible.
- Do not exercise for 1 to 2 days; it can cause more swelling.
Ready to take a step forward and explore the possibilities for fuller lips? Whatever your vision for lip augmentation, we’re here to make it a reality! You can contact us using our online form or call us at (519) 746-1132 to book a consultation today.
