Lip filler

Most lip filler used in the United States is hyaluronic acid gel. Hyaluronic acid is a substance your body already makes. In filler, it is processed into a gel that holds water and takes up space. Placing that gel in different parts of the lip adds volume and changes its outline.

The FDA approves fillers product by product. Approval means the FDA found evidence supporting that product's use in a specified area and patient group. It does not cover every use of that brand.

Thin lips. An uneven outline. Fine lines above your mouth. Those are different concerns to bring to a consult.

Lip filler is used to add volume and adjust the lip border. Some products, including Juvederm Volbella XC and Restylane Silk, are FDA-approved for lines around the mouth. An approval for lip volume does not automatically cover those lines.

Filler does not relax lip muscles or remove loose skin. If you are still sorting out what bothers you, start with lips.

The person holding the syringe examines your lips and asks about your medical history. Bring a list of medicines and details of any previous filler. Explain the change you want before discussing an amount.

Numbing cream may be used. A dental block is another option. That is an injection that numbs the area around the lips. The filler is then injected in small amounts at selected points.

Filler is measured in syringes. Using part of a syringe is normal. You do not have to use the whole syringe because it has been opened. Ask how unused filler is handled.

Lip filler takes 30 minutes to two hours. Confirm the full appointment length, including the consult and numbing.

Swelling can change the outline during the first days. A review around two weeks checks healing and gives you a chance to discuss any concerns. A review need not mean another injection.

• Juvederm: Ultra XC and Volbella XC's lip effects lasted up to one year with the treatment used in their studies.
• Restylane: Kysse's effects lasted up to one year in studies. Silk's U.S. study found added lip fullness through six months.

An early touch-up can be part of the treatment behind those timelines.

Do not treat the longest advertised duration as a refill date. The visible effect can fade while some filler remains in the tissue.

Swelling and bruising are common. Tenderness and redness can happen too. Many reactions settle within days to weeks. Some last longer. Returning to work and being comfortable with how your lips look are separate questions.

Less common problems include infection and lumps that need treatment. Some reactions appear well after the appointment.

Rarely, filler can block a blood vessel. This is called vascular occlusion. It can cause tissue death. Accidental injection into facial blood vessels has also caused blindness and stroke. Some damage can be permanent.

Unusual pain, vision changes, or skin turning white, gray, or blue need immediate medical attention. They should not wait for the review.

Hyaluronic acid filler can be dissolved with an injected enzyme called hyaluronidase. Dissolving filler does not guarantee that every complication can be reversed.

A past life-threatening allergic reaction can rule out treatment. So can multiple severe allergies. Allergies to the numbing medicine lidocaine or certain bacterial proteins used to make the filler can also rule out a product.

Some products also rule out people with bleeding disorders. Treatment is postponed for infection or active inflammation near the injection site.

Safety during pregnancy or breastfeeding has not been established. FDA-approved lip uses are for adults 22 and older.

Tell your provider about cold sores and blood thinners. Injections can reactivate cold sores. Blood thinners can increase bruising or bleeding. These need a discussion before booking.

• Who will hold the syringe, and what active Arizona license do they have?
• Which product would you use, and how much?
• Is hyaluronidase kept on site?
• Who handles a complication, including after hours?
• What does the two-week check cover, and is it included?

The price depends on the product, the number of syringes, and your provider. Ask for a written total tied to the proposed amount.

Do not assume a smaller amount means the same reduction in price.

Check whether the quote includes the consult, numbing, and review.

This is a guide, not medical advice. Whether a treatment is right for you is a decision for a licensed provider who has examined you.