Lip fillers have soared in popularity over the last decade, with more and more people seeking to subtly enhance their pouts. But, there still persists many myths and misunderstandings about lip injections. As lip fillers become mainstream, it’s important to separate fact from fiction. This article will explore the 10 most common lip filler myths.
Myth #1: Lip filler will feel rigid, lumpy and unnatural
Many people think that lip fillers will feel hard and bumpy, like a rubber trout mouth. But modern fillers used for lips are soft and flexible. They move like real tissue. Fillers like Juvederm and Restylane can be put in to make lips look plump.
Dr. Michael Salzhauer says the newest hyaluronic acid fillers can be put in using special methods. This gives very soft, natural-looking, and feeling lips.
Why do people still think this?
Lip fillers from a long time ago were not as good. The fillers and how they were put in sometimes gave bad results. This started the myth. But fillers have improved a lot now. Most patients are very happy with how their lips look and feel today.
In the past, fillers and how they were put in were not as refined. This sometimes caused problems and started the myth that filler results would feel hard or bumpy. But fillers have changed a lot and most people are now very pleased with how their lips turn out.
Myth #2: Lip filler is permanent and cannot be reversed
Another myth holds that lip filler is irreversible and permanent once injected. However, the truth is hyaluronic acid fillers for the lips gradually dissolve over 6-12 months. No special treatment is required for this dissipation. However, for those seeking to speed up the breakdown of filler, enzymes can be injected to quickly dissolve it. This allows for adjustment of any results a patient is unhappy with.
Miami plastic surgeon Dr. Thomas Balshi comments
“With the ability to use reversal agents like hyaluronidase to immediately dissolve any unwanted filler, lip injections with hyaluronic acid products like Restylane are very controlled and reversible.”
Myth #3: Lip filler always looks fake and obvious
Many think lip filler always looks fake like an exaggerated fish mouth. But a good doctor can make lip filler look very natural by adding a small amount of volume back. How good the results look depends on how skilled the doctor is.
A famous doctor from Beverly Hills, Dr. Jason Diamond, says a small amount of filler put in well by a good doctor can give beautiful and very natural fuller lips. But a bad doctor can easily put too much on the lips and make lips look strange and not real.
Small lip filler can add back a little volume that was lost from getting older or genes, smooth out small lines, and complement a person’s natural lip shape. The key is seeing a doctor with a lot of experience who knows how to add just a little fuller lips instead of making lips too big.
Why subtle enhancement goes unnoticed
Skilled injectors like Dr. Diamond use sophisticated injection techniques placing miniscule amounts of strategically placed filler to create incredibly natural-looking results that blend seamlessly with native lip tissue. Most friends and colleagues will never detect such subtle augmentations.
Myth #4: Your lips will be saggy when the filler dissolves
Some people wrongly believe that when lip filler fades away over time, you’ll be left with saggy, wrinkly lips that look worse than before getting the injections. But the truth is, the filler provides an underlying framework that actually helps support and shape the sensitive lip tissues.
As Dr. Jason Roostaeian from UCLA explains it: “As the filler incorporates into the lips, it acts as a sort of scaffold to structurally reinforce the delicate area. So even after the product fully dissipates, the lip holds its improved form better. Patients often find they can wait longer between maintenance appointments.”
So rather than speed up aging, well-administered filler fortifies the lips’ natural collagen matrix. This means it continues improving lip appearance and texture for a good while after the initial injections have been absorbed. Pretty neat how the process works to actively rejuvenate lips both in the short and longer term.
Myth #5: Lip filler doesn’t last very long
How long lip fillers last depends on the type and amount of filler used. However, there’s a myth that lip injections don’t last and rapidly disappear requiring constant touch-ups. The data shows most lip fillers last 6-12 months on average with some remaining upwards of 18 months. UCLA’s Dr. Roostaeian finds in his practice:
“Using advanced smooth, cohesive fillers like Restylane Refyne, I generally see lips retaining volume for 9-12 months on average. But results can certainly last longer with smaller injection amounts.”
| Filler type | Longevity |
| Juvederm Volbella | 9-12 months |
| Restylane Refyne | 12+ months |
| Restylane Defyne | 6-9 months |
As demonstrated in the table above, newer generation fillers like Volbella and Refyne now offer lip augmentation lasting up to a year or more in many patients.
Myth #6: Getting lip filler is extremely painful
How much getting lip injections hurts depends on the person. But some think it’s very painful. Really, doctors use strong numbing cream before and special injection styles. So most people only feel a bit of tightness or stinging when getting lip filler.
Expert doctor Dr. Salzhauer says he rubs numbing medicine on lips for 20 minutes before. Then he puts the filler in smoothly under the numb parts using small drops. This makes it almost not hurt at all for patients.
Some lips may feel a little sore or puffy after. But doctors now can make getting the shots comfortable for most people. So don’t worry – especially with a top doctor – getting fuller lips won’t be a scary experience.
Myth #7: Lip filler is only for women
There’s a societal stereotype that lip augmentation is just for female patients. However, this is far from true with more and more men seeking subtle lip enhancement. According to annual plastic surgery statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the number of men receiving cosmetic lip injections has increased over 300% since the year 2000.
Changing beauty standards
Male pop stars and actors have begun displaying fuller lips in recent decades. At the same time, mental health advocacy is reducing stigmatization of men seeking aesthetic enhancements. These influences make subtle lip augmentation increasingly popular in male patients too.
Myth #8: Lip filler is dangerous
Like all beauty treatments, lip fillers do have some risks. But many think they are more dangerous than they really are. A top doctor has rare side effects only like some swelling, bruising, allergy or uneven results.
Serious problems blocking blood flow are very, very rare – happening in only 0.001% of cases.
A UCLA facial doctor, Dr. Jason Roostaeian says with a good licensed doctor using safe fillers, risk of major issues is extremely low. Most side effects like puffy or bruised lips go away fast.
So while not 100% risk free, lip fillers done right have a great safety history making them a relatively safe way to get fuller lips. Don’t be scared – modern fillers are very safe with an experienced doctor.
Myth #9: Lip filler is only for people with thin lips
Some think lip fillers only help thin lips. But good doctors also use fillers to balance lips, improve their shape, or give a bit more plumpness to already fuller lips. Top Beverly Hills doctors say beautiful natural results have more to do with how skilled the provider is, not the starting lip size or shape.
Dr. Roostaeian from UCLA talks about who is a good fit. He says the best doctor will look at the whole face and lips during a talk. They can decide who will help from filler based on each person’s unique lip look and wants – no matter the starting lip size.
So while those with thinner lips may want more filler, even people with naturally fuller lips can get nice shaping and refining with a small amount from a top provider’s hands. Fillers are not just for thin lips.
Myth#10: Modern Lip Filler Advances
As explained, lip fillers and injection methods have gotten much better. This shows most ideas about lip injections are not true. Both hyaluronic acid fillers and using lip fillers are approved by the FDA as very safe when done right. Results from board certified doctors look natural and make patients happy.
Doctors now use special injection styles to gently and naturally make lips look fuller in a way that fits each person. The goal is to get youthful, beautiful lip shape back in a very natural way. By choosing experienced doctors focused on subtle lip changes instead of overdone ones, you can renew lips while still looking natural. Modern lip fillers are about making improvements, not making drastic changes.
FAQ’s
Do lip fillers have negative effects?
Yes, lip fillers can cause side effects like lumps, scarring and infection if not done properly.
Why do lip fillers never look natural?
Lip fillers are not absorbed by the body and look artificially bigger which does not look like natural full lips.
Do people regret lip fillers?
Sometimes yes, lip fillers are not permanent and effect fade with time so people regret getting fillers when lips lose shape or look unnatural.
Why is everyone getting lip filler?
Social media influence and desire to look like beauty influencers/ celebrities with plump full lips drives many people to get temporary lip fillers done.
Conclusion
Modern fillers act like the body’s natural moisturizers. This lets experienced doctors smoothly and softly plump lips to look and feel normal. Unlike old permanent implants, the latest hyaluronic acid fillers gradually go away over a year. This gives people flexibility if they later want a change. So those thinking about fuller lips can feel better thanks to recent changes. As long as the doctor aims to make lips shapely and sensual, not overdone, the results will likely balance well with natural looks. In the past fillers had a reputation for looking fake or too much, but truly lip injections today can seem very natural when done right.
