"Once I took the plunge and officially entered the world of cosmetic injectables with my first Botox experience, I was forever changed. I never thought I would put myself through pain or expense for esthetic reasons, but I was wrong. My dentist suggested I try some heavy-duty Botox for my TMJ, and when the doctor said he had some units left and asked if I wanted to try them anywhere else, I figured⊠when in Rome.
And Iâve never looked back.
I love how Botox (when done correctly) is subtle, relaxes my forehead lines and enhances my skincare routine by giving me a bit of a smoother surface. But as I was warned, itâs a bit addicting. I mean, I actually look forward to it now!
The only other injectable service thatâs ever crossed my mind is lip injections.
As a beauty and skincare writer, I follow tons of doctors and injectors on Instagram, and I found myself intrigued every time I scrolled past a lip enhancement before-and-after. I never particularly cared for my lips, but I didnât hate them either. They were just⊠lips. But as I got older and became a mom, I felt like I started looking more tired and âblah.â So I began considering ways to âzhuzhâ myself up a little bit. Could the answer lie in lip injections?
Spoiler alert: Yes.
I have a super high pain tolerance, so I was never worried about that part. My chief concern was looking like certain Hollywood stars whose lips take up half their face. No thanks. I also wanted to be sure I chose the right provider, the right product, and the right service. So I turned to one of the best in the game, Dr. David Shafer of the Shafer Clinic. Heâs a double board-certified plastic surgeon practicing in New York City, a diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery, and a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
First, I learned about all the options that exist and the difference between lip flips and lip fillers. Then I decided to go for it and give lip injections a try. Hereâs what I learned.
What are lip injections?
Lip injections are exactly what they sound like: a nonsurgical procedure that involves direct injection to the lips to restore or add volume (aka lip fillers).
During the process, most injectors first use a topical or injectable numbing agent to minimize discomfort. Then the lips are directly injected at different points with a dermal filler (a gel-like substance with a hyaluronic acid base).
According to the Allergan Aesthetics Global Trends Report, patients are looking for more elevated experiences, and theyâre done with the overfilled look. Dr. Shafer says at the Shafer Clinic, they want their patients to still look natural and like themselvesâbut the best version of themselves. To achieve this, Dr. Shafer and his team often use Juvederm Ultra and Juvederm Volbella. Juvederm Volbella is thinner and gives the lips that just-glossed look, while Juvederm Ultra A delivers more volume with a pillowy effect.
So whoâs a candidate for lip injections? Essentially, theyâre for anyone whoâs looking for more plump in their lips. Though lip injections do cost more than a lip flip (pricing can vary significantly depending on the provider and location), they also last longer. To maintain your lip filler, youâll typically need to go back every 12-18 months.
What is a âlip flip?â
Unlike lip injections that use filler for volume, a lip flip uses Botox, a neurotoxin, to achieve the desired effect by manipulating your muscles. Dr. Shafer says itâs a great nonsurgical option for someone who wants fuller-looking lips but who has âa hyperactive muscle around their mouth that causes their upper lip to turn in or lift up when they smile.â
This is also known as a âgummy smileââwhen some people smile, their lip can curl under or up, revealing their gum line.
Dr. Shafer explains that this nonsurgical procedure makes your lips appear bigger, but not injected with extra volume. During the procedure, he says, âyour Cupidâs bow and corners of your mouth will be injected with Botox.â Itâs generally not painful, though the point of injection may feel like a sharp scratch. There are very few side effects to a lip flip and very little downtime. You may notice the effects starting to wear off around the three-month mark, and you can choose to go back for more to maintain your lip flip if youâd like.
Unlike lip filler, which can be dissolved with an enzyme called hyaluronidase, a lip flip canât be undone and will just wear off with time.
With Dr. Shafer
Lip filler versus a lip flip?
Essentially, Dr. Shafer says, âIf you have a decent amount of natural volume in your lips but would like to change the shape up a bit, a lip flip is a better choice. If youâre looking to add volume and have a longer lasting effect, you should choose lip filler.â But, he stresses, âAlways consult with your trusted, board-certified provider about any concerns or questions you may have!â
My experience with lip injections (plus before & after pics!)
After learning about my options, I worked up the nerve to go with lip injections. Knowing that if I hated it, I could âundoâ it was important to me, but I also wanted to get volume results. I donât have a gummy smile or much natural lip volume, so I wasnât the best candidate for a lip flip.
âGetting my lips doneâ was a really straightforward experience. First, I had a consultation with Dr. Shafer and we talked about what I was looking for. I stressed that I wanted it to be super subtle and definitely didnât want it to be obvious that I âgot them done,â and he said to achieve that, we would do a .5 syringe on top and another .5 on bottom.
Before
A topical numbing solution was applied to numb my lips. After about 20 minutes, Dr. Shafer came back and got right down to business. There were about eight pokes altogether across my top and bottom lips. It wasnât completely painless, but it wasnât awful, either.
After numbing gel
Immediately following, my lips were swollen and numb. They were a bit bigger than I had hoped for, but Iâd been reassured by Dr. Shafer, his team, and friends that the swelling would go down quickly. So I iced my lips for a bit and practiced patience (which does NOT come easily to me).
That night, my lips were swollen and sore, but instead of obsessing over it I trusted the process. The next day, they looked better.
And by the third day, I was in love (and still am).
After
