Medically Reviewed June 2023, by Dr Toni Phillips, Group Clinical Director, for sk:n. Next review due June 2024.

Lip fillers are the perfect way to plump up your lips for an almost instant change in your appearance. Made from hyaluronic acid, this substance is naturally occurring in our bodies, which means it breaks down over time. Due to this breakdown, you need to upkeep the filler to keep the results. Read on to learn all you need to know about lip filler upkeep.

 

How often should you top up lip fillers?

If you’re wondering “how often should you get lip fillers” then the general advice to follow is, that to maintain the desired size, most patients have to have a top-up procedure every 6-12 months. Depending on the substance used and the patient’s age, this may vary depending on the individual.

How often can you get lip fillers?

Before re-injecting additional filler into the lips, most dermatologists wait two weeks. That’s because your final results won’t be visible until the swelling and bruising from the procedure have gone down. In general, the filler can be administered 3 weeks after the original procedure to get the desired outcome.

 

How to maintain lip fillers

You can’t extend the life of your fillers‌, but several factors can speed up the absorption of the filler and shorten its duration. You may extend the life of your filler by doing the following.

• Stick to your aftercare advice: With the minimal downtime required for lip fillers, it is easy to get back to your daily routine right after the procedure. However, special post-injection care instructions will be provided, and you must adhere to them. Taking proper care of your lips from the start will help them last longer and keep them looking their best.
• Avoid the sun: Certain forms of filler can break down more quickly when exposed to UV rays, which means your body will absorb them sooner than you’d like. Make sure to use a high SPF sunscreen, wear a wide-brimmed hat to protect your face and lips, and spend some time in the shade at peak times.

Maintaining your filler is the best tip we can give if you don’t want your pout to change too much. Your lips will revert to their normal shape and size if you don’t have a top-up injection in the next 12-18 months. Speak with your doctor about how often you should come in for a touch-up to create the appearance that you want and make the fillers last longer.

 

What happens when lip fillers wear off?

With non-permanent lip fillers, lips should return to their original shape as they wear off. In reality, hyaluronic acid-based fillers are readily broken down by the body since hyaluronic acid naturally occurs in the body. The lips will gradually lose volume in the months following lip filler treatment before reverting to their natural form.

Regardless of whether or not your selected filler boosts collagen production, the vast majority of the time, no filler will have a negative, long-lasting effect on your face. Unless you’re getting a different procedure, you shouldn’t need extra lip fillers the second time around if you decide to get fillers again.

 

Key Learnings

• Lip fillers should be topped up every 6-4 months
• You can top up your lip fillers 3 weeks after the original injection
• Your lips will revert to their normal shape and size if you don’t have a top-up injection in the next 12-18 months
• You may extend the life of your filler by avoiding actions that cause the body to absorb it quicker

Find your nearest clinic and arrange a consultation with one of our dermatologists for advice on how lip fillers can work for you