Lauren Barnhill, MSN, RN, FNP-C
Board-certified family nurse practitioner
Lip Fillers in Cincinnati
Lip filler is a soft hyaluronic acid gel, such as Juvéderm Ultra XC or Volbella XC, placed in small amounts to add volume, refine shape, and smooth lip lines. The visit takes 20 to 45 minutes, and you see the change the same day.
A virtual filler consultation, recorded at our office
What lip fillercan and cannot do
Lip filler, lip injections, lip augmentation, lip enhancement: patients use all four names for the same non-surgical treatment. Lips lose volume with age like the rest of the face. The fat and collagen inside them thin, the border softens, and fine vertical lines start to collect lipstick. Some people simply have naturally thin lips, or one lip noticeably fuller than the other.
What it does well: it adds volume to the body of the lip, defines the border and the Cupid’s bow, evens out mild asymmetry between the two sides or between the upper and lower lip, and smooths the fine lines around the mouth. We use hyaluronic acid fillers from the Juvéderm family, and because hyaluronic acid binds water, lips often feel softer and look more hydrated too.
What it does not do: filler will not change your teeth, your bite, or the frame of the lower face, and a downturned mouth or deep smile lines are usually better treated by restoring support at the cheek and the corners of the mouth than by adding more to the lip. It is also not permanent, since the body slowly breaks hyaluronic acid down.
Hyaluronic acid you can dissolveBuilt in proportion to your faceLittle to no downtime
Who lip filler is for
Lip filler is for people who want their lips to look like theirs, only fuller or better defined.
It is not right for everyone, and if it is not right for you, we will tell you so at the consultation and suggest a better place to start.
Your lips have thinned with age
The body of the lip has flattened and the border has softened, so the mouth reads older than the rest of the face.
Your lips are naturally thin
You want more volume than you were born with, added gradually and in proportion to your features.
Your lips are uneven
One side fuller than the other, or an upper lip noticeably thinner than the lower.
Lines have formed around the mouth
Fine vertical lines above the lip that catch lipstick respond well to the softest formulations, such as Volbella XC.
You are in good overall health
Not pregnant or breastfeeding, with no current skin conditions such as eczema flare-ups or sunburn.
Who you will meet
You can request your consultation with one of our board-certified nurse practitioners, Lauren Barnhill, MSN, RN, FNP-C, or Sarah Lockwood, MSN, RN, AGACNP-BC, by choosing your preferred provider when you book. Lauren brings more than 15 years of nursing experience and Sarah more than 13, from critical care to wound care and surgical practice.
They work within the practice founded by Dr. Shalini Gupta, a Harvard-trained dermatologist, with Dr. Balvant Arora as medical director.
Your lip fillerappointment.
Book a consultationWe look at your lips in proportion to your nose, chin, and the rest of your face, agree on a goal, and choose the product. Avoid over-the-counter blood thinners such as aspirin and ibuprofen for a few days beforehand, and skip alcohol for 24 hours.
Numbing cream is available first if you want it.
A series of small, precise injections with a fine needle or cannula, building volume in stages and reassessing the shape as we go.
You leave with fuller lips the same visit. Expect them to look a little larger than the final result for the first few days.
Cold compresses help; skip intense exercise, alcohol, and direct sun for 24 to 48 hours.
Book at least one to two weeks before a wedding or event, so the lips have settled by the day.
Keeping it natural
An overfilled lip is almost always a placement and quantity problem, not a product problem. We build lip filler in proportion to the rest of your face, start conservatively, and would rather add a little once swelling has settled than take too much away.
Our guide to the most natural-looking lip filler goes deeper on how proportion and product come together. Once you have a result you like, keeping it is a matter of timing rather than adding more each visit, and how often to get lip filler touch-ups covers that schedule.
For price, our article on what shapes lip filler cost explains the factors, and CareCredit financing is available.
Proportion before volume. The goal is a lip that suits your face, not a size chosen from a photo.
The right gel for a moving area. Lips take a soft hyaluronic acid gel. Firmer fillers such as Radiesse belong in structural places like the jaw, not the lips.
Lip filler FAQ
Does lip filler hurt?
Discomfort is minimal for most people. Most Juvéderm formulas contain lidocaine, a local anesthetic, and you can ask for numbing cream before the first injection.
How long does lip filler last?
Typically 6 to 12 months in the lips. The mouth moves constantly, so hyaluronic acid breaks down faster there than in the cheeks, and the product, the amount placed, and your own metabolism all play a part.
Is there downtime after lip injections?
Little to none. Swelling peaks in the first 24 to 48 hours and eases by day three or four, and minor bruising can take five to seven days to fade. Most people go straight back to their day.
When will I see my final result?
You see fuller lips immediately, but the true result shows at around 7 to 14 days, once swelling has gone and the filler has settled.
How much do lip fillers cost?
It depends on the product and the amount your plan calls for, so we quote it at your consultation rather than guess. Our article on lip filler cost walks through what moves the price.
Which filler do you use for lips?
Hyaluronic acid fillers from the Juvéderm family, chosen at your consultation: Volbella XC for subtle shape and the fine lines around the mouth, Ultra XC when you want more noticeable volume.
Can lip filler be reversed?
Yes. Hyaluronic acid filler can be dissolved with an enzyme called hyaluronidase if you want the result adjusted or removed.
Can lip filler be combined with Botox?
Yes. Filler restores volume while a wrinkle relaxer such as Botox softens expression lines, and many patients combine them in a single plan.
Where to next
Related treatment
Juvéderm
Hyaluronic acid fillers.
Explore the treatmentWorth reading
Lip Filler Touch-Ups: How Often Should You Get Them?
Wondering how often to get lip filler touch-ups? Learn about timing, signs it’s time to refresh, and what to expect.
Read the answerWorth reading
How Much Do Lip Fillers Cost in Cincinnati, Ohio?
Lip filler cost depends on the type of filler and how many units your goals require. Understand what shapes pricing for lip injections in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Read the answerAsk about injectables
Tell us what you would like to soften or restore. We will come back with which product fits, how long it lasts, and what to expect at your first visit.
Your details go straight to our Montgomery Road front desk and are never shared. A team member replies during office hours, usually the same day.
Ready when you are
Book a consultation at our Montgomery Road office, or call and we will help you decide where to start.
By The Dermatology, Laser & Vein Center. This page is for education and is not a substitute for a personalized medical consultation.