Lip Filler Before and After: 15 Photos, Results & FAQs

Scroll down and you’ll find 15 genuine lip-filler before-and-after photos, a clear idea of the results you can expect, and no-nonsense answers to the questions patients ask most often. A lip filler is a smooth hyaluronic-acid gel injected with a fine needle or cannula to add volume, balance symmetry and sharpen the borders of your lips – quick to place, fully reversible and tailored millilitre by millilitre.

Seeing real examples matters because every mouth is unique; what flatters a heart-shaped Cupid’s bow differs from restoring definition to mature lips. By comparing photographs you can set realistic expectations, recognise good technique and decide whether subtle hydration or a statement pout feels more ‘you’. Lighting, angles and healing timelines are explained alongside each shot, helping you judge what is day-one swelling and what is the settled finish.

After the gallery we walk through the entire process – filler types, injection methods, swelling timeline, costs, safety checks, aftercare and a rapid-fire FAQ – so you can proceed to your consultation armed with facts rather than guesswork.

15 Real Lip Filler Before-and-After Photos (What Each Transformation Shows)

The following gallery pairs a short clinical note with each image so you know exactly what you’re looking at. We’ve chosen a mix of ages, genders, lip shapes and filler volumes to prove that “lip filler before and after” isn’t a one-size-fits-all concept. Swipe through in clinic and you’ll see* raw* day-one photos, plus the fully settled results two to four weeks later, shot in the same lighting for fairness.

1. Subtle 0.5 ml Top-Up for Naturally Full Lips

Definition over dimension: a feather-light outline sharpened the Cupid’s bow, with only mild swelling that resolved overnight.

2. Balancing a Thin Upper Lip (1 ml Classic)

Upper-to-lower ratio corrected to roughly 1:1.6, making lipstick sit evenly and softening “toothier” smiles in selfies.

3. Mature Lips (Age 52) Softening Vertical Lines

A supple HA gel placed with micro-droplets blurred smoker’s lines while retaining the patient’s natural lip width.

4. Russian-Technique “Lifted” Cupid’s Bow (2 ml over 2 Sessions)

Vertical tenting created height rather than forward projection; note the crisp white-roll border with no sign of migration.

5. Correcting Down-Turned Corners

Two 0.1 ml boluses at each commissure lifted the edges, turning a “resting sad face” into a relaxed neutral.

6. Male Lip Enhancement (1 ml)

Straight profile maintained; hydration and mild projection achieved without shine or overt roundness, keeping results undetectable.

7. Dissolving Overfilled Lips + Fresh Refill

Week 0: hyaluronidase flattened “duck” lips. Week 6: 0.8 ml rebuild restored proportion patiently and safely.

8. Asymmetry Fix After Cleft-Lip Repair

Incremental 0.4 ml sessions evened vermillion height while respecting scar tissue and blood supply.

9. Enhancing Side-Profile Projection

0.7 ml placed along the vermillion border improved the naso-labial angle, giving the profile a gentle curve.

10. Gummy Smile Camouflage with 0.7 ml

Slight eversion dropped the upper lip 2 mm, covering gingiva without Botox or surgery.

11. Smokers’ Lines with Peri-Oral Filler

Combination approach: 0.5 ml in the border plus 0.3 ml sub-dermal smoothed barcode wrinkles after eight years of smoking.

12. Youthful Hydration Boost (0.3 ml Skinbooster)

Think lip balm that lasts six months: subtle sheen, zero extra volume, perfect for 20-somethings.

13. Correction of Previous Migration (“Duck Lips”)

After dissolving, 1 ml was placed strictly inside the natural border, restoring definition and removing the beak-like shadow.

14. Post-Orthodontic Volume Loss Restoration

Retraction braces had flattened lips; 0.9 ml re-inflated soft tissue so the bite and face now match.

15. Ethnic Inclusivity: Indian Skin Tone, Natural Contour

1 ml tailored to her melanin-rich lips enhanced shape without lightening pigment, dispelling a common myth.

Demystifying Lip Fillers: Types, Ingredients and Injection Techniques

You’ve seen the lip filler before and after photos; now let’s decode what is actually being injected, how it’s placed and whether it’s right for you. A quick chemistry and technique primer keeps marketing fluff at bay and helps you ask sharper questions at consultation.

Hyaluronic-Acid Fillers Explained

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a sugar your body already makes. Laboratory HA is tweaked by cross-linking the chains so they hold shape for months instead of minutes. Softer, short-chain gels (e.g. Belotero Balance) spread easily for fine lines, while denser, long-chain gels (e.g. Juvéderm Voluma) add structural height. Because HA is reversible with the enzyme hyaluronidase, it remains the gold-standard filler approved by the MHRA in the UK.

Key Injection Techniques & When They’re Used

Technique	Best for	Pros	Cons
Linear threading	General volume	Even distribution	Slightly more bruising
Russian tenting	Vertical lift	Sharp Cupid’s bow	Higher swelling; needs skill
Micro-bolus	Corner lift, asymmetry	Precise tweaks	Time-consuming
Cannula sweep	Bruise-prone patients	Fewer needle entries	Less border definition

How Much Filler Do You Really Need?

First-timers usually start with 0.5–1 ml. That’s enough to see a difference without overstretching delicate lip tissue—or your budget. Building gradually also lets the clinician assess how your lips hydrate and how quickly you metabolise HA before committing to bigger top-ups.

Who Is (and Isn’t) a Good Candidate?

Suitable: healthy adults 18+, stable body image, no active cold-sores. Avoid or delay treatment if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, take blood thinners, have an uncontrolled autoimmune or bleeding disorder, or are allergic to lidocaine. Reputable clinics will screen for body dysmorphia and explain alternatives if filler isn’t the safe choice.

From Needle to Final Look: The Lip Filler Timeline

Understanding the step-by-step healing journey stops you panicking when day-two lips look nothing like the glossy “after” shot. Use the guide below as a reality checklist: what’s normal, what needs a phone call, and how long you’ll enjoy the result before booking a top-up.

Immediate Post-Injection (Minutes 0 – 60)

• Lips feel numb and “chalky” from the anaesthetic; expect mild pin-prick bleeding.

• Instant swelling of up to 20 % is common – it actually helps the injector spot any unevenness.

• Normal: tingling, firmness, tiny white blanching spots that fade within minutes.

• Not normal: mottled blanching that worsens, severe pain, or grey discolouration – call the clinic straight away.

The First 48 Hours: Peak Swelling & Bruising

• Day 1 morning: lips may double in size; keep ice packs on for 10 minutes every hour.

• Avoid alcohol, high-salt meals and strenuous exercise; they all draw fluid to the face.

• Arnica gel and paracetamol help with tenderness – skip ibuprofen as it thins blood.

Days 3 – 7: Settling Phase

• Bruises turn from purple to yellow; swelling drops by roughly half.

• Small lumps under the skin usually soften on their own; gentle fingertip rolling (if advised) speeds integration.

• Flaking or dry patches? Slather on fragrance-free ointment – no active acids yet.

Weeks 2 – 4: Final Result & Review Appointment

• HA has now attracted water and merged with tissue, giving the true shape you’ll keep for months.

• Your clinician may photograph a fresh “after” and offer a micro-top-up if tiny asymmetries persist.

Longevity Factors (6 – 12 Months on Average)

• Faster breakdown in smokers, high-metabolism gym-goers and those who gesticulate or chew gum a lot.

• Denser products and larger volumes last longer but must suit your anatomy.

• Schedule a review at 6–9 months to maintain the balanced proportions seen in the lip filler before and after gallery.

Safety First: Side-Effects, Risks and How to Avoid the “Duck Look”

Most poor outcomes are preventable with sensible dosing, sterile technique and a clinician who knows when to say “enough”. Use this section as your risk checklist before you chase the glossy lip filler before and after photos.

Common, Minor Side-Effects

• Swelling and tenderness peak within 24–48 h and settle by day seven.

• Pin-point bruises at entry sites fade in a week; apply covered ice and arnica cream.

• Temporary lumps feel like rice grains; gentle massage (only if advised) usually smooths them. Over-the-counter paracetamol is fine, but ditch ibuprofen and alcohol for 24 h because they thin the blood.

Serious Complications & Red-Flag Symptoms

Act fast if you notice:

• Sudden blanching or dusky skin, severe pain, or a net-like rash — possible vascular occlusion.

• Increasing redness, heat or pus — infection.

• Swelling of tongue or throat — rare allergy. Immediate steps: stop massaging, call your injector’s emergency line, and head to A&E if vision blurs or pain is extreme. Early hyaluronidase can reverse most vascular events.

Choosing a Qualified Medical Injector

In the UK, stick to GMC, GDC or NMC-registered professionals working from CQC-inspected premises. Ask to see:

1. Product box with batch sticker (CE or UKCA mark).

2. Written complication protocol and on-site hyaluronidase.

3. Before-and-after portfolio of healed results, not just swollen day-ones. Cheap mobile injectors rarely tick these boxes — that’s how duck lips happen.

Dissolving Filler with Hyaluronidase

Hyaluronidase is an enzyme that melts hyaluronic-acid gels within hours. A patch test on the forearm rules out allergy. Expect mild stinging, swelling and a couple of days of puckering while the tissue re-hydrates. Fees run £150–£300 per session, but it’s cheaper than living with migrated filler. Once the area is calm (usually after two weeks), a cautious refill can restore natural shape — minus the beak.

UK Lip Filler Prices: What Determines the Cost?

Lip-filler fees in the UK run the gamut from budget pop-ups to Harley-Street luxe. Remember: you’re paying for both product and professional skill, so the cheapest quote isn’t always the real bargain.

Average Price Range by Region and Volume

Location / Provider	First 0.5 ml	1 ml top-up	Notes
Central London clinic	£250–£300	£350–£450	Highest overheads
Regional UK clinic	£180–£220	£250–£350	Similar product, lower rent
Mobile / home injector	£120–£180	£180–£250	Often non-medical; higher risk

Variables That Influence Fees

• Medical qualifications and years of experience

• Clinic standards (CQC registration, emergency kit on-site)

• Filler brand (premium cross-linked HA costs more)

• Extras: follow-up review, numbing cream, aftercare pack

Payment & Finance Options

• 0 % interest plans spreading cost over 3–10 months

• Pay-as-you-go mini top-ups charged per 0.1 ml

• Membership bundles that include annual review and discounts on skincare

Preparing for Treatment and Looking After Your New Lips

A bit of planning goes a long way toward a smooth appointment and a result that matches the lip filler before and after photos you’ve bookmarked. Use the check-lists below to keep surprises to a minimum.

Essential Questions to Ask at Consultation

• Which HA brand and volume do you recommend for my goal?

• Do you have healed photos of similar lips?

• What is your emergency protocol and is hyaluronidase on-site?

Pre-Treatment Dos & Don’ts

• Do: arrive well-hydrated, eat a light meal, organise a lift home.

• Don’t: drink alcohol, take aspirin/ibuprofen, fish-oil or vitamin E within 72 h.

• Reschedule if you have a cold-sore or feel unwell.

Post-Treatment Aftercare Checklist

• Ice 10 min on/10 min off for the first hour.

• Sleep propped up; no make-up, saunas, or kissing for 24 h.

• Stick to paracetamol, avoid hot drinks until numbness fades.

Maintaining Results for the Long Term

Apply SPF lip balm daily, moisturise with HA-rich balms, and book a 6–9 month review to top up subtly before the filler fully dissipates. Healthy lifestyle, less smoking, slower fade.

Quick-Fire FAQs About Lip Fillers

Short on time? The answers below cut through the noise and cover what most first-timers want to know.

How long do lip fillers last?

Around six to twelve months; denser gels and lower metabolisms tend to swing towards the upper end.

Do lip fillers hurt? What does it feel like?

With lidocaine-loaded filler and topical cream, most patients rate it three out of ten—more pressure than pain.

Do lip fillers look bad at first?

Expect swelling, bruising and mild asymmetry for up to 72 h; if colour blanches or pain is severe, call your injector.

What is the downside of lip fillers?

Ongoing cost, maintenance appointments and small but real risks such as vascular occlusion or infection.

What I wish I knew before getting lip fillers?

Less is often more; heed professional advice, allow settling time and budget for dissolving if tastes change.

Can men get lip fillers?

Absolutely—techniques focus on straight profiles and matte finishes to keep results subtle and masculine.

Ready to Love Your New Lips?

Fifteen realistic before-and-after shots prove that well-placed filler can be anything from barely-there hydration to a sculpted Cupid’s bow. Now you know how the products work, what the healing timeline feels like, the red-flags that keep you safe and the costs involved, the next step is simply choosing a qualified injector you trust. If you live in Luton or the surrounding villages, our medical aesthetics team would love to meet you. Book a free, no-pressure consultation at Wigmore Smiles & Aesthetics and we’ll map out a treatment plan that flatters your features, respects your budget and leaves you genuinely excited to smile.