Lip Filler in the Washington DC Area: Reston, VA and Chevy Chase, MD
Lip filler at The Naderi Center is performed only by physicians: Dr. Shervin Naderi, a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon, and Dr. Alexandra Snodgrass, a board-certified dermatologist, at our offices in Reston, Virginia and Chevy Chase, Maryland.
We have been injecting lips for more than 20 years. Our goal is lips that look like yours, only fuller and better shaped, built gradually with tiny micro-droplets of Restylane Kysse, RHA or Juvederm filler.
Physician-Performed Injections
100,000+ Procedures Performed
4.9★ from 1,100+ Google Reviews
Lip filler at a glance
- $900per syringe
- About 5 minto inject, after numbing
- Same dayback to work
- About 1 weekfor swelling to settle
- 6 to 12 monthsbetween touch-ups
- Physicians onlyReston and Chevy Chase
Dr. Shervin Naderi, named to Newsweek America’s Best Plastic Surgeons
- 2023
- 2024
- 2025
- 2026
Every lip injection at The Naderi Center is performed by one of two physicians, a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon and a board-certified dermatologist. The Naderi Center has been injecting lips for more than 20 years, and both physicians see patients in Reston and Chevy Chase.
Specialization Matters!SM
Dr. Shervin Naderi, MD, FACS
Double Board-Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon
Injecting lips for more than 20 years
Lip injections featured in NewBeauty Magazine
Dr. Naderi is known for natural, well-shaped lips built with his micro-droplet technique. His lip injection videos are followed by patients and by other injectors who use them to refine their own technique, and he is regularly invited onto podcasts and live shows to talk about fillers. As a facial plastic surgeon who also performs lip lifts and fat injections, he tells you honestly when filler is the right answer and when it is not.
Credentials
- Board certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
- Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS)
- Former national clinical trainer for Allergan and Medicis, teaching physicians filler injection
- Oral board examiner for the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
- Author of textbook chapters on facial plastic surgery
- Member and former officer, American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
- Former clinical assistant professor, Indiana University School of Medicine
Recognition
- Newsweek, America’s Best Plastic Surgeons, 2023 to 2026
- Washingtonian Top Doctor, selected year after year
- Castle Connolly Top Doctor, 2026
- Northern Virginia Magazine and Arlington Magazine Top Doctor; Best of Bethesda
- Voted one of the top 25 injectors in the country by RealSelf users
- Lip injections featured in NewBeauty Magazine
Dr. Alexandra Snodgrass, MD
Board-Certified Dermatologist, Cosmetic Dermatology
Thousands of patients treated with fillers and Botox
Dr. Snodgrass focuses on cosmetic dermatology, with a special interest in non-surgical facial rejuvenation with fillers and Botox. She has treated thousands of patients with cosmetic injectables and performs lip filler, Botox, PRF and other injectables at both of our offices.
Credentials
- Diplomate of the American Board of Dermatology
- Dermatology residency at the University of Florida, one of the most competitive residencies in the country
- Medical degree from the University of Florida; college at Mercer University
- Author of scientific articles and textbook chapters, and presenter at national meetings
Memberships
- American Academy of Dermatology
- American Society for Dermatologic Surgery
- Women’s Dermatologic Society
- American Medical Association
What Lip Filler Can Do
Lip filler adds volume, shape and balance to the lips with a soft hyaluronic acid gel. Done well, it should look like your own lips on a good day.
Tap the lips that look most like yours to see how we usually treat them, how much filler it often takes and a real patient result.
↑ Tap a lip type above to see your result
Thin lips
- What usually helps
- Filler built up in stages, a few weeks apart, so the lips stretch gradually and stay soft instead of stiff.
- Typical amount
- Usually one syringe per visit. Very thin lips often need two or three visits to reach the goal.
- Fillers often used
- Restylane Kysse or Juvederm
Thin upper lip
- What usually helps
- Most of the filler goes to the upper lip, and a lower lip that is already full is left alone. Dr. Naderi likes the upper and lower lips close to the same size, though age and other factors play a role.
- Typical amount
- Usually one syringe.
- Fillers often used
- Restylane Kysse, Juvederm or RHA
Uneven lips
- What usually helps
- Filler is placed only where it is needed to even out the two sides. A small difference is normal, so the goal is balance, not a mirror image.
- Typical amount
- Usually one syringe. Any filler left over can be placed where it helps balance the face.
- Fillers often used
- Restylane Kysse or Juvederm
Lips thinning with age
- What usually helps
- Soft filler restores the volume and the border, and a fine filler such as RHA Redensity softens the lines above the lip. Deeper lines can be treated with laser resurfacing.
- Typical amount
- Often one syringe, sometimes with a second syringe for the lines.
- Fillers often used
- RHA Redensity, RHA 2 or Juvederm Volbella
Soft border or flat Cupid's bow
- What usually helps
- Micro-droplets along the border sharpen the edge of the lip and bring back the shape of the Cupid's bow. A filler that holds its shape well is usually chosen.
- Typical amount
- Usually one syringe. Any filler left over can be placed where it helps balance the face.
- Fillers often used
- Restylane Kysse
Full lips, want a little more
- What usually helps
- A small amount adds a soft pout and definition without losing your natural shape. Lips with fine pleats can usually take volume more quickly than thin, tight lips.
- Typical amount
- Usually one syringe.
- Fillers often used
- Juvederm, Restylane Kysse or RHA
This is a general guide. Your physician will examine your lips and make a plan with you at your visit. Not sure which one you are? Send a photo for a virtual consultation.
What Is Lip Filler?
Lip filler is an injection of hyaluronic acid, a sugar molecule your body already makes, prepared as a smooth gel. It holds water, so it adds soft volume where it is placed. The fillers made for lips also contain lidocaine, a numbing medicine.
Hyaluronic acid filler is not permanent. Your body breaks it down slowly over months, and if you ever want it gone sooner, it can be dissolved with an enzyme called hyaluronidase.
Volume and shape
- Thin lips, or lips that have thinned with age
- A flat or undefined Cupid’s bow
- A soft or blurred lip border
- A thin upper lip next to a fuller lower lip
- Lips that are uneven from side to side
The area around the lips
- Fine vertical lines above the lip (lipstick lines), often with RHA Redensity
- Down-turned corners of the mouth
- Lips that were overfilled elsewhere. We can dissolve and correct old filler, then rebuild the shape.
- A gummy smile, which is often better treated with a small amount of Botox
Both make lips look fuller. They work in very different ways.
Upper lip rolls out
Lip Flip
Shows more of the lip you already have
- HowA very small amount of Botox relaxes the muscle above the upper lip
- VolumeNone added
- ResultsStart in 3 to 5 days, full at about 2 weeks
- LastsAbout 2 to 3 months
- DowntimeNone
- Best forAn upper lip that disappears when you smile, or a gummy smile
Volume and shape added
Lip Filler
Adds fullness, shape and a defined border
- HowSoft hyaluronic acid gel placed in the lips in tiny droplets
- VolumeYes, upper and lower lip
- ResultsRight away, final at about 2 weeks
- LastsAbout 6 to 12 months
- DowntimeSome swelling, mostly gone within a week
- Best forThin, uneven or aging lips, or a soft lip border
Not sure which one you need? Your physician looks at your lips at rest and when you smile, and tells you at your consultation. A long upper lip may need a lip lift instead. Compare filler, lip flip and lip lift
Why We Build Lips Slowly, With Micro-Droplets
The most common problem we see is lips that were filled too much, too fast. Thin, tight lips can only stretch so far in one visit. When more filler goes in than the lip can hold, it spills over the border into the skin above the lip, the edge of the lip blurs, and the lip looks puffy above it. People call that migration. Dr. Naderi calls it spillover, and it is avoidable.
“You can’t make thin lips go full in one shot. That’s just not going to happen.”
Dr. Shervin Naderi
How we inject lips
- Micro-droplets. Many tiny droplets placed at different depths give a smoother result than a few large deposits, with less need for massage.
- We examine before we inject. Areas that are already full are left alone, so the lips keep their natural shape and balance.
- Built in stages. Thin lips are filled over a few visits, a few weeks apart, so they stay soft.
- Topical numbing, no dental block. Numbing cream and a slow, gentle technique keep the treatment comfortable for most people.
“Fillers do not migrate. If you overfill the lips, the filler goes from here and spills over, so you lose the border.”
Dr. Shervin Naderi
Who Is a Good Candidate for Lip Filler?
Lip filler is a good fit if you have:
- Thin lips, or lips that have lost volume with age
- An upper and lower lip that are out of proportion
- Uneven lips, or a border you would like more defined
- Fine lines above the upper lip
- A wish for a natural result you can build on over time
We will suggest something else when:
- The distance between the nose and the upper lip is long. A lip lift shortens it and shows more of the lip.
- You want a longer-lasting result. Fat injections to the lips use your own fat.
- The upper lip only needs to roll out a little. A Botox lip flip may be enough.
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have an active cold sore. We will wait.
We will bring the experience.
There is no single "right" lip. Your physician shapes the filler to your face, and you can bring in any look you like. These are the shapes patients ask for most.
Natural
Soft, even fullness that keeps your own shape.
Defined Cupid's Bow
Crisper peaks and a sharper border on the top lip.
Fuller Pout
More volume in both lips, in proportion to your face.
Lifted ("Russian")
Height through the center of the top lip, with a flatter profile.
Border Only
A defined lip line with little added volume.
Balanced
More filler on the smaller side to even out uneven lips.
Dashed line: the lips before filler
What Happens During a Lip Filler Appointment?
Lip filler is done in the office. Plan on 20 to 30 minutes for numbing cream; the injections themselves usually take about 5 minutes.
Real patients of The Naderi Center, treated by our physicians. Use the buttons to switch between close-up photos of the lips and full-face photos that show how the lips fit the face.
Before and after results of patients with lip filler. Individual results may vary.
See all of our lip filler before and after photos
When will you see results, and how long do they last?
- Right away: you see the new shape before you leave.
- The next morning: swelling is usually at its peak, and the lips look bigger than the final result.
- About one week: most of the swelling has settled.
- Two weeks: this is your result. If you want more, this is the time to add it.
Most patients come back every 6 to 12 months. A first treatment can fade sooner. With regular touch-ups, many patients find they need less filler to keep their result.
Every lip filler we use is a hyaluronic acid filler that can be dissolved if needed. Your physician chooses the filler for your lips and your goal, and many patients do well with more than one.
Restylane Kysse
Lip volume and definition
Made for the lips and FDA approved for lip augmentation. It holds its shape, so it is often chosen to define the border and the Cupid's bow.
Juvederm Volbella XC
Subtle volume and fine lines
A fine, smooth gel FDA approved for the lips and the lines around the mouth. A good choice for natural, subtle volume.
Juvederm Ultra XC
Softer, fuller lips
A soft gel FDA approved for lip augmentation. It gives a fuller, more noticeable look.
RHA Redensity
Fine lines around the mouth
A very soft, flexible filler FDA approved for lines around the mouth, like the vertical lines above the upper lip that make lipstick bleed.
RHA 2
Soft volume that moves
A flexible filler designed to move with your expressions, for soft volume and lines around the lips.
Want a longer-lasting option? Fat injections to the lips use your own fat and are done by Dr. Naderi in the operating room, often with other facial procedures. A lip lift permanently shortens a long upper lip. Want to restore volume in the midface too? See cheek filler. Learn more about all of our dermal fillers.
What Does the Research Say About Lip Filler?
Hyaluronic acid lip filler is one of the most studied cosmetic treatments. Two studies worth knowing:
Most patients still had fuller lips at 6 months
A 2021 review that pooled studies of hyaluronic acid lip filler found that about 91% of patients had fuller lips at 2 months, 74% at 6 months and 46% at 12 months. Most side effects, such as tenderness, swelling and bruising, were mild and short-lived.
Czumbel LM, et al. Hyaluronic Acid Is an Effective Dermal Filler for Lip Augmentation: A Meta-Analysis. Frontiers in Surgery, 2021. Read the study
Restylane Kysse compared with Juvederm Volbella
In a randomized, evaluator-blinded study of 270 patients, Restylane Kysse gave lip fullness comparable to Juvederm Volbella XC at 8 weeks while using about 20% less filler. Results lasted through 48 weeks in most patients, and side effects were mostly mild.
Weiss R, et al. A Randomized, Controlled, Evaluator-Blinded, Multi-Center Study of Hyaluronic Acid Filler Effectiveness and Safety in Lip Fullness Augmentation. Dermatologic Surgery, 2021. Read the study
Lip Filler Videos
Watch Dr. Naderi inject lips up close and explain his technique, in his own words.
0:32 video
Micro-Droplet Lip Filler, Up Close
Tiny droplets build soft, natural fullness and a defined border, never overfilled.
Book a consultation0:22 video
Thin Lips, Made Fuller
Watch thin lips gently built up with filler, with the before and after at the end.
Book a consultation4:13 video
Lip Injections Start to Finish with Dr. Snodgrass
Dr. Snodgrass walks through a lip treatment with one syringe of Restylane Kysse, with before and after photos at the end.
Watch on YouTube4:06 video
What Does One Syringe of Filler Really Look Like?
Dr. Naderi shows how little filler one syringe really is, and why one syringe is usually plenty for the lips.
Read the transcript6:40 video
How Do You Get Natural-Looking Lip Filler?
Dr. Naderi starts conservatively and explains why tight, youthful lips are built in stages.
Read the transcript7:59 video
Why Does Overfilled Lip Filler Look Like It Migrated?
Filler does not migrate. Dr. Naderi shows how overfilling spills over the border, and how to avoid it.
Read the transcript10:43 video
How Do You Make Thin Lips Fuller Without a Duck-Lip Look?
Why thin lips are filled over several visits, a few weeks apart.
Read the transcript7:06 video
How Do You Balance a Thin Top Lip with Filler?
Adding volume to the upper lip while leaving a full lower lip alone.
Read the transcript12:12 video
What Is the Micro-Droplet Lip Injection Technique?
Many tiny droplets, placed at different depths, for a smooth result without lumps.
Read the transcriptWhat Our Patients Say About Lip Filler
4.9 on Google from 1,100+ reviews
“He makes them look like they belong to you.”
“…It was my first injection ever, so I was pretty nervous… My lips didn’t swell nearly as much as I thought they would and I could see immediate results that didn’t look crazy. He makes them look like they belong to you… Not everyone is cut out to inject, but Naderi center most certainly is.”
★★★★★Patient review
“Dr. Naderi exceeded my expectations.”
“I’ll preface this review by saying I’m one of those extremely picky patients who really does strive for close to perfection when it comes to injectables. Dr. Naderi exceeded my expectations- he was open to listening to what I wanted, but didn’t overcommit and promise something that in his mind wasn’t realistic. I’m really happy with my results… He’s seriously talented without being over-confident and I’d 100% recommend him.”
★★★★★Patient review
“My lips are gorgeous.”
“Can not begin to say how amazing Dr. Snodgrass and Brianna are! They have me for life!!! My lips are gorgeous.”
★★★★★M.F.Patient review
“The most beautiful lips.”
“I swear Dr. Naderi hands down creates the most BEAUTIFUL LIPS!!!! P.S. I follow a ton of injectors across the states!”
★★★★★Patient review
“A godsent for first time injections AND corrections.”
“Traumatized and duck lipped with more Juvederm than my tiny lips could handle – I came to Dr. Naderi… Needless to say I haven’t gone to anyone else for the last 4 years. He’s a godsent for first time injections AND corrections. So glad I found him!”
★★★★★Patient review
“It looks so natural and full.”
“I’ve been coming to Dr. Naderi for years for my lips fillers. He is very gentle and makes you feel comfortable during the entire procedure. He does an amazing job and it looks so natural and full! Would definitely recommend!!!”
★★★★★Patient review
“My lips look great.”
“Dr. Snodgrass and the staff at the Naderi center are always my favorite people to see. My lips look great!”
★★★★★Google review
“The shape is beautiful.”
“I received my first lip augmentation… and I could not be happier… I have small undefined lips and my circumstance required a custom technique. Dr. Naderi used a combination of Restylane for the definition of my lips and Juvaderm for the fatty part… The shape is beautiful. The nurse applied numbing cream… The end result… gorgeous lips.”
★★★★★Patient review
“The proportion with my top lip seems perfect.”
“The filler we did just in my bottom lip turned out PERFECT!!! It is exactly what I’ve always wanted to achieve with my lip – now the bottom lip is a bit pouty and the proportion with my top lip seems perfect to me… I really, really love it.”
★★★★★C.Patient review
“The best lip fillers ever!”
“The staff and service is amazing! Everyone is super helpful and personable as soon as you enter their doors. Dr. Snodgrass performs the best lip fillers ever!!”
★★★★★Y.H.Patient review
“I was crying tears of joy.”
“Prior to coming to him I had lip filler that were not so good, uneven… Dr. Naderi did an outstanding job. When he was done I was crying tears of joy!! They are 100 percent better. I’m so happy. I definitely recommend.”
★★★★★Patient review
“He used numbing cream instead of a dental block.”
“I highly recommend Dr. Naderi. He was very gentle and has a great eye for detail. Instead of performing a dental block he used numbing cream… From past experience I was given a dental block and it was pretty painful!!! However with Dr. Naderi’s method I required almost little to no down time after the procedure. I couldn’t be happier with my results.”
★★★★★Patient review
“The best results I’ve ever had.”
“Dr. Naderi is clearly a very skilled injector and did a fantastic job giving me the rounder cheeks and fuller lips I had been hoping for… the results are subtle (which is what I wanted) but beautiful… even the lip injections barely hurt. What impressed me the most was how artfully he sculpted my face, taking my natural asymmetry into account… Dr. Naderi has given me the best results I’ve ever had.”
★★★★★Patient review
“Dr Naderi took his time.”
“I had a great experience with Dr Naderi! The entire office staff is super nice and welcoming. Dr Naderi took his time talking to me making sure all my needs were met. I am looking forward to getting more lip injections with him!”
★★★★★Patient review
“I love how my lips turned out.”
“I love how my lips turned out… I feel amazing after my treatment with Dr. Naderi. I recommend him to all of you, he is caring and honest. I really liked my experience with him.”
★★★★★Patient review
How Much Does Lip Filler Cost in the Washington DC Area?
Included in your price
- Numbing cream before your injections
- A full consultation with Dr. Naderi or Dr. Snodgrass, where you are welcome to ask about anything else on your face during the same visit
Lip filler at The Naderi Center is $900 per syringe, whichever filler you choose.
Most first-time patients need one syringe. Very thin lips are often built over two or three visits.
| Filler | Made by |
|---|---|
| Restylane Kysse | Galderma |
| RHA Redensity | Revance |
| RHA 2 | Revance |
| Juvederm Ultra XC | Allergan |
| Juvederm Volbella XC | Allergan |
Prices are from our menu of services and are subject to change.
Botched Lip Filler
Need Lip Filler From Elsewhere Corrected?
If filler from another office looks overfilled, lumpy or has spread past your lip line, our physicians can fix it.
Dissolve the old filler
$1,500We dissolve the old filler with hyaluronidase so your lips can return to their natural shape.
Rebuild your lips
$900 per syringeDr. Naderi or Dr. Snodgrass then rebuilds your lips with our fillers, at our regular lip filler price.
Naderi Center Loyalty Program
Earn 10% Back on Every Injectable Visit
Earn 10% of every Botox and filler treatment back in reward dollars, and use them toward your next injectable visit: Botox, Dysport, Daxxify, fillers, Sculptra or Kybella. A $1,000 filler visit earns $100. You can combine it with Allē, ASPIRE and REVA.
One-time $50 enrollment. Reward dollars expire one year after they are issued and cannot be combined with other discounts outside of Allē, ASPIRE and REVA.
Patient Financing
Pay Over Time with Cherry
Monthly payment plans for surgery and treatments, including 0% APR options for qualifying patients. Checking whether you qualify won’t affect your credit score.
How to Prepare for Lip Filler
For 2 weeks before, avoid nuts, seeds, fish and fish oil, aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen and supplements that thin the blood, such as vitamin E. This lowers your chance of bruising. If you take a prescription blood thinner, ask the doctor who prescribed it; never stop a medicine you need for a cosmetic treatment. See our full Botox and filler instructions.
If you get cold sores, tell us before your visit. Your physician will prescribe an antiviral medicine to start before your injections.
Arnica, started a few days before, may help bruises fade faster.
On the day, eat and drink normally, come without lipstick, and arrive about 30 minutes early for numbing cream.
Have an event coming up? Plan your lip filler at least 2 weeks before, so any swelling or bruising has time to settle.
What Is Recovery Like After Lip Filler?
Most people go back to work and their normal routine the same day. Expect swelling, and possibly a bruise, for the first several days.
| When | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Right after | The lips are numb for an hour or two and look fuller than they will end up. Small pinpoint marks are normal. Ice gently, 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off. |
| First 48 hours | No strenuous exercise. Keep the lips moist with Vaseline or Aquaphor. Sleeping with your head raised helps with swelling. |
| The next morning | Swelling is usually at its peak. The lips can look uneven or a little firm while they are swollen. |
| About one week | Most of the swelling has settled. Bruises fade over 1 to 2 weeks and can be covered with lipstick. |
| Two weeks | This is your result. If you want more volume, this is the right time for a touch-up. |
Do not massage or press on the lips unless your physician asks you to. For pain, use Tylenol, not ibuprofen. Call us right away for severe or worsening pain, skin that turns white, gray, blue or blotchy, or any change in your vision.
Aftercare at a glance
- LipstickFine within a few hours. A slightly darker shade can help hide a small bruise.
- Lip balmUse it for a day or two. Lips can feel dry after injections.
- KissingFine the same day.
- AlcoholA little is fine.
- Flying and dental workFine the next day.
Common and short-lived
- Swelling, tenderness and firmness for several days
- Bruising, which can last 1 to 2 weeks
- Lips that look uneven while they are swollen
- Dry lips for a few days
- A cold sore flare in people who get them
Rare but serious. Filler can block a blood vessel. Signs include severe pain and skin that turns white, gray or blotchy. Knowing the anatomy of the lips and injecting slowly lowers this risk, and the filler can be dissolved right away with hyaluronidase if it is ever needed.
Who should wait
- Pregnant or breastfeeding
- An active cold sore or infection around the mouth
- An important event in less than 2 weeks
Why filler can look “migrated.” Filler does not travel to another part of the face. When lips are overfilled, filler spills past the border and makes the skin above the lip look puffy. Building lips slowly prevents it, and if it has already happened, it can be dissolved and corrected.
Lip Filler in Reston, VA and Chevy Chase, MD
Dr. Naderi and Dr. Snodgrass perform lip filler at both offices of The Naderi Center. Our Reston office serves Northern Virginia, including McLean, Great Falls, Vienna, Tysons, Herndon, Ashburn, Arlington and Alexandria. Our Chevy Chase office, one block from the Metro, serves Washington DC, Bethesda, Potomac and Montgomery County. Call Reston at (703) 481-0002 or Chevy Chase at (301) 222-2020. Coming from nearby? See lip filler for Washington, DC patients, Bethesda and Chevy Chase patients, and McLean, Tysons, Arlington and Alexandria patients.
Maryland
5454 Wisconsin Ave,
Suite 1655
Chevy Chase, MD 20815
(301) 222-2020
Monday to Thursday, 9 AM to 5 PM
Friday, 9 AM to 4 PM
Get directions
Virginia
1850 Town Center Parkway,
Pavilion II, Suite 551
Reston, VA 20190
(703) 481-0002
Monday to Thursday, 9 AM to 5 PM
Friday, 9 AM to 4 PM
Get directions
Lip Filler FAQs
How much does lip filler cost at The Naderi Center?
Lip filler costs $900 per syringe. It is the same price whichever filler you choose: Restylane Kysse, RHA Redensity, RHA 2, Juvederm Ultra XC or Juvederm Volbella XC.
Who performs lip filler at The Naderi Center?
Only physicians: Dr. Shervin Naderi, a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon, and Dr. Alexandra Snodgrass, a board-certified dermatologist. The Naderi Center has been injecting lips for more than 20 years.
How long does lip filler last?
Most patients come back every 6 to 12 months. A first treatment can fade sooner. With regular touch-ups, many patients need less filler to keep their result.
How many syringes of lip filler will I need?
Most first-time patients need one syringe. Very thin lips are usually built over two or three visits a few weeks apart, rather than with several syringes at once.
Which lip filler is best?
There is no single best filler. We use Restylane Kysse, RHA Redensity, RHA 2 and Juvederm Ultra XC and Volbella XC, and your physician chooses based on your lips and your goal. A filler that holds its shape is often used for the border, and a softer filler for fullness or fine lines.
Do lip injections hurt?
Most patients find lip filler very tolerable. Numbing cream is applied for 20 to 30 minutes, the fillers contain lidocaine, and a slow, gentle technique makes a big difference. We rarely need a dental block.
How long does a lip filler appointment take?
Plan on 20 to 30 minutes for numbing cream. The injections themselves usually take about 5 minutes.
How long does swelling last after lip filler?
Swelling is usually at its peak the next morning and mostly settles within about a week. Your final result is at about two weeks.
Can lip filler fix uneven lips?
Yes. Many people have one side, or one lip, that is smaller. Your physician places more filler where it is needed to balance the lips. No face is perfectly symmetric, but lips can look much more even, and many of the results in our gallery show this.
Do men get lip filler?
Yes. For men we use small amounts to restore lost volume, smooth lines or balance the top and bottom lip, keeping the result natural and masculine. Learn more about fillers for men.
Can I get lip filler after weight loss or while taking Ozempic?
Yes. Weight loss, including with medications like Ozempic, Wegovy and Zepbound, can thin the face and lips, and filler can restore that volume. If you are still losing weight, your physician may suggest a conservative first treatment and a touch-up once your weight is stable.
When can I wear lipstick after lip filler?
Within a few hours. If you get a small bruise, a slightly darker lipstick shade can help hide it. For the first day or two, a lip balm helps, because the lips can feel dry after injections.
Can I kiss after lip filler?
Yes. Kissing is fine the same day.
Can I drink alcohol after lip filler?
Yes. A little alcohol is fine after lip filler.
Can I fly or go to the dentist after lip filler?
Yes. You can fly or have dental work the next day. See our full filler aftercare instructions.
Will my lips look natural?
That is our goal. We examine your lips first, leave areas that are already full alone, and place filler in small micro-droplets. Thin lips are filled in stages so they stay soft and in proportion.
Does lip filler migrate?
Filler does not travel to other parts of the face. When lips are overfilled, the filler spills past the lip border and the skin above the lip looks puffy, which people call migration. Filling the lips gradually prevents it.
Can lip filler be dissolved?
Yes. All of the lip fillers we use are hyaluronic acid fillers, which can be dissolved with hyaluronidase. Dissolving filler is $1,500.
Can you fix lip filler I had done somewhere else?
Often, yes. Overfilled, lumpy or uneven lips can usually be dissolved and then rebuilt with a better shape. See our page on correcting filler.
What is the difference between lip filler, a lip flip and a lip lift?
Lip filler adds volume and shape. A Botox lip flip relaxes the muscle so the upper lip rolls out a little, and lasts about 2 to 3 months. A lip lift is surgery that permanently shortens a long upper lip, performed under anesthesia at a surgical facility.
Can fat be injected into the lips?
Yes. Dr. Naderi performs fat injections to the lips in the operating room, often with other facial procedures. Some of the fat can last long term, and a touch-up is sometimes needed.
Can lip filler fix lines around the mouth?
Yes. Fine vertical lines above the upper lip can be softened with a soft filler such as RHA Redensity, often at the same visit as lip filler. Deeper lines may also need laser resurfacing.
When will I see my lip filler results?
Right away. You see the new shape before you leave. Because of swelling, the lips look fuller for the first several days, and your final result is at about two weeks.
How do I prepare for lip filler?
For 2 weeks before, avoid nuts, seeds, fish oil, aspirin, ibuprofen and supplements that thin the blood. If you get cold sores, tell us so we can prescribe an antiviral. Arrive about 30 minutes early for numbing cream.
Can I get lip filler before a wedding or event?
Yes, but plan it at least 2 weeks before so any swelling or bruising has settled. If you have never had lip filler, consider a first treatment a month or more ahead.
Where can I get lip filler near Washington DC?
The Naderi Center has two offices: Reston, Virginia, serving Northern Virginia, and Chevy Chase, Maryland, one block from the Metro, serving Washington DC, Bethesda and Montgomery County. Both doctors inject lips at both offices.
Can I do a virtual consultation first?
Yes. You can send photos for a virtual consultation, and your physician can tell you what is likely to help before you come in.
Medically reviewed by Shervin Naderi, MD, FACS. Dr. Naderi is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon. Last reviewed .