Lips

Lip fillers are injectable substances used to enhance lip volume, hydration and structure – which may be tailored to the patient’s goals and desires.

Dr Grunau uses dermal fillers made from hyaluronic acid, a substance which occurs naturally in the body.

The longevity of dermal fillers depends on the type of filler used, the amount used, the area treated and the individual's metabolism. Generally, lip filler results  last between 6-12 months, but there is variation in how quickly the body metabolizes the hyaluronic acid filler over time. 

Factors that lead to variation in longevity include patient metabolism, and the type, amount and location of filler injected. For example, a lower dose of lip filler in a first time patient will tend to metabolize faster than a larger volume injected into a patient who has had many lip filler treatments over time. Lip filler tends to metabolize more quickly than other areas, due to the regular movements of the mouth for activities such as eating, speaking, kissing, laughing.

Lip fillers are considered safe when administered by a trained and licensed medical professional. However, like any medical procedure, there are possible side effects, and rare but serious risks.

Common side effects are expected, and may include redness, swelling, bruising and tenderness at the injection site(s). 

Other complications are rare, but can include infection, allergic reactions, delayed onset nodules (bumps), filler moving (migrating) outside the intended target area. Extremely rare and serious complications involve filler blocking a blood vessel (medically referred to as a “vascular occlusion”), which can lead to damage in the surrounding skin and soft tissue, due to a lack of blood supply . There are no reported cases in the literature of lip filler causing blindness. 

Common side effects such as mild swelling and small bruises generally resolve within a few days to a week. 

All medical procedures are associated with some risk, and it is important to be informed of the benefits and risks of any procedure. Dr. Grunau follows established safety protocols to minimize serious but rare complications. This includes knowing which anatomical areas of the face are at higher risk (and avoiding those areas), and understanding the anatomical layers of the face. As an ER doctor, she has almost 20 years of experience managing emergencies and complications. She equips her clinic with an emergency kit to treat allergies and anaphylaxis, and to reverse any signs of a “vascular occlusion” (the medical term for a blocked blood vessel). 

Informed consent is an important part of your medical care, and Dr. Grunau is happy to answer your questions prior to proceeding with your treatment.

Hyaluronic acid dermal fillers contain a numbing agent (lidocaine) to minimize discomfort. In addition, Dr. Grunau applies numbing cream to the lips prior to the procedure. Because the lips are highly sensitive, some patients report mild discomfort, stinging or a feeling of pressure during the procedure, which is typically well-tolerated.

In the hours or days after your appointment, if you notice significantly increasing or disproportionate pain and discoloration to the skin please contact us immediately.

Yes, hyaluronic acid fillers can be partially or fully reversed using an enzyme called hyaluronidase. This enzyme can also correct overfilling or an undesirable result such as filler migration. In some cases if patients have had previous filler treatment in the past, Dr. Grunau may recommend dissolving residual filler in order to “start fresh”.

There is typically little to no downtime after dermal filler injections. Some discomfort, swelling and bruising may occur, but the majority of people resume their daily activities immediately. The common side effects (swelling, bruising, for example) resolve within 3-10 days, and the treatment “settles” within 2 weeks. Bruises may be covered with makeup in the meantime. Tylenol and cold compresses/ice may be used for swelling and discomfort, if needed. Please refer to the before and aftercare instructions for more information. 

It is important to note that leading up to a significant life event, particularly if you will be photographed, it is best to have your treatment at least 3-4 weeks prior. This allows time for the treatment to settle, and to make any follow up micro-adjustments, if required. 

The lip flip procedure involves injecting a neuromodulator (botulinum toxin A) into the muscles directly around the upper lip to relax those fibers, whereas lip filler involves injecting filler into the lip in order to create more volume.

If you are familiar with these procedures, and wish to do both at the same time, that is perfectly fine. But if it is your first time getting these procedures, Dr. Grunau may advise separating your treatments by 2 weeks. This way you will have the benefit of monitoring the result of the specific treatment, and seeing the outcome of each separately.

The neuromodulator in the lip flip procedure tends to wear off faster than other areas of the face due to the continuous movement of the lips (think of how many times you move your mouth in a day!). In general, the treatment lasts between 8 -12 weeks.

Some patients report difficulty drinking through a straw, or sipping liquids. This procedure is not recommended for anyone who relies heavily on using their lips, such as musicians (wind instruments) or singers.

Lip Filler treatment ranges from $475-$700

The cost of your service includes your consultation, treatment and follow-up care with Dr. Grunau.