How to Choose a Lip Filler

All fillers are not created equal. The right one for you will depend on a number of factors, such as your natural lip structure and shape and what you would like your lips to look like after fillers. Choose an experienced and reputable provider for your lip fillers, then use this guide to help you explain your goals and decide on a filler with the help of your physician.

Which Lip Areas Do You Want to Change?

People choose to get lip fillers for different reasons, so the first step is to consider your natural lip shape, size, and features, and decide which specific area(s) you’d like to address. Familiarize yourself with some of the basic lip anatomy terms, and use them to help you describe to your injector what you want to achieve through fillers.

For example, if you naturally have thinner lips and want a fuller pout, a stiffer product that can help to create structure along the vermilion border, or lip line, to build upon may be best. On the other hand, if you already have fuller lips and want slight augmentation to the body of your lips, a softer product will be more suited to your needs.

Juvéderm® Vollure works well for the body of the lip, since it is very soft and is made up of both short chains and long chains of hyaluronic acid, which helps it to last longer than regular Juvéderm® Ultra filler.
Restylane® Silk is a stiffer product, making it ideal for the vermilion border and changing your lip shape.
If you want to erase the “bar code” lines above your upper lip, a product like Belotero® is best. Belotero is the softest of these fillers and therefore won’t cause your upper lip to curl upward and cause a “trout pout” look.
Restylane Refyne has been designed to be stretchier and take into consideration the movements of your lips, rather than just static results.

Discuss your options with your provider to help you understand more about the differences between each one and which will give you the results you’re looking for.

Think about Down Time

No matter which filler you choose, expect to have some minimal down time after your appointment. Restylane Silk tends to swell the most out of the fillers mentioned above, but it doesn’t typically cause as much bruising as other fillers might. Juvéderm® Vollure is more likely to cause bruising, but it generally causes little, if any, swelling.

Avoid going out in the sun, drinking alcohol, eating salty foods, heavy exercise, and other activities that will get your blood pressure up for 48 hours after your appointment. This will help to reduce bruising and swelling.

How Much Filler Do You Need?

Patients often ask, “how many syringes will it take to achieve my goals?” Work with your doctor to help you decide. Too much filler can look fake and lead to the dreaded “duck lips.” The amount of filler needed will also depend on your natural lip structure, size and features. Usually, less is more. You can always come back and add more filler, but if you start with too much, you may have to have it dissolved (if it’s hyaluronic acid). Otherwise, you’ll have to wait for the product to wear off, which can take several months or even a year or more, depending on the product.

In Summary

Consider your natural lip structure and your aesthetic goals when working with your doctor to decide on the right lip filler.

For more information, advice, and how-to videos on fillers, cosmetic treatments, and skincare, don’t forget to follow Baumann Cosmetic Dermatology on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

Blog