A lip injection is a minimally invasive treatment that utilizes dermal fillers to improve the shape and fullness of the lips. (1) As we get older, our skin loses both collagen and fat, resulting in volume loss that can affect various parts of our body, including our lips. Lip injections offer a non-surgical solution to restore a more youthful look and enhance your overall facial balance and confidence.

Dr. Michael J. Yoo is a board-certified plastic surgeon with years of experience performing both surgical and non-surgical procedures. Dr. Yoo is passionate about his craft and has dedicated himself to helping each of his patients achieve their aesthetic goals. He has trained under some of the most renowned plastic surgeons in the country and furthered his skillset and knowledge while training in Seoul, South Korea.

If you are ready to revitalize the appearance of your lips, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Yoo online or call:

About Lip Injections

Lip fillers can come in a variety of specialized formulas that each offer different textures and benefits. At our practice, we use hyaluronic acid-based fillers to augment your lips.

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a substance found in the body that can help attract and retain moisture in the skin, eyes, connective tissues, and more. It is highly popular due to its low allergic risk, ease of injection, quick recovery time, and near-immediate results. (2) HA-based fillers can be distributed into several areas, including between the eyebrows, nasolabial folds, lips, chin, and more. Dr. Yoo offers both Juvederm and Restylane products.

Juvederm

Juvederm (JUVÉDERM®) is a portfolio of HA-based dermal fillers that can be used to fill in various lines, creases, and wrinkles. Each Juvederm product is formulated differently, with each offering different particle sizes and viscosities to provide natural-looking volume across various areas of the face. We offer Juvederm Ultra XC and Juvederm Volbella XC to augment the lips, and both of these products contain small amounts of lidocaine for a more comfortable experience.

  • Juvederm Ultra XC: Juvederm Ultra XC can address creases and fine lines around the mouth, in addition to improving the shape and fullness of the lips. The results of this formula often appear highly natural, offering subtle yet transformative rejuvenation.
  • Juvederm Volbella XC: Juvederm Volbella XC is ideal if you want to enhance your lips and/or address the development of fine vertical lip lines. These vertical lip lines often form over time due to aging or repetitive lip pursing, and can easily be restored using this filler.

Restylane

Restylane (Restylane®) is a family of HA-based fillers that are designed to act the same as the naturally occurring HA found in your body. (3) Restylane provides long-lasting results in the lips, which is one reason it is widely used for lip enhancement. (4) Dr. Yoo can administer Restylane Silk to help you achieve your desired appearance.

  • Restylane Silk: Restylane Silk is formulated to address concerns and enhance fullness around the lips. This filler is the softest and smoothest. It can help improve volume and fill in vertical lip lines. Restylane Silk is known for its subtle refinements and is suitable for more precise detailing. This filler also contains lidocaine to make the injection process more comfortable.

Benefits

There are several benefits to augmenting the shape and fullness of your lips with injections. These benefits may include:

  • Enhanced Fullness: Lip injections can add volume to thin lips, restoring a more youthful-looking appearance.
  • Improved Symmetry: Lip injections can alter the shape of your lips, correcting any noticeable unevenness and restoring a more balanced appearance.
  • More Defined Lip Borders: Dr. Yoo can help enhance and redefine your cupid’s bow and lip borders, outlining the natural shape and contours of your lips.
  • Customizable Results: Each treatment plan is designed around your facial anatomy, concerns, and goals, ensuring personalized results that match your ideal aesthetic.
  • Minimally Invasive Treatment Methods: Our injections can provide significant results that do not require incisions, general anesthesia, or extensive recovery time.
  • Lasting Results: The results of our lip fillers are designed to be long-lasting, with certain fillers providing effects that can last for up to one year before retreatment is recommended.

Candidates

Suitable candidates for our lip injections include anyone interested in enhancing the fullness or shape of their lips. This treatment is highly recommended for those with asymmetrical lips, naturally thin lips, or lips that have slowly lost volume due to factors such as aging. Lip injections can also reduce the appearance of vertical lip lines, also known as “smoker’s lines.”

Anyone interested in receiving lip injections should be in good general health and maintain realistic expectations regarding their results. Dr. Yoo will determine each patient’s candidacy for lip injections during their consultation.

Personal Consultation

Before receiving your lip injections, you will need to attend a personal consultation with Dr. Yoo. During this consultation, he will talk to you about what lip injections can achieve for you, as well as our different filler options and their associated benefits. He will ask you about your medical history, concerns, and treatment goals to gain a better understanding of your motivations. He will also evaluate the treatment area and your overall facial anatomy, and he may take photos to help determine your treatment plan.

These details will then be used to determine your eligibility and develop your treatment plan. Dr. Yoo will recommend the best filler or combination of fillers for your goals and walk you through each step of what your appointment will look like. We recommend preparing questions and bringing in photo examples of your ideal lip shape, as this consultation is time dedicated to designing your specific treatment plan.

If you are ready to schedule this consultation, please fill out our online consultation form or give us a call:

Preparation

During your consultation, you will receive a set of preparation instructions that are tailored to your specific treatment plan. While these instructions are minimal, following each one closely will lead to optimal results.

You will need to avoid taking anti-inflammatory or blood-thinning medications and supplements for about two weeks before the procedure. These medications can increase side effects such as swelling, bruising, and bleeding. We also recommend ceasing nicotine use and alcohol consumption to ensure a quick and healthy recovery.

Procedure

Lip injections can be performed in either our Newport Beach or Beverly Hills office, and they typically take 15 to 30 minutes to perform. When you arrive, we will cleanse and sanitize the skin in the treatment area. If you are more sensitive to injections, a topical anesthetic will also be applied to your skin; however, our formulas contain lidocaine to numb the local treatment area to reduce discomfort. Dr. Yoo will then administer the injections into various areas around your lips to augment their natural shape and fullness. If desired, he may also inject the filler just above and below the lips to reduce the appearance of vertical lip lines. Once all the filler has been administered, Dr. Yoo will lightly massage the injected areas to ensure the formula has been evenly distributed and feels smooth beneath the skin.

Recovery

You will be free to return to your daily routine after your appointment. You may experience swelling, bruising, or tenderness around your lips, but these effects typically subside on their own within 24-48 hours and may be managed using a cold compress. During this time, you will need to avoid engaging in physical exercise or strenuous activities, as these can increase your temporary side effects. Although restrictions are minimal, we will still provide additional recovery instructions during your consultation.

Results

You may be able to notice immediate improvements in the shape or definition of your lips, but the full results will become more apparent as any residual swelling subsides. Once it does, you will be able to enjoy fuller, more youthful-looking lips that naturally balance out your facial features.

Lip fillers can vary in how long their results last. Juvederm fillers often last up to a year, while Restylane typically offers results that can last for up to nine months before reinjection is recommended. Dr. Yoo can help you make the best choice for your lips during your consultation and give insight into the optimal reinjection schedule.

Corresponding Procedures

Facial Fat Transfer

There are several treatments that can be paired effectively with our lip injections to provide more natural-looking results, one of them being facial fat transfers. Facial fat transfers are a procedure that uses your body’s own fat (autologous fat) to help restore volume to your face. This treatment begins with liposuction to help remove fat from areas such as the abdomen, thighs, or flanks. The fat is then processed and purified before being reinjected into your face. Dr. Yoo can perform this procedure to address several concerns, including the smile or frown lines, marionette lines, wrinkles, and areas experiencing hollowing.

To learn more about other treatments that may be performed alongside your lip injections, read Dr. Yoo’s blog!

Cost of Lip Injections in Beverly Hills and Newport Beach

The cost of your lip injections can vary depending on the type of filler used, the amount of filler needed, the extent of correction, whether or not any additional procedures are performed, as well as a handful of other factors. During your personal consultation, Dr. Yoo will provide a comprehensive cost estimate based on the details of your treatment plan.

To learn more about the costs associated with lip injections, please schedule a consultation online or give us a call to get started:

FAQ

How long will the results of my lip injections last?

The results of your injections will vary depending on the filler used during your treatment. Typically, the results of lip fillers last between 6 and 12 months.

Will my lip injections hurt?

Discomfort is typically minimal, and our formulas contain lidocaine to help numb the local injection area. If you have a low pain tolerance or have any worries about discomfort, we recommend discussing these concerns during your consultation.

How long will my lip injection recovery be?

You will be able to return to your normal activities immediately after your appointment, as there is little to no downtime associated with our lip injections. You may experience temporary swelling, bruising, or tenderness around your lips.

How will I know which type of lip filler is right for me?

During your consultation, Dr. Yoo will evaluate the shape and fullness of your lips, as well as listen to your concerns and treatment goals. Once he has a complete understanding of your desired aesthetic, he will recommend the best filler for your needs.

References

  1. Jain R, Sanika Tanawde, Joshi S, Naik C, Aarti Garad, Deepti Chablani. Advancements in lip augmentation: A scoping review exploring novel techniques. Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery. 2024;17:167-176. doi:https://doi.org/10.25259/jcas_144_23
  2. Walker K, Basehore BM, Zito PM. Hyaluronic Acid. Nih.gov. Published July 3, 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482440/
  3. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Restylane® Products. Restylaneusa.com. Published 2023. https://www.restylaneusa.com/faq
  4. Dover JS, Carruthers A, Carruthers J, Alam M. Clinical Use of RESTYLANE®. Skin Therapy Letter. Published February 2005. https://www.skintherapyletter.com/cosmetic-dermatology/clinical-use-restylane/