Is lip filler safe? The short answer is yes, they are generally considered safe! Many celebrities have tried lip fillers and enhanced their beauty even further. The world-renowned media personality Kylie Jenner famously stated in an interview with Homme Girls that getting lip fillers was one of the best decisions she had ever made.
According to Jenner, it was a way to boost her confidence, especially for her who always felt insecure about her lips. You can hear hundreds of testimonials from celebrities, but they often opt for the most sought-after medical experts and the most expensive procedures, making them a guaranteed safe bet. The real question is, is lip filler safe for those who want to do it at a reasonable price at a cosmetology centre in their city?
There was a time when fillers and botox were reserved for celebrities or people who were atrociously wealthy. But things have changed, and there are a lot of cosmetology centers where you can get these procedures done. According to FMI, there has been a formidable 60% rise in lip augmentation procedures since 2000. The market size in 2024 was just short of $520 million and the 10 year projection is around $740 million.
With lip filler procedures becoming more affordable and accessible, concerns about its safety and durability linger in your mind. What if it creates side effects? What if you spend a good amount of money only to realise it goes away in a couple of months?
It is difficult to get an honest opinion from someone who has already done it, as usually, people don’t talk openly about lip fillers and other cosmetic surgeries.
In this blog, we will try our best to explain in detail about lip fillers and to answer your questions:
- What do fillers do?
- Are lip fillers safe?
- How long do lip fillers really last?
What Are Lip Fillers?
As you age, your lips may become smaller or thinner. The philtrum, which is the groove between your upper lip and nose, may lengthen and flatten. Also, the intercommissural distance, which is the distance between the corners of your mouth, may widen. It’s also common for wrinkles to develop on the sides of your mouth. Sometimes, one of your lips might be smaller than the other. All these issues could easily be corrected using lip fillers.
Lip augmentation using fillers is a procedure done to aesthetically enhance the volume and shape of your lips. It adds a significant amount of definition to the appearance of your lips to give you an attractive lip profile. It is done by injecting a substance called filler using an ultra-thin needle into any or all parts of your lips including the vermillion border.
Lip filler is a desirable augmentation option since it is a non-surgical and less invasive procedure. Plus the procedure allows a fast recovery and you can go about your life without you having to take any time off from your life.
Lip fillers can also help you deal with a number of related issues. Fuller and defining lips you get using fillers can correct any kind of asymmetry and define the vermillion border. It also helps you reduce the appearance of fine lines around the mouth.
Is The Lip Filler Procedure Safe?
If you’re new to lip fillers, knowing what to expect can ease any apprehension and unnecessary worries. Here’s a step-by-step overview of the process:
- Consultation: You will usually begin with a consultation with a qualified practitioner to discuss your augmentation goals, evaluate your facial anatomy, and determine the most suitable treatment plan. This is also the time to ask questions and address any concerns.
- Preparation: Before the procedure, the practitioner will clean the area and may apply a numbing cream to minimize discomfort. Some fillers also contain lidocaine, a local anaesthetic, for added comfort.
- Injection: Using an ultra-fine needle or cannula, the practitioner will inject the filler into specific areas of the lips. The procedure typically takes 10-20 minutes.
- Aftercare: After the treatment, you may experience mild swelling or bruising, although this is unlikely in most cases. Applying an ice pack and avoiding strenuous activities for 24-48 hours can help reduce these effects.
Are The Substances Used In Lip Fillers Safe?
Lip filler predominantly consists of hyaluronic acid (HA) which is a naturally occuring substance in your body. HA is gooey and slippery in texture and it is mainly found in eyes and joints of the human body, acting as a lubricant between the moving bones and muscles. It also increases hydration and makes the skin flexible. You might have understood why lip fillers use HA.
Injecting HA-based filler products naturally hydrates your lips and HA molecules help water molecules to latch on, making it a great absorbent of water. Hyaluronic acid’s chain-like structure allows it to function as a supportive scaffold, promoting tissue growth. This naturally gives your lips a plump and hydrated appearance.
Cosmetic treatment providers use different brands of lip fillers, including Juvederm®, Restylane® and Perlane®. These brands develop specialised fillers for each part of the face and are 100% clinically tested. For example, Juvederm® uses two sets of collections, Volbella® XC and Ultra XC as lip fillers. Navigating their official websites gives you an idea of how safe the brand is for you, especially in regards to any allergies you have.
Is Lip Filler Safe?
The short answer is, yes. As we mentioned above, the lip fillers used by qualified cosmetologists are of top international brands that are clinically tested. Since the main constituent is something that’s naturally found in the body, the chances of side effects are bare. However, as with any medical procedure, there are risks and considerations to keep in mind. Typically, the success and safety of lip augmentation using fillers depends on:
- The qualification and experience of the cosmetologist.
- The effectiveness of the pre-procedure consultation.
- The lip filler brand used.
- Your metabolism, allergies, and medical history.
First and foremost, it’s crucial to choose a licensed and experienced practitioner who understands facial anatomy and uses high-quality products. Qualified dermatology clinics adhere to stringent safety standards and employ board-certified consultant dermatologists to ensure the best results. You can always ask questions on safety during your initial consultation to get a personalised answer.
A qualified professional always evaluates if your skin and body are suitable for a lip filler procedure. They would ask what your aesthetic aspirations are, and how you want your lips to be featured. This would help them to understand what is the best way to do the procedure, especially the volume of filler to be used and the areas that need injection.
Most qualified professionals use globally recognised brands for their lip fillers. During your pre-procedure consultation, you can ask your cosmetologist what brand they are planning to use. You can then go to the brand’s official website and search for allergen advice. It is also worth checking if you are allergic to hyaluronic acid as it’s the primary ingredient in fillers.
Undergoing the procedure under a non-qualified cosmetologist comes with the risk of an unintentional injection into the blood vessel. This might result in temporary scabs, vision abnormalities, and scarring of the skin. Even though the chances of this happening are very small, better safe than sorry by availing services of certified and experienced specialists.
Lip fillers may not be suitable for everyone. If you are someone who is pregnant, breastfeeding or has certain medical conditions such as active infections or bleeding disorders, you should consult your doctor before considering the procedure. Usually, all top brands are not clinically tested for adults under 22 years of age so if you are someone under 21, you should consult the specialist before undergoing the augmentation procedure.
You cannot overlook some minor side effects in the form of minor swelling, redness and bruising that persists up to a few days after the procedure. The most common side effect is the swelling of your lips which will mostly only last around 24 to 48 hours. You don’t need to worry about how long lip fillers take to heal, as your cosmetologist will typically schedule a follow-up check to monitor your progress.
After the procedure, it is beneficial to follow these steps to avoid any long-term side effects:
- Place an ice pack on your lips for up to 10 minutes to minimize inflammation, pain, and swelling.
- Avoid using lipstick, lip balm, or any other products on your lips for at least 24 hours.
- It might be tempting, but do not touch or purse your lips. That includes activities like kissing or sipping through a straw.
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. It also helps maintain the plumpness of the filler.
- Avoid any physical exercise for at least 24 hours.
How Long Do Lip Fillers Last?
If you are someone who’s looking for a lip filler procedure, you might wonder, ‘’how long do lip fillers last for the first time?’’ You would want results to last as long as you want. If you’re someone who has already done a lip filler procedure and might have asked yourself, ‘’Why don’t my lip fillers last?’’ Well, there must be a good reason.
Given the ease of the whole procedure and what you invest, financially and yourself, lip fillers are long-lasting. Typically, lip fillers last 1-2 years. To be more accurate, it depends on a number of factors:
- The brand of lip filler used.
- Metabolism of your body.
- The skill of your cosmetologist.
- Your lifestyle.
Various brands of lip fillers promise different numbers in terms of durability but most of them offer a duration of at least one year. We have noticed that Juvederm® lasts slightly longer than Restylane®. While the former is best for volumizing lips, the latter is best for smoothing fine lines around the mouth. It’s really a trade-off between what you want to achieve with the durability offered.
Hyaluronic acid is something that is easily metabolized by your body, which is the most important reason why it is safe to be injected. If you are younger, your body will naturally have a higher metabolic rate and there is a chance of the lip fillers breaking down and dissolving more quickly. This is because the body’s natural processes work faster to absorb and eliminate the hyaluronic acid used in fillers.
Besides age, longevity of lip fillers depends on your lifestyle as well. If you are someone who exercises regularly or does a job that is physically more demanding, your body’s metabolism might be on the higher side. This would consequently reduce the lifespan of the filler. On the other hand, if you have a slower metabolism, the fillers would not be easily absorbed by your body and would last longer.
If you want the lip fillers to last longer, you need to be mindful of what your lips are exposed to. If you are a regular smoker, it’s bad for your lips anyway. If you’re using fillers, smoking accelerates their breakdown. You can expect similar consequences with alcohol consumption as well, as it causes your body to dehydrate excessively. Exposure to ultraviolet rays, basically sunlight, is also a cause of degradation. You might want to avoid excessive exposure to sunlight if you recently got your procedure done.
The most important factor is the expertise of the lip filler cosmologist. You want your specialist to have a deep understanding of facial anatomy and know how to place the fillers in the right areas on the lips to achieve the desired look and ensure longevity. If the placement is not precise, there is a chance of fillers migrating to other parts, rendering the entire procedure useless.
An expert cosmetologist makes sure the filler is distributed evenly so that any lumps or irregularities are avoided. Not only does it ensure proper integration, it is essential for the fillers to last longer.
Are Fillers Bad For You Long Term?
Are fillers dangerous if you use it over a long period of time? A 2020 Harvard article reiterates that finding the right specialist is the key. As long as you’re in the hands of a board-certified qualified cosmetologist, lip fillers are usually safe even in the long term. Jennifer G Sullivan, a columnist for The Cut, has stated that she’s gotten over multiple filler procedures done over the past 10 years and has never felt any issues. Sullivan stresses the fact that safety depends on the dermatologist you choose.
In the end, it’s not just about the procedure but the expertise of the technician performing the lip fillers that truly matters. With the right specialist, lip fillers are completely safe. Combined with a proper lifestyle, they can deliver stunning, long-lasting results. However, it’s always important to have a clear understanding of the procedure and the steps you need to take to ensure safety and longevity. If you’re ready to enhance your lips with a more aesthetic look, book a consultation with us today, and let our experienced team guide you through your lip filler journey.