Common Lip Filler Myths: The Truth About What Injectable Results Look and Feel Like

You’ve seen the overdone results on reality shows and social media. You may even have run into an old friend in the grocery store and thought “wait a minute, they look… different?” When treatment  is done properly, you won’t know someone has had lip fillers or corrected a concern; you’ll just think “they look really good today!” Let’s unpack some of the most common myths and misconceptions we hear about lip fillers and delve into some expert tips for a great result.

What makes us an authority on lip fillers?

We’re living in a time with a lot of information at your fingertips, and we know it can be hard to know what to trust. So let’s start here;  Dr. Dusan Sajic is a board-certified medical and cosmetic dermatologist, visionary director of the Derma Skin Institute, at the forefront of advancement in injectable technique and innovation. Our team brings 20 years of experience to performing lip fillers—so we know how to get great results, avoid common injector pitfalls, and innovate to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to aesthetics. These myths are all ones we’ve heard in our own clinics in Guelph and Burlington, where we’ve seen it all: injectable first-timers, regular clients who have been with us for decades, and diverse patients of all backgrounds, genders, and lifestyles looking to enhance their appearance and age gracefully. We’re passionate about bringing research-based information and great results to every patient we see. Understanding the truth about lip fillers will let you get the beautiful results you deserve.

Lip filler myth #1: Lip fillers will make me look fake or give me “duck lips.”

The truth: Lip fillers can look natural, beautiful, and subtle.

Dr. Sajic practices the 5-Dimension Skin Plan™, an innovative, science-based approach that considers the whole face instead of “quick fixes” that ignore how features influence one another. This approach maximizes balance, symmetry, and subtlety for a fresh, more youthful appearance. Just like exercising or maintaining a healthy diet, aesthetic treatments are about long-term care and skin health—not vanity or secrecy

Lip filler myth #2: Lip fillers are extremely painful

The truth: Lip filler treatments are relatively comfortable and take place in quick, easy appointments. Most patients we see report minor, temporary discomfort that they feel is well worth the results.

Your comfort & safety is our priority. Every day people from all walks of life choose dermal fillers at our Burlington and Guelph clinics, and find the procedure relatively comfortable. Great technique means your provider is preparing you for moments of discomfort and can ease any concerns you have while performing injections in the most easy, painless way possible. To ensure your comfort, We apply numbing cream to prepare the treated areas, and may also use  a local anaesthetic before treatment. Most fillers are formulated with  an anesthetic already blended in, providing an added level of ease throughout the procedure . Extra sensitive lips? We can also offer prescription-strength pain relievers and Penthrox® as an option—an effective, fast-acting, non-opioid inhaled analgesic product that helps greatly with pain and anxiety. 

On its own, a lip filler appointment can be 30 minutes or less — so any pricks or pokes you feel pass quickly. You may notice some minor bruising following treatment, which is normal and will subside naturally in the days following treatment. The length of your treatment depends on the size and type of areas treated, and whether you’re pairing treatment with other aesthetic procedures. 

Different areas of the face have varying sensitivity to injectables and require different techniques to treat them appropriately.  While the lips are a delicate area— rich in nerves and sensation— a good injector knows precision and comfort are essential.  Still feeling nervous? You can feel comfortable and calm in the hands of our medical experts who bring 20 years to each patient we treat; let us know what you’re looking for, what you’re worried about, and how we can make sure your lip filler experience is comfortable and easy.

Lip filler myth #3: If I start getting lip fillers, I’ll have to commit to doing it for the rest of my life.

The truth: Lip fillers dissolve naturally with time, so you can have lip fillers one time, or many times and stop whenever you like.

Lip fillers contain hyaluronic acid (HA), a molecule that occurs naturally in your body and valued in aesthetic medicine because of its unique ability to attract and hold water, helping tissues stay hydrated and supple.  HA naturally acts as a water-binding molecule to restore  moisture to the skin and helps to activate  your body’s naturally collagen-producing capacities. When placed into the lips, HA-based fillers integrate smoothly and are gradually metabolized by the body over time. 

Because HA fillers are temporary, they do not alter the underlying anatomy of the lips. Some patients also mention concerns about fillers “stretching” lips, but injectable lip fillers do not alter the size or shape of your lip tissue. This means patients can safely receive lip filler treatments on a recurring basis without concern for long-term damage or permanent changes. So while you’re welcome to come experience lip fillers without any need for future appointments, we do find that lip filler patients are often impressed with the way that lip fillers enhance their appearance, restore facial balance, and offer a boost of confidence—so we’re guessing you’ll want to come back again to refresh your results.

Tips to get great dermal filler results:

While the above are all popular myths, there’s a vast difference between qualified, skilled lip filler results and the overfilled injections or discomfort caused by choosing a green, inexperienced provider.

• Choose an injector with a proven legacy of great results. Ask to see real results from the clinic you’re choosing. Great providers should be able to show you real examples of the kind of results you may be able to expect.
• Start small. Never let an injector or dermatologist persuade you to do more; and trust them when they’re encouraging you to start with a lower volume. 
• Look at the team at the clinic you’re visiting: if their results look overdone, that’s likely a norm they’re comfortable with. If their appearance matches the kinds of results you’d like, you may be in the right place.
• Keep track of how you feel about your lip filler results: once you’ve seen us for fillers over a few years, you and your provider will be tuned in to exactly the results you like. Keep a journal of how long results last, other treatments you’d like to try, and how you felt about your lip filler experience. 
• Prioritize experience and expertise over a fun, flashy, or trendy clinic.
• No two results are the same: we are as unique as our lips are different. Remember that your friend’s results won’t look the same as yours, and that’s okay.
• So choose an injector who makes you feel comfortable, seen, and takes the time to listen to your concerns. You should feel completely confident that the dermatologist or nurse you’re working with understands what you want, and will guide you through the process—making you maximally comfortable from consultation through to beautiful results. 
• Diligently follow aftercare instructions.: We’ll let you know how to best care for your skin after lip fillers. We have medical laser treatments in Guelph that can significantly decrease bruising should you develop any. Avoid massaging your face and generally avoid heavy exercise for the first 48 hours after treatment. You will receive more specific details for your recovery from our team at the end of your appointment and during our follow-ups as you heal.

Discover the difference expert injectables can make.

We look forward to meeting you. Request a consultation using the online form or call us at (888) 803-3762 to schedule an appointment with one of our dermatologists. Our expert team is committed to providing state-of-the-art medical, surgical and cosmetic treatments to patients in Guelph, Burlington, Cambridge, Kitchener, Hamilton, Milton, and surrounding areas. We look forward to seeing you!