Lip Filler in Richmond, BC Hyaluronic Acid Lip Injections

An appointment typically takes about 15 to 60 minutes, depending on the plan. It includes assessing your lips and face, topical numbing, the injections and a final check for balance. Numbing cream needs a little time to work, so allow time for the whole visit rather than the injection alone. Your physician explains what to expect at your consultation.

Lips are a sensitive area, so comfort is built into the visit. Topical numbing cream is applied beforehand, and many HA gels also contain lidocaine. You may feel pressure or a brief pinch while the gel is placed, and sensitivity varies from person to person. Tell your physician if you are uncomfortable at any point.

Swelling and tenderness are expected after lip filler. Swelling often peaks around the second day, then settles gradually, largely within several days and fully within about two weeks. Bruising, if it happens, may take about a week to fade. Lips can look larger or uneven while swollen, so judge the shape once swelling has gone down. Contact your physician about severe or one-sided pain.

Wait until the numbness has worn off before eating, and take care with very hot food and drinks. Avoid drinking through a straw for the first 24 hours, and avoid kissing or anything that presses on the lips for 1 to 2 days. Do not press or massage the lips yourself. Your physician may adjust this advice to suit your treatment.

Avoid touching, pressing or massaging the lips for 24 hours, and skip lip makeup for 24 to 48 hours. Avoid strenuous exercise, saunas, hot baths, strong sun and alcohol for 24 to 48 hours, because heat and alcohol can increase swelling and bruising. Avoid dental work for 2 weeks. Contact your physician about severe pain, lumps, skin whitening or vision changes.

You will see a change straight away, but early results include swelling. As it settles, usually over about two weeks, the shape, softness and symmetry become clearer. If an adjustment is needed, it is usually reviewed once swelling has gone down rather than during the first few days. Results vary between people.

Lip filler typically lasts about 6 to 9 months, though it can fade sooner for some people and last longer for others. Lips are mobile, so the soft gels used there tend to be absorbed faster than firmer gels in the chin or cheeks. Many people return for a touch-up as the result fades, and your physician advises on timing based on how your lips respond.

Natural-looking enhancement is the aim, and it depends on planning rather than volume alone. Your physician assesses your lip shape and facial proportions, uses small amounts placed gradually, and can add more at a later visit. Keeping the border soft and the upper and lower lip in proportion helps avoid an overfilled look. Results vary, and a specific appearance cannot be promised.

Yes. Hyaluronic acid filler can be broken down with an enzyme called hyaluronidase if the result needs adjusting, or in the rare case of a blocked blood vessel. Your physician advises whether dissolving is appropriate and when. This reversibility is one reason HA is a common choice for lips.

Lip filler adds volume and shape with hyaluronic acid gel. A lip flip uses a small amount of anti-wrinkle injection to relax the muscle around the upper lip so it rolls slightly outward; it does not add volume and wears off gradually as the muscle recovers. Your physician recommends which suits your lips after an assessment.

Filler is not expected to permanently stretch the lips. HA is absorbed gradually over months, and lips are expected to return gradually toward their starting shape. Concerns about stretching are usually linked to very large volumes or frequent repeat treatments, which is why planning is gradual and conservative. Your physician reviews how your lips respond before suggesting more.

Wait or speak with a physician first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have an active cold sore, rash or infection near the mouth, have dental work planned within 2 weeks, or have a known allergy to hyaluronic acid or lidocaine. Blood thinners, a bleeding disorder or an autoimmune condition also need discussion. If you get cold sores, tell your physician at consultation.