Lip Fillers

Levant Cosmetic Surgery clinics in Sydney, Adelaide and Canberra offer consultations on lip filler treatment with registered medical practitioners and appropriately trained registered nurses. A real-time, in-person consultation is required before any prescription medicine can be considered for an individual patient.

This page is informational. It does not replace personalised medical advice. The content below outlines what a registered practitioner may discuss with you at consultation — including what lip filler treatment involves, what concerns it may help address, what it cannot address, the risks, and the alternatives.

Lip filler treatment is a non-surgical cosmetic procedure. At consultation, your practitioner can explain that lip filler is a hyaluronic acid-based injectable gel. Hyaluronic acid is a substance naturally found in the body that binds water and helps tissues retain moisture and volume.

The hyaluronic acid used in lip filler products is designed specifically for the delicate tissue of the lips, with a softer and more flexible consistency than products used in structural areas like the cheeks or jawline. It is gradually broken down by the body over time. Lip filler results typically last around six months — shorter than filler placed in other facial areas.

One feature of hyaluronic acid lip filler your practitioner may discuss is that it can be dissolved if needed. An enzyme called hyaluronidase can be used to break down the filler, providing a degree of reversibility uncommon among cosmetic procedures.

At consultation, your practitioner can explain the mechanism of lip filler treatment.

When injected into the lips, hyaluronic acid binds with water molecules to create volume and structure. Depending on placement, this can add fullness to the body of the lips, define the vermilion border, lift the cupid's bow, or balance asymmetry between the upper and lower lips.

The injection technique varies depending on the desired outcome. Treatments use either a fine needle or a blunt-tipped cannula. The choice between needle and cannula is a clinical judgement made by the treating practitioner, balancing precision, comfort, and bruising risk. The products used at Levant clinics contain a local anaesthetic to support patient comfort during the procedure.

Concerns that may be discussed at a lip filler consultation include:

Lip volume — Adding fullness to naturally thin lips or lips that have lost volume with age.

Lip border definition — Defining the vermilion border (the line between the lip and the surrounding skin) for a sharper appearance.

Cupid's bow shape — Enhancing or restoring the shape of the upper lip's cupid's bow.

Vermilion show / lip lift effect — Increasing the visible lip surface to create a fuller-looking pout.

Lip asymmetry — Addressing differences in size or shape between the upper and lower lip, or between left and right sides.

Smoker's lines (perioral lines) — Softening the appearance of fine vertical lines around the mouth using filler placed in the surrounding skin.

Marionette and downturned corners — Addressing downturned corners of the mouth by adding support around the lip border. Sometimes considered alongside anti-wrinkle injections.

Gummy smile (alternative consultation) — For concerns about a gummy smile, anti-wrinkle injections are usually more appropriate than filler. See our Anti-Wrinkle Injections page.

Suitability for any of the above depends on individual anatomy and goals and can only be assessed in consultation.

Lip filler products vary in consistency, longevity, and integration with surrounding tissue. Australian medical advertising guidelines for prescription-only medicines prevent us from publicly disclosing the specific brands used at our clinics — your practitioner can discuss product options during consultation.

Step 1 — Consultation

At your initial consultation, you will meet with a registered medical practitioner or appropriately trained registered nurse. Your medical history, current medications, allergies, and treatment objectives will be reviewed. The practitioner will examine your lips and surrounding area and explain whether lip filler treatment may be appropriate for you, what it can and cannot achieve, and the alternatives available. Possible risks, side effects, and limitations will be discussed.

Step 2 — Pre-Treatment

If you and your practitioner decide to proceed after consultation, you will be given pre-treatment instructions, which typically include: - Avoiding blood-thinning medications and supplements for approximately one week prior (alcohol, aspirin, ibuprofen, fish oil, vitamin E) — only on the advice of your prescribing doctor for prescription medications - Disclosing any history of cold sores; you may be advised to take prophylactic antiviral medication - Waiting at least two weeks after a COVID-19 or other vaccination - Avoiding other facial treatments (peels, laser, microneedling) in the days leading up to your appointment

Step 3 — The Procedure

The lip area is cleansed and numbed using topical anaesthetic cream. Some practitioners may also offer a dental block for additional comfort, particularly for more extensive treatment plans. The filler is then injected using a fine needle or blunt-tipped cannula. Most appointments take 30–45 minutes in total.

You may feel pressure, brief stinging, or mild pinching during the injection. Individual experiences vary.

Step 4 — Aftercare & Recovery

Most patients can return to normal activities the same day. Common short-term side effects include swelling, bruising, tenderness, and a feeling of firmness in the lips, which typically resolve within several days. Initial swelling can make the lips appear larger than the final result; the lips usually settle to their final shape within one to two weeks.

Aftercare typically includes: - Applying a cool compress (wrapped, not direct) to reduce swelling - Avoiding strenuous exercise for 24 hours - Avoiding alcohol and smoking for 24 hours - Avoiding heat exposure (saunas, hot showers) for 24–48 hours - Avoiding kissing, dental work, or anything that puts pressure on the lips for the first few days - Avoiding other facial treatments for one to two weeks - Attending a follow-up review with your practitioner two to four weeks afterwards

At consultation, your practitioner can discuss the expected duration of results.

Lip filler results typically last around six months — shorter than fillers placed in structural areas of the face. This is because the lips are highly mobile, well-vascularised, and exposed to constant movement from speaking, eating, and facial expressions, all of which contribute to faster breakdown of hyaluronic acid.

Individual factors influence duration, including metabolism, lifestyle, the volume of filler used, and the specific product. Some patients find their lip filler dissolves more quickly than six months; others retain results closer to nine months. Maintenance appointments are typically scheduled every six to nine months to preserve the outcome.

For patients new to lip filler, your practitioner may recommend a conservative first appointment with the option of a top-up two to four weeks later, once any initial swelling has resolved and the final shape can be assessed.

Lip filler and lip flip are two different procedures that address different concerns. They are sometimes considered together at consultation.

Lip filler uses hyaluronic acid to add volume to the lips. The lips become noticeably fuller, more defined, or more symmetrical depending on placement.

A lip flip uses a very small amount of anti-wrinkle injection in the muscle around the upper lip (the orbicularis oris). This relaxes the muscle slightly, allowing the upper lip to roll outward and appear fuller without adding volume. The effect is subtle and lasts around three months.

Some patients combine lip filler with a lip flip for a more pronounced upper-lip enhancement. Your practitioner can discuss whether either or both may be appropriate at consultation. See our Anti-Wrinkle Injections page for more information.

Whether lip filler treatment may be suitable for you can only be determined in consultation with a registered medical practitioner. In general, practitioners may consider:

• Adults aged 18 or over
• People wanting to address lip volume, definition, asymmetry, or shape
• Individuals in good general health with realistic expectations of subtle, natural-appearing change
• People who are not pregnant or breastfeeding
• Individuals without active cold sores or skin infection in the treatment area
• People able to attend a follow-up review two to four weeks afterwards
• Individuals who understand that results are temporary and that maintenance is required to preserve outcomes

Lip filler treatment is generally not suitable for:

• People under the age of 18
• Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals
• Anyone with a known allergy to filler components, including hyaluronic acid or lidocaine
• People with an active cold sore, skin infection, or inflammation in the lip area
• Anyone on blood-thinning medication that cannot be safely paused
• People with certain autoimmune conditions or a history of hypertrophic scarring (assessed case by case)
• Anyone seeking permanent changes — lip filler is not permanent

There is no standard price for lip filler treatment in Australia. Cost depends on the quantity of filler required (typically measured in millilitres or syringes), the specific product used, and your individual anatomy and goals. Australian advertising guidelines for prescription cosmetic injectables prevent clinics from publicly advertising specific prices.

Factors typically affecting the cost include: - The quantity of filler used (most patients require 0.5–1 mL for an initial appointment) - Whether a follow-up top-up is needed two to four weeks afterwards - The training and experience of the treating practitioner - The location of the clinic - Whether an initial consultation fee applies

At Levant Cosmetic Surgery, your practitioner will discuss what may be required for your goals at consultation and provide a written, itemised quote afterwards.

At consultation, your practitioner will discuss the risks specific to your individual situation. Possible side effects and complications include:

• Bruising, swelling, redness, and tenderness at injection sites (common, usually resolves within days)
• Lumps or nodules under the skin (uncommon; usually resolve or can be massaged out, occasionally require correction)
• Asymmetry or overcorrection (usually correctable with adjustment or dissolution)
• Allergic reaction to filler components (rare)
• Reactivation of cold sores in patients prone to herpes simplex
• Infection at the injection site (uncommon)
• Vascular complications — in rare cases, filler can inadvertently enter a blood vessel, which can lead to serious complications including tissue damage. The lip area carries lower vascular risk than the nose or under-eye but is not risk-free
• Migration of filler outside the lip border
• Tyndall effect (a bluish discolouration where filler is placed too superficially)

A practitioner trained in managing complications, including the use of hyaluronidase to dissolve filler if needed, should be a key consideration.

Read more about non-surgical procedure risks →

When choosing where to book a lip filler consultation, the following considerations may help you assess a clinic or practitioner:

AHPRA registration. All practitioners administering lip fillers must be registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. Registration numbers can be verified on the public AHPRA register.

Medical practitioner or appropriately trained registered nurse. Cosmetic nurses must work under appropriate clinical supervision and prescribing arrangements.

Aesthetic judgement. Lip filler is as much about restraint and proportion as it is about technique. The practitioner's approach can be discussed at consultation.

Access to hyaluronidase on site. This is the enzyme used to dissolve filler if a complication occurs.

A thorough consultation process. A reputable clinic will not offer same-day treatment after a brief intake. Real-time, in-person consultation is required by Australian guidelines before any prescription medicine can be administered.

No pressure to proceed. A cooling-off period and the ability to leave the consultation without making a decision are markers of a responsible practice.

• Lip fillers are a prescription medicine in Australia and can only be prescribed and administered by a qualified registered medical practitioner or appropriately trained registered nurse, following a real-time consultation.
• Australian medical advertising guidelines prevent us from publicly disclosing the specific brands of lip filler used in our clinics. Your practitioner can discuss product options during your consultation.
• We do not publish before-and-after photographs of lip filler treatment in accordance with current advertising guidelines.
• All cosmetic procedures carry risks. A consultation with a registered health practitioner is required to determine whether treatment may be suitable for your individual circumstances.
• Individual results vary and outcomes cannot be guaranteed.
• If you have a concern about a registered health practitioner, you can make a complaint to AHPRA at any time. Visit ahpra.gov.au for information about the complaints process.