What to Expect From Your Lip Filler Appointment

Wondering what actually happens at a lip filler appointment? We’ve got you covered.

The short version: you’ll have a consultation with your provider, topical numbing cream gets applied, the injections themselves take about 15 minutes, and you leave with fuller lips that are always natural and never overdone. We break it down for you in detail below.

Your lip filler appointment at a glance

• Consultation: Your provider discusses your lip goals and builds a custom treatment plan.
• Numbing: A topical numbing cream is applied to keep you comfortable.
• Injection: Filler is placed with a thin needle, taking around 15 minutes.
• Results: You'll see fullness immediately. Swelling fades within a few days, and your lips settle into their final shape over the following 4-6 weeks.
• Downtime: Little to none, though some redness, swelling or bruising is normal for a few days.
• Longevity: Results typically last 6-12 months, sometimes longer.

What products are used during your lip filler appointment?

Skin Pharm uses Juvederm and Restylane, both FDA-approved dermal fillers made from hyaluronic acid (HA), a gel-like substance your body already makes to keep skin hydrated and plump. Both also contain lidocaine, so the filler itself is helping numb the area as your provider injects it.

ON THE BLOG: The Best Types of Lip Filler for Natural Results >

How should I prepare for my lip filler appointment?

A little prep matters more than people expect. Bruising and swelling are normal, but a few small choices beforehand can help to optimize the post-treatment process.

• Schedule your appointment at least two weeks before any special event. Redness, swelling and bruising can show up during that window, and you don't want to be surprised by it the morning of a big event!
• Avoid dental cleanings for two weeks and dental procedures for four weeks before and after treatment.
• With your physician's approval, stop blood thinners like aspirin, NSAIDs, fish oil, vitamin A, vitamin E and other essential fatty acids for 3 days to 1 week before and after treatment. This helps reduce bruising.
• Starting arnica or bromelain supplements a couple days out may help reduce bruising, too.
• Skip alcohol, caffeine, niacin supplements and cigarettes for 24-48 hours before and after your appointment.
  
• Tell your provider if you've had cold sores before. They may prescribe an antiviral just in case.
• Lip filler isn't for you if you're pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have an active infection or rash in the area. 
• We do not recommend lip filler if you've been recently ill or received vaccines within two weeks before or after treatment.

What happens during a lip filler appointment?

If you haven’t already had a consultation, that’s where things start. You’ll sit down with a board-certified providerand talk through what your aesthetic goals and preferences are. Your provider will then determine the optimal lip filler type, amount and placement strategy needed. From there:

1. Numbing: Your provider applies a topical numbing cream to the injection site.
2. Injection: Using a thin needle, they inject the filler directly into the lips, and sometimes around the corners of the mouth to soften fine lines there, too. This takes about 15 minutes.
3. Comfort extras: Skin Pharm keeps a stress ball and vibrating T-bar on hand for distraction. Small thing, but it helps more than you think.
4. Immediate results: Fuller lips are visible right away. Swelling fades within a few days, but final shaping continues to settle over the next 4-6 weeks.

Most people only need one syringe per visit. If you’re building volume gradually rather than all at once, your provider might suggest coming back in a few months for another. Pricing depends on the clinic location, but a single syringe usually runs $750-$900.

What can I expect after my lip filler appointment?

Some swelling and bruising is just part of the process. For a full breakdown, see Skin Pharm’s guide to lip filler swelling stages.

• Days 1-2: This is when swelling peaks. It's common, and it can look more dramatic than it feels.
• Day 4: Swelling has calmed down and lips look plump.
• Day 7: Initial swelling has resolved, though the filler keeps settling into its final shape for another 4-6 weeks.
• Bruising: Fairly common, particularly for first-timers, since the lips are so vascular. It usually clears within about a week.

A few things that actually help the post-lip filler healing process:

• A cold compress (wrapped in a cloth, never applied directly) for swelling.
• Tylenol for soreness. Skip ibuprofen or other NSAIDs unless your provider clears it.
• Stay hydrated, and skip drinking from straws for a few days.
• No makeup or hard workouts for 24 hours.
• Stay out of extensive sun or heat for 72 hours.
• Sleep on your back with your head slightly elevated.
• Wait at least two weeks before other facial treatments or dental work.

Most people are back to work and their normal routine the next day.

Frequently asked questions about lip filler

Does lip filler hurt?

You'll likely feel a small pinch, but most patients tolerate it fine. The numbing cream and the lidocaine already in Juvederm and Restylane both help to reduce discomfort.

When will I see results?

Fuller lips show up right after injection. Initial swelling fades over the course of a few days, and your lips settle into their final shape over the following 4-6 weeks.

How long does lip filler last?

Typically 6-12 months, though it can run longer depending on your metabolism and how much filler you've built up over time.

What's the downtime like?

Minimal. Redness, swelling and bruising are common right after treatment and usually fade within days. Still, plan your appointment with at least a two week buffer before any social commitments. 

Can lip filler be dissolved or reversed?

Yes. Hyaluronic acid filler can be dissolved with an enzyme called hyaluronidase, available at every Skin Pharm clinic.

How many syringes will I need for my lips?

Most people start with one per visit. Your provider will tell you if more makes sense based on your anatomy and goals.

How much does lip filler cost?

It depends on location and syringe count, but individual syringes generally run $750-$900.

Not sure whether lip filler is the right move for you, or new to Skin Pharm altogether? A skin consultis the easiest place to start. You'll sit down with a board-certified provider, walk through your skin and goals, and leave with a treatment plan build around you - whether that's lip filler or something else. 

Peer Review

Julia Franklyn, PA-C is a board-certified physician assistant and the Director of Clinical Training at Skin Pharm. Follow her on Instagram.