Lip fillers... arguably the biggest beauty trend of the 2010s since Kylie Jenner revealed to us the secret of her perfect pout..
I'm going to start out this post by saying I am a BIG believer in if you don't like something, fix it. You only get one life to live so if you're unhappy in any way, analyze what's making you unhappy and change it. Appearance is no exception! When you look good you feel good. So investing in beauty, as long as you're doing it solely for YOURSELF and no one (I really do mean no one) else, it is worth it. Also, it is an absolute must that whatever you choose to do is done in a smart and healthy way. No shortcuts allowed on this one (sorry!) You all are beautiful beings no matter what and deserve the best of the best treatment, never forget that!
If you've been with me for awhile you may remember my post on hair extensions. Let's just say I've done a lot for appearance and feel that it is so important to share my experience! I love every trendy beauty experience I've been through. It is true that it is an investment but anything that improves your quality of life is worth the price (within reason of course). Now let's get into it. Here is the real truth on lip fillers:
To Start...
In my personal opinion, I believe lip fillers are worth what you pay for them. And not just worth it in a superficial way. I mean yes, of course when you leave your aesthetician you literally feel like a reality TV star. However, when done correctly they will last for AWHILE. Due to 'rona it's been 14 months since my last touch-up and I STILL notice my lips are more plump than my virgin pre-injected lips.
Here is the truth on some other common lip filler questions I get asked:
Does the injection process hurt?
In short: yes. Needles hurt and the procedure is done with them. Your aesthetician will numb your lips, which helps tremendously, but the area is still sensitive and you'll feel some of the process. There are only a few spots they'll inject where you will really feel it. I'd say the worst of the pain feels like you're getting an upper lip wax. On a scale of 1-10 the pain is at most about a 6.
How long do they last?
My aesthetician tells me your true lip size appears about a month after your lip injection. Prior to this, your lips are still swollen from the recovery. Your post-swollen lip size will last about 6 months and then after this, gradually decrease as the months go on. Overall, you're looking at 6 months before you'll need a touch-up or 10-12 months before the filler completely dissolves.
Let's get down to business... what is it going to cost me?
This is completely dependent on your location. Where I am in NJ I've known 1 syringe to be anywhere from $500-$1,500 (and typically you want to get 1-2 syringes of filler). On the plus side, lip filler is so common these days I'd ask around your inner circle to see where your friends or any of their friends go. You want to make sure you go to someone who does good quality work and whose work you like on their clients. I can't stress enough to never ever cheap out on cosmetic work! I've read of places who dilute their filler and it only lasts a month. So shady! Thankfully, in high populous areas, particularly in or around cities, there are tons of places that do it RIGHT. Always read reviews and compare options.
Do you notice a difference in appearance?
Absolutely. Below are my Before and After pictures. The filler filled in my top lip completely. Prior, with an open smile my top lip was almost non-existent and filler completely corrected it. I had filler added to my bottom lip too to even it out and to create the perfect pout. The After photo here was post 1 syringe and a few days after the procedure. They did reduce slightly in size a few weeks after but there still was a very distinguishable difference for about 8 months.
What should I do prior to my appointment?
Your aesthetician will outline what to do prior to your appointment. Typical rules of thumb include: no alcohol for a week prior, taking holistic anti-bruising medicines, and drink a TON of water the week leading up to and the day of your appointment. The filler draws water to your lips so you want to make sure you're properly hydrated.
What is the recovery like?
For lip fillers alone I would give yourself a full day to recover. They'll be sore for a bit and you won't be able to do things like drink out of a straw (or make out... if you're into that) for 2 weeks to ensure you will not deform the shape of the filler. The soreness goes away after about 3 days and any excess swelling subsides within 48 hours when complimented with proper icing. I'd increase the recovery time to 2-3 days if you're having other cosmetic work done during the same visit.
Things others won't be real with you about when it comes to fillers...
... but I will be 😉 Honesty is key and I wouldn't be here going on and on about filler if I'm not going to give ALL the facts. Here are some other points that you should know before making your lip filler appointment:
- Don't get your lips done within a month of a special event. There are always chances normal things can happen from bruising to temporary swelling. The first time I had my lips done my one side swelled up much more than the other for about 2 days. This happens, is no big deal, and goes away, but you never want to risk it so don't try to get your lips done 48 hours before a work presentation or... your wedding.
- If you aren't particularly happy with your smile lines, they're most likely going to get worse with filler. Not permanently, but only because there's more being volume being added to the lips and just overall more attention being focused on that area. I would talk to your aesthetician about getting your smile lines done as well if this is something that concerns you.
- This isn't a permanent solution. Unless you're getting implants (which involves surgery) your lip filler is going to fade and will need to be maintained about every 6-8 months.
- Get REST post-injections. I've found I've recovered the best when I took a day off to rest rather than trying to go back to work 24 hours after and then to dinner with friends. Even though cosmetic injections are a small procedure, your body still has to get familiar with the new substances that were just introduced to it. Also, your adrenaline will typically increase since it is slightly painful. These 2 factors will make your body a little more fatigued than just any normal day so be sure to get plenty of R&R.
**Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. The above post is not medical advice. I am strictly sharing my experience and opinion for entertainment purposes only. Always consult your doctor before moving forward with any medical procedure.
Do you have any questions that I didn't answer above? Drop them in the comments section and I'd be happy to answer!
Not ready for the commitment of lip fillers? Try the below for a great alternative to injections!
