Should You Try Lip Filler? – Dr. Cohen Answers Your Questions

The look of your lips can make a big difference in how you feel and in your overall appearance and many people wonder if lip filler is for them.  Dr. Cohen’s approach is customized to each patient to help them achieve their goals whether it be to fill in lip lines, to add subtle fullness, correct asymmetry, or to build a bolder fullness.  A key ingredient in Dr. Cohen’s approach is listening to her patient’s concerns and here she answers ten frequently asked questions about lip filler treatments.

How do I explain the look I want?

When you come to see me for a consult, I will want to talk with you and have you show me your areas of concern.  Pictures of lips you admire and think would be a good shape and fullness for you can also be helpful, so please bring those along.  Looking at pictures as well and the shape, size and structure of your own lips as well as your overall facial structure will help us formulate an approach to give you your desired result.

How do I prepare for my appointment?

For two weeks prior to your appointment you should avoid any blood thinning medications or supplements.  This includes medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, Naprosen and  supplements like fish oil and others.  This will help avoid any excessive bruising.  If you have had a history of cold sores, you should take preventative medication that we will prescribe in order to avoid an unlikely but potential flare-up.

Is there any down time after the procedure?

There is no real downtime after the procedure.  Most people can go right back to work and resume their daily activities.  Avoid strenuous exercise and alcohol for 24 hours and avoid the blood thinners mentioned above.

Does it hurt?

There is a minimal amount of pain involved with injections and each persons’ tolerance level will be different.  We offer a numbing injection or topical numbing cream which is applied to the area to be injected 30 minutes prior to treatment to help make the process more comfortable.   Some patients also benefits from taking Tylenol prior to the procedure.  Any swelling or bruising usually goes away quickly, within a day or two, and there is generally not any downtime after the procedure.

Will there be bruising?

Some slight bruising is common.  However, if you avoid blood follow your pre and post treatment instructions, bruising should be minimal and resolve quickly.  Many of my patients take arnica to further minimize bruising and have reported good success.

How long do lip fillers last?

Lip fillers generally last approximately one year.  Each person metabolizes the filler differently.  The fillers dissipate slowly and each patient can determine when the time is right for additional filler to be added.  It can be helpful to take a few photos of your lips at the fullness you like to use as a comparison when the fillers start to wane and act as a guideline in your next treatment.

What can lip filler do other than making my lips bigger?

Fillers can be used to reduce lines in the lip area.  It can also be used to improve asymmetry of the lips, such as undesirable differences in size of the top and bottom lip or asymmetry from one side of the lip to the other.  Filler can be added to highlight the cupid’s bow area of the lip, to make the bottom of the lower lip more prominent or to accentuate the outer edges of the lips.  This is why a consult where we look at the structure of your lips is so important, allowing us to examine all of the lip features and achieve the best result for the look you desire whether it be a subtle change and rejuvenation or a more bold enhancement.

Should I be nervous about “duck lips?”

Nobody wants “duck lips!”  My goal is to provide a natural looking enhancement to lips and the help each patient achieve their goals, considering their preferences for the desired look.   So, no, there is no need to be nervous about this.

What if I am unsure about how much fullness I want?

I am a big proponent of building gradually which is a great way to see how fillers look on you and add as needed.  You can have a modest amount of filler injected in the proper method to achieve your desired result with a very natural look.  Then, try them out for a couple of weeks.  Once things have settled, if you would like a bit fuller look, you can come back and add more filler until your optimum result is achieved.  Then, take some pictures of your lips just the way you like them.  This will be very helpful for me to see when it is time to replenish your filler.

How much does lip enhancement cost?

This question is difficult because every patient it different.  Costs depends on what kind or filler is used and how much – this depends on the problem to be corrected or the look desired by the patient.  Generally speaking, the cost usually ranges from $450 to $750.

Now, I’d like you to see what a difference a lip filler treatment can make. Here is a 31-year-old patient who layered several lip treatments over time to achieve the look she desired.  This is a before and after she made showing her lips before treatment and her enhanced lips with lipstick.  It was a real treat for me to see the impact of her lip enhancement in her everyday life!