Hyaluronic acid lip fillers: shape, volume and treatment

Planning considers the upper and lower lips, the coloured part of the lips, the lip border, Cupid’s bow and their relationship to the surrounding skin. Sometimes clearer definition matters more than size. For others, the focus is on age-related volume changes or a difference between the two sides. Not every asymmetry needs to be completely corrected.

The position of the teeth, jaw proportions, existing scars and movement when speaking or smiling also influence appearance. Fine lines above the upper lip are a separate concern and are not automatically resolved by adding lip volume. The consultation therefore defines the change you want and what could bring it about.

Hyaluronic acid occurs naturally in the body. An injectable filler is nevertheless a manufactured product with specific properties, ingredients and risks. Products differ, for example, in firmness, cross-linking and behaviour within the tissue. Not every product is suitable for every area or use.

Product selection is guided by the examination findings, treatment goal and applicable product information. A brand name alone cannot tell you which option will give you the best result. Ask which product is planned, why it has been chosen and how the treatment will be documented. Information about previous fillers is particularly important.

The medical examination assesses the lips and face both at rest and in movement. Treatment goals, realistic limits, risks and alternatives are then discussed. A standard amount is not a suitable basis for planning. More filler does not automatically improve a result and can adversely affect proportions or movement.

After cleansing and disinfection, the product is introduced using a suitable injection technique. Needles and cannulas each have advantages and disadvantages depending on the situation; no technique rules out vascular complications. A staged approach may be appropriate. Any decision to add more later is made only after assessing how treatment has progressed.

Lips are sensitive. Local anaesthesia or a product containing an anaesthetic may reduce discomfort. The suitable option depends on factors including the product, allergies and planned treatment. Not every filler contains lidocaine, and lidocaine is not suitable for everyone.

Even with anaesthesia, you may feel needle pricks, pressure, burning or tenderness afterwards. A pain-free procedure cannot be promised. Sudden severe or increasing pain after an injection must not simply be dismissed as a normal side effect, particularly if it is accompanied by a change in skin colour.

Added volume is often visible early on. However, swelling can significantly alter the appearance immediately after treatment. Bruising and temporary differences between the two sides are also possible. A final assessment therefore requires a suitable interval after the injection and, where appropriate, a follow-up appointment.

Allow enough time before important work or personal events. An immediate return to all social activities without limitations cannot be promised. You will receive individual advice on cooling, care, physical exertion and pressure on the lips. Do not massage areas you can feel without consulting the clinician treating you.

The first step is to establish the timing, symptoms, product used and examination findings. Early swelling calls for a different approach from a contour irregularity that has persisted for some time. Not every concern should be corrected immediately with more injections. Treating a possible complication takes priority over shaping the lips.

Certain hyaluronic acid fillers can be broken down with hyaluronidase under suitable conditions. This is also a medical procedure with its own risks, including allergic reactions. Complete or even dissolution is not achievable in every situation; tissue damage that has already occurred is not automatically reversed.