Injectable Lip Enhancement

Quick Facts

  • Dermal fillers can be injected into the lips and the areas around the lips to enhance the shape or size of lips
  • Volume loss of the lips occurs naturally with time, and replacing this volume can result in more youthful looking lips
  • We aim to achieve very natural-looking lips
  • Anaesthetic is injected to numb the lips prior to lip enhancement
  • Areas such as the vermillion border, the philtrum, cupids bow, and lip body can be enhanced
  • There may be some swelling and bruising after lip enhancement

What is injectable lip enhancement?

Injectable lip enhancement is the procedure of strategically injecting dermal fillers into parts of the lip and surrounding lip areas to enhance, shape, or add volume to the lips and reduce surrounding wrinkles. Volume loss of the lips occurs naturally with time, and replacing this lost volume can result in more youthful looking lips. 
Enhancing the lips is not always about enhancing just the vermilion or red part of the lips. Filling around the lips may be just as important as filling the lips themselves. For example, correcting the fine upper lip lines, or lifting the corners of the mouth can all be just as important as enhancement of the lips themselves. Correcting one without the other can lead to an imbalance in the overall appearance of the lips.
 
At The Victorian Cosmetic Institute, we aim to enhance lips so that they are proportional to the rest of the face, as well as the upper lip being proportional to the lower lip. Our philosophy is to enhance your lips so that the result is natural, as if you were born with them like that.
 

How is injectable lip enhancement performed?

Injectable lip enhancement is usually performed with dermal fillers. There are many types of dermal fillers and the results can be temporary or permanent depending on the type of dermal filler used. Each one has its pros and cons and will suit different people's needs.
Due to regulations set by the TGA, the exact name of the dermal fillers used in lip enhancement cannot be used.

Video clips

The following video clips show a sample of injectable lip enhancement. In the first video, the patient has been anaesthetised prior to the injections with nerve blocks so discomfort is minimal.


For more information on the types of fillers used, click here.

The first step is a careful discussion with your treating doctor or nurse who will talk to you about what you want to achieve with your lips. It is important to realise that the lips you have are the foundations that you can build on and cannot be completely changed, but simply enhanced to form a fuller, more defined, and youthful version of your lips.

Secondly, anaesthetic is administered. This can be done topically, by injection, or both. This will ensure that the procedure is as comfortable as possible for you.

The dermal filler is then injected into the different parts of the lips.

What areas can be enhanced?

The vermilion border is the most common area that is enhanced with dermal fillers. The vermilion border is the junction between the white and red part of the lips. By injecting dermal fillers in this area, it is possible to define the lips, similar to wearing lip liner. It gives the lip no more volume, but outlines the border to make it clearer. It can also help with lines that cross through this area. For those who have 'lipstick bleeding', injecting a dermal filler in the vermilion border can also help. The lip body can also be injected. This is usually done to enhance pout. The dermal filler everts the lip outwards so that more of it shows.

Correction of vertical upper lip lines, if present, is also important in the enhancement of lips. This area is often a key area of concern for patients, and can be softened with a variety of fillers.


The oral commissures are located in the corners of the mouth, can also be filled. This area usually increases in size with age due to the effect of gravity on the cheek skin. Filling this area turns the corners of the lips upwards creating a more positive and happy appearance.

The philtrum consists of the two lines in the centre of the upper lip that connects to the nose. By enhancing this double-ridge, it is possible to give the upper lip more shape and curve, enhancing the sensuality of the lips.

The cupid's bow, or the V shaped area in the centre of the upper lip can also be enhanced with dermal fillers. This makes the V more pronounced. Done in conjunction with the philtrum, it can achieve a pleasant overall shape to the upper lip.

Case study 1

This female had her lips injected approximately 2 months prior to attending The Victorian Cosmetic Institute. She had a treatment with filler type R 0.5mL to her lip line at that time. This created a more defined lip border, but left a slightly 'ducky look' from the side (see side view before shot).
She was re-injected with 0.8mL of filler type J around the vermilion border which reduced the ducky appearance. Furthermore, she had her lip body and oral commissures injected which gave her lips more pout and upturn (note difference in corners of mouth). Note that the lips still appear natural after the injections.




Case study 2

This patient has had braces to her upper teeth which accentuated her upper lip. She requested both lips to be treated with emphasis on the bottom lip. Filler type J 0.8mL was used . A small amount was placed in her upper lip border, and the remaining in the lower lip border and body.






Case study 3

This patient presented to The Victorian Cosmetic Institute with concerns that her lips lacked definition and volume. She also noticed that the upper lip tapered away from the middle to the outside. Her lips were enhanced with filler type J, placing produce in the lip line and body to enhance shape and volume.




 

What do aesthetically pleasing lips look like?

This is a personal preference. Our staff take time to discuss your needs and what you would like to achieve.

However, it is important to have lips that fit your face appropriately. As a rule, for people with a smaller face, eyes, and nose, smaller lips may be appropriate. Over-enhancing lips in such a person could create a false or unnatural appearance.

The bottom lip should also be larger than the top lip as a general rule. This is not always the case however.

It is also important to avoid the 'trout pout' or 'ducky lips'. Inexperienced injectors often create this look by over-injection in certain parts of the lip.

What are the side effects of lip enhancement?

After lip enhancement, the main side effect is swelling of the lips. This may persist from 3 to 14 days. Usually injection of the lip body produces more swelling than the border. The type of dermal filler used also determines to an extent the degree of swelling.

A  bruise may also result from the injections at times.

Occasionally, lip enhancement may cause cold sores to reappear. If this occurs, you need to notify your doctor of this and be prescribed an anti-viral tablet.

What do I need to do after injectable lip enhancement?

The swelling will occur immediately and ice packs can help reduce this. Not drinking too much water for the first 24 hours may also help reduce swelling. 

You may need to use a lip balm to help prevent dry lips initially, and no make up is to be used for 12 hours.

It is best to avoid strenuous exercise and excessive UV exposure for at least 48 hours post treatment.

If there are any lumps felt, you are able to massage these twice a day until they have resolved. If these lumps persist, you may need to have them corrected by your treating doctor or nurse.

What are the types of dermal fillers that can be injected into the lips? How long does each one last? How much does lip enhancement cost?

In most cases, lip enhancement using one syringe of Filler type JUL or R is $740 including gst. If two syringes are required, then the price is $1332 including gst. In most cases, lip enhancement will require 1 syringe.

Click here to see the answers to these questions and read more about dermal fillers


Why choose The Victorian Cosmetic Institute as your provider of injectable lip enhancement?

The doctors at The Victorian Cosmetic Institute take the time to discuss your personal requirements and preferences as to the kind of lip enhancement you would like. Our doctors are highly experienced in lip enhancement, and also, some of our doctors train other doctors Australia wide on how to inject lips.

Making that first phone call about any cosmetic procedure can be a confronting task - many of our patients have preferred filling out our online enquiry form. We can then contact you with an understanding of the results you are hopeful of achieving and ensure the treatment is appropriate.

It's as easy as clicking either of the buttons below and completing the provided form. 

Otherwise, you can phone us directly on (03) 8850 0655 (Templestowe) or (03) 9707 0888 (Berwick).

 





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