Most lip fillers are made from hyaluronic acid (HA), a substance that occurs naturally in the body. It’s biodegradable and reversible — it can be dissolved if needed.

There’s no single “best” product for everyone — the right choice depends on your lip shape, goals, and how subtle or noticeable you want the result. This is assessed individually during consultation.

Lip filler generally refers to adding volume throughout the lip. Lip contouring focuses more specifically on defining the border or shape of the lips, sometimes with less emphasis on overall volume. The two are often combined.

No — lip filler adds volume to the lips but doesn’t reduce gum visibility when smiling. Gummy smile is typically addressed with Botox or, in some cases, surgery; see our Botox page for more detail.

No, and most practitioners (including this clinic) prefer it that way — standard hyaluronic acid lip filler is temporary and reversible. Permanent lip filler materials exist but carry a higher long-term risk profile and are generally avoided in modern practice.

Lip filler is generally very safe when performed by an experienced injector. As with any injectable, there are risks, including rare but serious vascular complications — see the Risks section above for full detail.

Lip filler typically lasts around 6–12 months, depending on the individual and the area treated.

Most patients describe mild discomfort rather than significant pain, especially with topical numbing and the local anaesthetic often included in the filler itself.

A lip flip uses Botox to relax the muscle around the upper lip, showing more of it without adding volume. Lip filler adds actual volume. They can be combined depending on your goals.

Lip filler can be injected with a fine needle for precise placement or a blunt-tipped cannula, which may reduce bruising in some cases. The right technique depends on the specific area and your anatomy — exact injection points are determined individually rather than following a fixed pattern.

To some extent, filler placed toward the corners of the mouth can create a subtle widening effect, though this is more limited than changes to central volume or height.

Avoid alcohol on the day of treatment, smoking where possible, strenuous exercise for 24–48 hours, and pressing or rubbing the lips unnecessarily.

Swelling is a normal part of healing and generally improves on its own over several days. Avoiding alcohol, excessive heat, and strenuous activity in the first day or two can help limit how pronounced it gets.

Yes, generally from the following day once any pinpoint injection marks have closed — ask your provider for specific timing for your case.

Normal kissing doesn’t affect the result, but it’s generally advised to avoid intense pressure on the lips for the first 24–48 hours while the filler settles.

It’s best to avoid alcohol on the day of treatment and smoking where possible in the days afterward, as both can affect bruising and healing.

Common side effects include swelling, bruising, and temporary lumps. A more specific, though rare, risk is vascular occlusion in the lip, which can affect local tissue if not recognised and treated quickly by an experienced injector.

True allergic reactions to hyaluronic acid filler are uncommon, since HA occurs naturally in the body, but they are possible. Discuss any known allergies with your provider beforehand.

Lip filler is dissolved using an injection of hyaluronidase, an enzyme that breaks down hyaluronic acid. This is typically effective within 24–48 hours.

The only medically reliable method is a hyaluronidase injection from your provider — there isn’t a safe way to meaningfully speed this up at home. Contact your provider rather than trying unverified remedies.