Lip filler before and after: how do volume and contour change, and how long does it last?

What changes before and after lip filler are the thickness of the lips, the lip line, the proportion of the upper and lower lips, and shadows around the corners of the mouth. Volume appears right after treatment in proportion to the hyaluronic acid filler injected, but for the first few days, swelling makes the lips look bigger than they actually are, and the intended shape can only be seen after 1–2 weeks. The extent of change depends on the amount and placement of the filler and the original shape of the lips.

What changes before and after lip filler

• For lip thickness, filler is injected into the inner red part of the lips to make them fuller toward the front.
• For the contour, a small amount is placed along the border between the lips and skin to sharpen a blurred outline.
• The upper-to-lower proportion is balanced by allocating more to the thinner lip.
• Around the corners of the mouth, mouth-corner filler or mouth-corner Botox is sometimes considered together to reduce shadows that make them look droopy.

Even with the same amount, the degree of change differs depending on whether the original lips are thin or have a left–right difference. Rather than injecting a large amount from the start, adding only as much as needed after checking the shape with a small amount can help create a natural change.

How long does lip filler last?

Hyaluronic acid filler gradually breaks down and is absorbed in the body. Lips are constantly moving whenever you talk or eat, so it may feel as if the filler decreases faster than filler placed in other areas.

At our Suwon clinic, we describe hyaluronic acid filler as lasting 6–12 months, with differences depending on the treatment area, product, and individual. When getting it again, the amount is decided by looking at the remaining volume after bruising and swelling have subsided, and since it is added on top of the remaining filler, the shape is sometimes maintained with less than the first time.

Care and precautions before and after lip filler

You can wash your face and apply makeup 2–3 hours after treatment, and for 3–7 days, avoid heavy drinking, smoking, saunas and jjimjilbang (Korean bathhouses), and strenuous exercise. Take any prescribed medication consistently for 3 days, and do not press or rub your lips hard for 2–3 weeks.

Bruising, swelling, and a foreign-body sensation mostly subside within 1–2 weeks. If your lips turn white or purplish, the pain gets progressively worse, or blisters form, a blood vessel may be blocked, so please contact the clinic right away. If you frequently get lip herpes or are allergic to antibiotics, please let us know before treatment.

Lip filler swelling in Suwon: how many days do swelling and bruising last, and when does the shape settle?

View Filler Treatment Information

FAQ

Q. If the before-and-after difference from lip filler is too big, can it be reversed?

A. Hyaluronic acid filler can be dissolved by injecting hyaluronidase, a dissolving enzyme. Before the swelling goes down, the lips look bigger than they actually are, so wait 1–2 weeks to check the shape, and then decide during consultation whether to dissolve part or all of it.

Q. How is the amount of lip filler decided?

A. It is decided by looking at the thickness of your original lips, any left–right difference, and the shape you want. Starting with a small amount, checking the shape after the swelling goes down, and adding only where needed can help prevent the lips from looking overly large.

Q. Does lip filler also smooth out lip wrinkles?

A. Vertical lines on the lip surface may become less visible as volume is filled. If the lines are deep or extend into the skin around the mouth, filler alone has limits, so skin boosters or other methods are sometimes discussed together.