LIP FILLERS: THE COMPLETE UK GUIDE

AT A GLANCE

• What they are: Injectable hyaluronic acid gel that adds volume and shape to the lips
• Treatment time: 15–30 minutes
• Results last: 6–12 months (varies by product and metabolism)
• Cost: £150–£350 per syringe (0.5ml–1ml)
• Downtime: Swelling for 2–5 days; bruising possible
• Reversible? Yes — hyaluronic acid fillers can be dissolved

WHAT ARE LIP FILLERS?

Lip fillers are a type of dermal filler specifically designed for the delicate lip area. Most lip fillers used in UK clinics contain hyaluronic acid (HA) — a naturally occurring substance in your body that holds moisture and creates volume.

When injected into the lips, HA filler adds volume, defines the lip border, enhances the cupid's bow, and can correct asymmetry. The results are immediate, though you'll see the final outcome once swelling settles (usually within 1–2 weeks).

Popular lip filler brands in the UK include Juvederm (Volift, Volbella), Restylane (Kysse), Teosyal (Kiss), and Belotero. Your practitioner will recommend a product based on your goals — some are softer for subtle enhancement, others provide more structure and definition.

WHAT CAN LIP FILLERS ACHIEVE?

Lip fillers are versatile and can address a range of concerns:

• Add volume: Create fuller, plumper lips (subtle or dramatic, depending on preference)
• Enhance shape: Define the lip border, accentuate the cupid's bow, or create a specific lip shape
• Correct asymmetry: Balance uneven lips or correct natural imbalances
• Restore lost volume: Replace volume lost due to ageing (lips naturally thin over time)
• Smooth vertical lip lines: Reduce the appearance of fine lines around the mouth (though smoker's lines treatment with anti-wrinkle injections is often more effective for this)
• Hydrate: HA fillers attract water, giving lips a hydrated, healthy appearance

LIP FILLER TECHNIQUES: UNDERSTANDING YOUR OPTIONS

Not all lip filler treatments are the same. Different injection techniques create different results. Here are the main styles you'll hear about:

Classic Lip Filler

The traditional approach focuses on adding volume throughout the lips for an overall fuller look. Filler is injected horizontally along the lip body and border, spreading evenly for natural-looking plumpness. This technique is:

• Best for adding general volume and fullness
• Suitable for most lip shapes
• Creates a soft, natural result
• Good for first-timers wanting subtle enhancement

Russian Lip Technique

This technique has gained huge popularity on social media. Instead of projecting lips outward, Russian lips focus on creating height and a defined heart shape — like a 'doll-like' pout. The practitioner uses vertical injections from the base of the lip upward, concentrating volume in the centre.

Russian lips are characterised by:

• A pronounced cupid's bow
• More volume in the centre than the sides
• A lifted, structured appearance
• Flatter profile (height rather than projection)

Important: Russian lips work best on 'virgin lips' (no previous filler). If you have existing filler, it may need to be dissolved first. This technique also requires more precision and time, so ensure your practitioner has specific experience with it.

Other Styles You Might Hear About

• Cherry lips / Keyhole pout: Creates a small gap between the lips when relaxed, with rounded, berry-like fullness
• Cupid's bow enhancement: Focuses specifically on defining and sharpening the cupid's bow
• Hybrid approach: Many skilled practitioners blend techniques — for example, using vertical injections in the centre (Russian-style) with softer horizontal filling on the sides (classic)

A word of caution: Trends come and go. The best practitioners focus on what suits YOUR face and natural lip anatomy, rather than forcing a particular 'look'. A good consultation will discuss what's achievable and appropriate for your features.

LIP FLIP: A NON-FILLER ALTERNATIVE

Not sure you want filler? A lip flip uses a small amount of anti-wrinkle injection (Botox) along the upper lip border. This relaxes the muscle that pulls the lip inward, causing it to 'flip' slightly outward — creating the illusion of a fuller upper lip without adding volume.

A lip flip is ideal if you want a subtle enhancement, your upper lip 'disappears' when you smile, or you're nervous about filler. It's also commonly combined with lip filler for enhanced results.

WHAT TO EXPECT: BEFORE, DURING & AFTER

Before Your Appointment

• Avoid alcohol for 24 hours before (increases bruising risk)
• Avoid blood-thinning medications/supplements if possible (aspirin, ibuprofen, fish oil, vitamin E) — check with your practitioner
• Come with clean skin, no lip products
• Have realistic expectations — bring reference photos, but understand results depend on your anatomy

During Treatment

A numbing cream is usually applied 15–20 minutes beforehand (most modern lip fillers also contain lidocaine, a local anaesthetic). The injections themselves take 15–30 minutes. You'll feel pressure and pinching, but most people find it tolerable.

Your practitioner will inject small amounts at multiple points, massaging and moulding as they go. You'll be given a mirror to check progress and provide feedback.

After Treatment

Expect swelling. Your lips will look significantly larger immediately after treatment — this is normal and NOT your final result. Swelling peaks at 24–48 hours and typically subsides within 5–7 days.

Other normal side effects:

• Bruising (can last 7–10 days)
• Tenderness
• Small lumps (usually settle as filler integrates)
• Asymmetry (often temporary due to uneven swelling)

Aftercare tips: Apply ice to reduce swelling. Avoid strenuous exercise, alcohol, and excessive heat (saunas, hot baths) for 24–48 hours. Don't massage your lips unless advised. Sleep with your head elevated if possible.

HOW LONG DO LIP FILLERS LAST?

Most lip fillers last 6–12 months, though this varies based on:

• The product used: Some fillers are designed to last longer than others
• Your metabolism: Faster metabolisms break down filler more quickly
• Amount injected: Smaller amounts may fade faster
• Lifestyle factors: High activity levels and certain medications can affect longevity
• Treatment area: Lips move a lot (talking, eating, smiling), which can cause filler to break down faster than in less mobile areas

Most people return for a top-up every 6–9 months to maintain their results. Over time, with regular treatments, you may find you need less filler to achieve the same effect.

HOW MUCH DO LIP FILLERS COST IN THE UK?

Lip filler prices vary depending on the clinic, practitioner experience, product used, and location. As a general guide:

Note: Be wary of prices that seem too good to be true. Very cheap lip fillers may indicate an inexperienced practitioner, unregulated products, or inadequate clinical settings. Your safety is worth the investment.

CAN LIP FILLERS BE DISSOLVED?

Yes — this is one of the key advantages of hyaluronic acid fillers. If you're unhappy with your results, or if complications occur, the filler can be dissolved using an enzyme called hyaluronidase (brand name Hyalase).

Hyaluronidase breaks down hyaluronic acid, and your body naturally reabsorbs the dissolved material. Results are visible within 24–48 hours, with full effects in about a week.

Reasons people dissolve lip filler:

• Unhappy with the shape or size
• Lumps or unevenness
• Migration (filler moving outside the lip border)
• Wanting to start fresh with a different practitioner
• Medical complications (rare but serious issues like vascular occlusion require immediate dissolving)

Dissolving costs approximately £150–£300 in the UK. A patch test is usually required beforehand to check for allergic reactions.

Alternatively: If you simply want less filler, you can wait for it to dissolve naturally over 6–12 months.

RISKS AND SAFETY

Lip fillers are generally safe when performed by a qualified, experienced practitioner using licensed products. However, as with any medical procedure, there are risks:

Common Side Effects (temporary)

• Swelling, bruising, redness
• Tenderness and sensitivity
• Small lumps or unevenness (usually settles)

Less Common Risks

• Infection
• Cold sore reactivation (if you're prone to them)
• Allergic reaction
• Filler migration
• Persistent lumps or granulomas

Serious Complications (rare)

Vascular occlusion: If filler is accidentally injected into or compresses a blood vessel, it can block blood flow. This is a medical emergency requiring immediate treatment with hyaluronidase. Signs include severe pain, blanching (white patches), or unusual skin colour changes. This is why choosing a qualified practitioner who understands facial anatomy — and has access to hyaluronidase — is essential.

CHOOSING A SAFE PRACTITIONER

Your results (and safety) depend heavily on who performs your treatment. Here's what to look for:

1. Medical qualification: Look for doctors, dentists, nurses, or pharmacist prescribers with additional aesthetic training. In the UK, non-medical practitioners can legally inject fillers, but medical professionals have deeper anatomical knowledge and can manage complications.
2. Before-and-after photos: Review their portfolio. Do their results look natural? Do they match the style you're after?
3. Thorough consultation: A good practitioner will assess your face, discuss your goals, explain the procedure, and set realistic expectations. Be wary of anyone who rushes this.
4. Access to hyaluronidase: They should have dissolving enzyme on-site and know how to manage complications.
5. Proper clinical environment: Treatment should take place in a clean, professional setting — not someone's home or a salon back room.
6. Insurance: Professional indemnity insurance is a must.
7. Licensed products: They should use CE-marked or FDA-approved fillers and be transparent about what's being injected.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Do lip fillers hurt?

There's discomfort, but it's manageable. Numbing cream is applied beforehand, and most fillers contain local anaesthetic. Most people describe it as a pinching or stinging sensation rather than sharp pain.

How much filler do I need?

For first-timers, 0.5ml is often recommended for a subtle enhancement. 1ml provides a more noticeable result. Your practitioner will advise based on your starting point and goals. It's always better to start conservatively — you can add more later.

Can I wear lipstick after?

Wait at least 24 hours before applying lip products to reduce infection risk. After that, you're free to wear whatever you like.

Will people notice I've had filler?

That depends on how much you have and your natural lip size. Subtle enhancements (0.5ml) often go unnoticed — people may just think you look 'refreshed'. Larger amounts will be more obvious. A skilled practitioner will help you achieve results that suit your face.

What if I don't like the results?

Give it 2 weeks for swelling to settle before judging. If you're still unhappy, the filler can be dissolved. Alternatively, wait 6–12 months for it to naturally break down.

Are lip fillers safe during pregnancy?

Lip fillers are not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding, as there's insufficient research on safety.

READY TO BOOK?

All clinics on MARBL are vetted for qualifications, insurance, and clinical standards. Browse lip filler treatments to find a trusted practitioner, or jump straight to 0.5ml lip filler or 1ml lip filler and book with confidence.

Browse Lip Filler Treatments by Volume

• 0.5–0.7ml Lip Filler — subtle enhancement, ideal for first-timers
• 1ml Lip Filler — the most popular choice for noticeable but natural results
• 1.5–3ml Lip Filler — for more dramatic enhancement or building volume over sessions
• 4–5ml Lip Filler — significant augmentation (usually across multiple appointments)

Related Treatments

• Lip Flip — Botox alternative for a subtle upper lip enhancement
• Smoker's Lines Treatment — for vertical lines around the mouth
• Dermal Fillers — the complete guide to facial fillers
• Anti-Wrinkle Injections — Botox for expression lines

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