Subtle Lip Filler: A Complete Guide

If fuller, more voluptuous lips are high on your beauty wish list, lucky for you, you can have them. It’s quick and easy to transform thin lips into plump lips with a few injections of the right lip filler. So how do you get them and avoid the dreaded duck lip? It’s easier than you think. Choosing an injector whose aesthetic matches yours is a starting point. From there, it’s all about using the right lip filler and injection technique. Below, three experts share everything you need to know about how to get subtle lips.

Most people who opt for lip fillers want it to look natural and subtle as if they had nothing done. Injecting the lips and perioral area with hyaluronic acid fillers (a synthetic version of the moisturizing molecule found naturally in the skin and joints) is a quick and easy way to add moisture, shape and strength to the lips, according to Dr. Belkin. Hyaluronic acid-based lip fillers can subtly improve the shape and contour of the lips, eliminate any visible asymmetries and add natural fullness so your favorite lip oil looks that much better.

Beyond the physical enhancements lip fillers provide, there’s also an emotional component. Improved confidence comes with enhanced lips that look natural and complement the face.

Choosing the right Lip Filler

With so many filler types and brands available, it can be confusing to choose the right one. Each injectable filler has structural differences and a unique molecular weight. Some, such as biostimulant fillers, are unsuitable for use on the lips. It is only safe to inject hyaluronic acid into the lips. “It is also important for the treating physician to understand the characteristics of each product in order to make appropriate decisions,” says Dr. Leipziger. “I individualize the type of filler used based on the patient’s lip anatomy and desired goals. The most natural look is not always based on filler but more on proper injection techniques.”

Usually, Dr. Belkin injects the lips with either Restylane or Restylane Kysse, a blended version of Restylane he makes in his office, Vollure or Belotero: “Restylane is great because it provides some structure and usually stays where I put it. Kysse is similar but specifically for the lips so it’s a bit softer. Our blended Restylane is super light and thin, and I use it for the most conservative enhancement. For patients who are a little older, I like Belotero because it gives nice hydration without projection and is great for fine lines and wrinkles.”

When in doubt, he recommends asking your injector for a softer product, which tends to be more aesthetically forgiving than a firmer one.

Consultation and Preparation

The key to distinctive lip fillers is to choose the injector wisely and ensure that they can achieve the desired results. During your consultation, you’ll be able to communicate with them what you expect your lips to look like and what you don’t want them to look like. A consultation is a time to be honest and transparent with your dermatologist or plastic surgeon about what treatments or injections you’ve had on your lips before and what you liked or didn’t like about the results. “It’s also important to discuss any specific complaints, such as asymmetry,” adds Dr. Belkin. “I try not to encourage my patients to choose a lip from a celebrity menu because, ultimately, the best results come from leaning into the patient’s natural shape and enhancing what is already beautiful to them.”

In the days leading up to your lip filler appointment, there’s not much you can do to prep the lips other than avoid taking NSAIDs like Advil, multivitamins, and other supplements for about a week before to minimize bruising. Since there will likely be swelling or bruising after the injections, it’s best to schedule treatment when it works around your schedule.

The step by step process

Before taking a syringe to his patient’s lips, Dr. Belkin takes before pictures. “We discuss the goals of the process again. If it’s someone’s first visit, my assistant will write recommendations with the associated costs, so there are no surprises at the end.” Next, a nurse or physician’s assistant will clean the lips and surrounding areas and apply topical numbing cream to the lips (it stays on for about 30 minutes). Some doctors also ice the lips to further numb the lips and reduce bruising and swelling, while others use vibrating tools to distract from the discomfort.

Then it’s time for the actual injections, which take about 10 to 15 minutes. A small needle meticulously injects the filler of choice into the lips, which feels like a sting, sometimes mixed with a little burning or pressure. The lips are massaged, and as a final step, Dr. Leipziger says the injecting physician should carefully examine the placement of the lip filler to ensure there are no asymmetries.

“Unfortunately, we’ve all seen the results of overfilling in the media and on the street,” says Dr. Belkin. To avoid this, she recommends avoiding techniques that over-treat the dermal upper lip (the skin part of the lip) or the rostrum (the line between the skin and the pink part of the lips). And injecting just the right amount of filler is crucial to creating a natural, slim look. Dr. Leipziger shares that the amount of lip filler to be injected varies depending on the patient’s anatomy, lip shape, and desired appearance. “Not all lips are created equal. A thinner lip may need more filler compared to a thicker, fuller lip, which may require a little augmentation. Too much filler will result in unnatural and exaggerated lips, so it’s important to have an artistic sense create a natural look.’

Since the goal of lip filler is natural-looking lips, some doctors, such as Dr. a few appointments to get the right result.

Recovery and aftercare

Immediately after lip filler, your lips will look fuller, plumper and even bigger, possibly with a little tenderness, than you expected, and you will need to ice them for the next few hours to reduce swelling. Dr. Belkin says the lips will remain swollen for a few days after lip injections, steadily decreasing over the next week. “I also give oral arnica to patients who know they bruise frequently. Bruises can be lasered the next day (free of charge) to speed recovery if needed.”

Expected results

Lip fillers provide long-lasting results, but they are far from permanent. On average, you can maintain the added fullness and enhanced shape for six to 12 months. “For some people, depending on how dramatic their expression is and their biological makeup, lip filler may last a little less or a little longer,” adds Dr. Sobel. Another factor that causes some fillers to have more staying power than others is their crosslinking. “The cross-linking prevents the hyaluronic acid in the filler from breaking down quickly,” says Dr. Belkin. “Vollure is the longest-lasting filler because of the way it is cross-linked. It uses Vycross technology, a method exclusive to Allergan and used for some of the Juvéderm fillers.”

How to maintain your new lips

To maintain the results of the subtle lip filler, you’ll want to re-treat the lips frequently and use small doses of filler. “This way, we’re slowly maintaining and building the lips and not waiting for each treatment to finish,” shares Dr. Belkin. “After a few such sessions, I find that the results can last longer, in part because of the stimulation of collagen, which hyaluronic acid fillers have been shown to do.”

Risks you should be aware of

As with all elective cosmetic treatments, there are always potential risks that you should be aware of. Dr. Belkin explains that vascular occlusions can occur from accidentally placing the filler in an artery and blocking the blood supply to the lip or surrounding skin. “It’s very uncommon, but it does happen, so I recommend seeing a board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon for lip fillers. Your injector should be familiar with facial anatomy to avoid this complication and experienced enough to recognize it if it happens.” There is also the potential for asymmetry, injection site infection, nodules, and filler migration. Dr. Sobel says improperly injecting the lips can make them look too plump, unnatural, uneven, uneven, or rough. “It’s always best to use small increments at a time to avoid these situations.”