A first lip filler appointment can feel like a big step, even if you've been thinking about it for months. Most of the nerves come from not knowing what will happen, so let me walk you through it.
I lead the injectables side of the Group, and I believe the best lips are the ones that suit your face. Starting subtly is always wise, and a good practitioner will never rush you.
The consultation
Every first-time lip filler client has a consultation. Your practitioner looks at your lips alongside the rest of your face, talks through what you'd like and explains what's realistic. Filler can add volume, define the border, balance asymmetry or restore hydration, and it can be as subtle or as full as you like.
They'll also ask about your health. Please mention any medicines you take, including blood thinners, any history of cold sores, and any filler you've had before. By law, lip filler is only available to people aged 18 and over.
On the day
Come with clean lips and no lipstick, and avoid alcohol and vitamin E supplements for 24 hours beforehand. If you take a prescribed blood thinner, tell us rather than stopping it yourself.
Numbing cream goes on for 15 to 20 minutes, then the filler is placed with a fine needle or cannula. The treatment takes around 20 to 30 minutes, and you'll see a difference straight away. We use hyaluronic acid fillers, which have an important safety benefit: if needed, they can be dissolved.
Not sure which treatment is right for you?
Answer five quick questions and we will suggest where to start, at the clinic nearest you.
Swelling and aftercare
Lips swell more than other areas, so two to five days of swelling is normal, and bruising is possible. Your lips may look bigger or slightly uneven at first, which is why we judge the final result at around two weeks.
- Avoid kissing, straws and strenuous exercise for 24 hours.
- Leave a few days before any important event, so swelling and any bruising can settle.
- Contact the clinic straight away if anything worries you, such as increasing pain or a change in the colour of the skin.
How long it lasts
Lip filler typically lasts six to twelve months. Lips move all the time, so they break filler down faster than other areas of the face. Many people start with a small amount and add more later if they want to.
Lip filler or lip blush?
Lip blush is a different treatment altogether. It's a semi-permanent make-up technique that places soft pigment into the lips to enhance their natural colour and define the border, giving the look of fuller lips without adding volume. Olivia, our semi-permanent make-up specialist, carries it out at Chichester, Petersfield and Eastergate.
Lip blush needs a consultation and patch test at least 72 hours before, and the appointment takes about two hours. The colour looks stronger at first and softens as your lips heal over the following weeks, with a top-up at six to eight weeks. If you're planning both, avoid lip filler for four weeks before lip blush.
For a long upper lip, filler can restore some shape and volume, and lip blush can define the border. A surgical lip lift with Mr Coombes, our consultant facial plastic surgeon, is another option, and your practitioner can explain them all.
Who should wait
We'll ask you to wait if you're pregnant or breastfeeding, have a cold sore or infection on or around your lips, or are unwell. Lip filler is available at Chichester, Petersfield and Eastergate, and your consultation decides what's suitable for you.
Questions clients ask
Does lip filler hurt?
Numbing cream goes on first. Lips are sensitive, so some discomfort is normal, and your practitioner will check you're comfortable throughout.
How much filler should I have the first time?
Starting small is usually wise. Half a millilitre gives a subtle change and one millilitre more noticeable volume, and you can always add more later.
Will it look natural?
Our practitioners focus on enhancing your natural lip shape, and you can build gradually over more than one appointment if you prefer.
What if I don't like the result?
Give the swelling time to settle, which can take up to two weeks, then talk to your practitioner. Hyaluronic acid filler can be dissolved if needed.
About the author
Tanisha Allen
Group Founder, Skin Expert
Founded the Group and still treats clients across its clinics. Leads the injectables side, teaches at the Academy and assists in the Group’s cosmetic plastic surgery.
More about TanishaRelated concerns: Lips, Long Upper Lip
This guide is general information, not medical advice. Results vary from person to person, and your practitioner will check what is suitable for you at your consultation.
