Not loving your lips? Just wanting a new look? There are plenty of ways to change the appearance of your lips beyond makeup and risky surgeries.
Below, we explain some of the most popular and trendy lip filler styles and what you can expect if you decide to get the look.
Lip Fillers
What are lip fillers?
Lip fillers are a temporary, nonsurgical way to add volume and definition to the lips. During a lip filler procedure, a medical provider injects a hyaluronic acid (HA) material like Juvederm or Restylane in strategic parts of the lips to create a visible change in line with the patient’s goals.
Lip filler results timeline
Lip fillers do not produce their final result instantly. It takes two or three weeks to see the full results of your lip filler, and those results typically last anywhere from 4 months to 12 months depending on the filler used, your lip size to start, and how well you care for your lips after the procedure.
Since hyaluronic acid fillers use a substance that naturally occurs in the body, the body eventually metabolizes them over time. Your lip filler may last a longer or shorter amount of time depending on your personal metabolism, activity level, and which filler you use. Talk to your injector for tips on how to prolong the duration of your lip filler.
Lip Flips
What is a lip flip?
A lip flip is a neurotoxin injection used to create the appearance of a fuller upper lip. A medical provider injects neurotoxin into the muscle around the upper lip that is responsible for curling the lip under. Injecting here allows the muscle to relax and “flip” the lip outward. Often lip flips are less expensive than dermal fillers because they use only a few units of neurotoxin.
Lip flip results timeline
It usually takes 10 to 14 days to see the full results of a lip flip. For most patients, results last about 6-8 weeks.
Gummy Smile Correction
What is a gummy smile correction?
A gummy smile correction treatment is a great solution for patients looking to reduce the visibility of their gums when they smile. During this procedure, 4-20 units of a neurotoxin such as Botox or Dysport are placed into the muscles near the nostrils to relax the elevation of the lip.
Gummy smile results timeline
A gummy smile correction usually takes 10 to 14 days to settle and lasts about 3 months. This treatment is often paired with a lip flip.
Pillowy Lips
What are pillowy lips?
Pillowy lips can be different things to different people, but they are usually full, soft, smooth, and balanced in proportion. At a medical spa, you can achieve pillowy lips using lip injections.
The look works best when the lower lip is up to a third larger than the upper, slightly depressed in the center, and more pillowy on the sides. The best providers can also help define the lip edges to create a glossy effect.
Pillowy lips results timeline
Since pillowy lips are created with lip fillers, they follow the same timeline. Depending on the filler material and your metabolism, you can expect your pillowy lips to finalize their appearance a couple of weeks after the procedure and last four to twelve months.
Cherry Lips
What are cherry lips?
Cherry lips are a lip filler style where the provider focuses on filling in the middle part of the lips rather than the outer corners. Providers use tiny droplets of filler to add rounder definition to the cupid’s bow area. The overall effect is somewhat cherry-shaped with a rounded volume that dips down in the center.
Cherry lips are especially popular in South Korea, but many people in the U.S. prefer this look as well. Depending on the patient’s goals, the cherry lips technique can be used to create natural-looking volume and dimension.
Cherry lips results timeline
Depending on the person and the filler used, cherry lips can last anywhere from a few months to a year. As with most of the other lip augmentation techniques on this list, cherry lips are usually created with hyaluronic acid fillers and therefore have a similar timeline.
Lip injection FAQS
How long do lip fillers last?
Most lip fillers last 3-12 months, depending on the person. Hyaluronic acid fillers such as Juvederm and Restylane are naturally dissolved by the body over time and will slowly return to their original shape unless you get touch-ups.
Will lip fillers ruin your lips?
Most fillers are temporary, safe, and can be reversed or naturally dissolved over time. However, permanent fillers like silicone can be risky, especially if the body responds with inflammation or an infection occurs. Regardless of which filler is used, it’s important to choose a qualified and experienced provider to avoid mistakes.
How do you prep for lip fillers?
We generally recommend avoiding blood-thinning over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen, aspirin, Aleve, and Motrin for a week prior to your lip filler appointment if you can. You may want to hold off on supplements like Vitamin E, fish oil, ginkgo, ginseng, and St. John’s Wort as well.
To reduce the chance and duration of bruising, we recommend taking Arnica a few days prior to your appointment.
Do not drink alcoholic beverages for 24 hours prior to your appointment. On the day of your treatment session, arrive with a washed face and without makeup.
How much do lip fillers usually cost?
Depending on the provider you choose and the area where you live, standard lip fillers can cost anywhere from $600 to over $1,000. Smaller procedures such as lip flips may cost substantially less. Before comparing prices, be sure to check that each provider you are considering is an experienced, licensed medical professional such as a physician assistant or nurse practitioner.
At Beauty Boost Med Spa in Newport Beach, CA, we currently charge $750 for a lip boost, $250 for a lip line boost, and $150 for a lip flip or gummy smile correction (with discounts if you are adding onto another treatment).
What is the after-care for lip fillers?
After your filler session, you can take acetaminophen such as Tylenol if necessary, although you should not experience more than mild discomfort as a result of the procedure. At Beauty Boost, our lip boost procedures come with a numbing shot so the procedure is 100% pain free.
Ideally, you should avoid lip makeup for 24 hours and strenuous exercise for 48-72 hours after you get lip fillers, as elevated blood pressure and heart rate could make any swelling or bruising worse. You will want to avoid any activities that cause you to stretch the mouth wide like taking large bites of food, going to the dentist, or smiling really big. Avoid massaging the lips, even if you feel bumps, as this is likely swelling.
Where can I get lip fillers in Orange County?
Beauty Boost Med Spa in Newport Beach is all about boosting your natural beauty. We specialize in cosmetic injectables like lip fillers, Botox, dermal fillers, Sculptra, and more. Our consultations are complimentary and commitment-free. We look forward to meeting you and helping you achieve your aesthetic goals!
