The Lip Filler Facts
Whenever I do a post like this, I always have to preface it a bit. Because I know I’m about to get chewed out for my own decisions. Last time I shared a post about microneedling, a woman asked me why I hated myself so much. Ummmm what? So let me preface – I decided to get lip filler because I wanted to. It doesn’t mean I think YOU should do it nor am I recommending it. I did it because I wanted to, I loved it, I had a great experience with it, and I wanted to share it! It doesn’t mean I hate myself, it simply means I wanted to enhance something I didn’t have much of in the first place. I wasn’t born with shapely arm muscles or leg muscles, so I go to the gym and work on them. Does that mean I hate myself? Nah. I just want to feel good in my own skin! Don’t we all want that in some way shape or form?
And lip filler was exactly that – something that made me feel good. I’ve never had much in the smooch department, but I was always too scared to get them done because I’ve seen so many friends and people on instagram with applegate chicken sausages for lips after they got them done. I didn’t want that, I just wanted a little more shape and fullness. But after seeing a blogger get her lips done and not look like a complete clown, I started chatting with my esthetician/injector Marcy Tarango about it. I told her I wanted to be super conservative to start, she agreed, and we started with just 1/2 a syringe of Juvederm XC since we could always add more later on. And that’s exactly what we did! I got 1/2 a syringe added one day when I was getting microneedling done, then she added more 4 weeks later at my next microneedling appointment.
The reason I wanted to talk about it today is because I wanted to show people that it doesn’t have to be this balloon-like situation. It can be subtle and look pretty damn natural! So first let’s talk through some of the facts:
What type of lip filler did you get?
Juvederm XC. My esthetician also uses Juvederm Volbella for older clients.
Is it permanent?
Lip fillers felt super scary to me before I had mine done so I immediately asked what would happen if I didn’t like them. Well luckily they have an eraser enzyme that breaks down the fillers to get rid of them quickly if you are unhappy with the result.
How long does it last?
You’ll want to get them refilled about every 6-9 months or so. Everyone’s body is different so some may break down faster because of the person’s metabolism, while others may experience the fillers lasting longer.
Does it hurt?
You injector will numb you up ahead of time, which definitely helps. It feels like a minor prick and some pressure when being injected, then afterwards your lips may feel sore and achey, but this only lasts about a day.
Do your lips feel different?
They really don’t, which surprised me. The only time I feel like they feel slightly different is when I purse my lips together.
What does it cost?
This will all depend where you live and who you go to. My esthetician charges $650 for a full syringe of lip filler, but I’ve heard prices going up to $2000 depending on the area.
What are the risks?
There are risks of bleeding and bruising, which is very normal, but there is also a risk of vascular occlusion which is blockage of a blood vessel, usually with a clot. This is rare, but it’s definitely something to keep in mind!
Will I need to take time off?
Not really. After your treatment you’ll be red from the injection points, but that doesn’t last long. This is definitely a treatment you could do at lunch then head back into work!
Now let’s get into my own experience! Above is a photo of before my first treatment (all glossed up from numbing cream for microneedling, FYI), right after the 1/2 syringe of lip filler was injected, then two weeks later! As you can see, I was swollen right after the treatment and had a small bruise in one spot. But both the swelling and bruising diminishes with time, leaving the lips looking more full and shapely! Here is another photo of before the treatment paired with an after photo once I used the other 1/2 of the syringe.
As you can see, it’s not super dramatic. And that’s what I think is so important about finding a good injector – Marcy didn’t push me to do a full syringe or more on my first appointment. And this is something that is common because some injectors are just out to make money instead of truly listening to the customer and wanting what is best for them. If you’re looking for a minor change and your injector wants to add 2 syringes worth of filler to your lips, it may not be a good fit. You want someone you can trust and someone that wants to make sure you are happy with your results.
Something I did not expect from getting lip filler is having LESS chapped lips. After going through accutane years and years ago, my lips were never the same. Especially since I live in Colorado, which is extremely dry. My lips have peeled DAILY since accutane in 2013. And you’ll usually see me biting or picking at my lips because of it. But since getting lip filler and expanding those fine lines in my lips, they rarely peel at this point. I can now wear lipstick without it getting all weird and peeling off within a couple hours. It’s freaking awesome. If you’ve never experienced your lips peeling daily, be grateful for it, it’s a pain in the ass. But now with lip filler, I don’t have to deal with that anymore! It’s so rad!
I was so nervous to get lip fillers at first, but now I’m so glad I did it! I feel more confident and my lips actually feel healthier! I know some people see these enhancement type treatments as so taboo, but I wanted to share my experience to hopefully give you a different perspective – a positive one! And I thought it was perfect timing because my esthetician Marcy Tarango is offering $100 off fillers this week, so if you’re in Denver, it’s a great time to try it out while saving some money! She works at Cherry Creek Facial Aesthetics (with my longtime esthetician Shawn Haviland – 720-459-7960) and she is a true joy. She’s so damn sweet! If you’re in Denver, she is the injector to go to! But if you’re not in Denver, be sure to look for either a registered nurse and/or board-certified professional. And be sure to check out their work beforehand! You want to make sure that you trust them and you two are on the same page!
If you have any lip filler questions, feel free to ask them below and I’d be happy to answer them!! I hope this post gave you some insight into the lip filler experience and shows you that you don’t have to have chicken sausages when you’re using filler.
Oh, Hi! I’m Juli.
DON’T MISS A BITE
discounts, and stories straight to your inbox for FREE!
58 thoughts on “The Lip Filler Facts”
GIRL YES!!! Thank you for sharing this! I have been considering it but would have loved to chat with a friend who had experienced it before I dive into it! I have loved working with my aesthetician and have had seriously amazing results by trusting in her guidance, and most importantly I’ve never felt more confident about my skin and how I feel. Do you, boo!
it’s all about finding the right esthetician and injector!
Thank you for sharing. I’ve been considering this for years, and although there are so many people that are successful (and probably no one even knows they do it), I don’t want to end up in the “What the hell did she do to her face?” category.
We buy makeup and clothes, color and cut our hair to feel just a little bit better about ourselves, which hopefully is the push we need to start living our best life. So if you want to get fillers, injections, treatments, implants…you do you!
i definitely felt the same, especially since my face is constantly on stories. but i only had a few people that noticed!!
Juli,
You are a very beautiful woman. I follow your website, have made a lot of your recipes, and I enjoy working out. OTF is my jam (I know it’s not yours) but it helps keep me in shape. My comment to you is…. do whatever makes you feel good about yourself and forget the rest. If age has taught me anything, it’s that confidence is the best accessory. So if you what you are doing (fillers, ‘working out, diet, etc) is making you feel confident, then keep it up. You’re an inspiration to me. Thank you!
it definitely is!! thanks for the love Greta!!
I think it’s great it helped your chapped lips! Mine are dry too and I was on accutane as well! You look beautiful before and after. I never thought about lip fillers, but maybe they would be good of me just because of the chapped lip problem! I had that the lipstick and gloss comes off so quickly! Thanks for sharing!
ugh accutane kills lips lol. the lip filler has helped so much!
I’ve heard it’s rare for an injector to do half a syringe – like if you only want to do half they’ll make you put the other half in your smile lines or something. I really just want to do my upper lip because mine are so not proportionate. Did your injector say it’s OK to just do half a syringe or did you have to use the rest elsewhere on your face? Thanks!
she said she could use 1/2 syringe then we could use the rest at a later date. i could understand why an injector would do that, but mine was totally understanding about only using 1/2 at first
I knew it! It looks great and soooo natural! If I hadn’t been following you forever, I never would have known. Good for you and great work by the person who did it!
thanks Chrissy!
It looks like you were born with those lips! Thanks for the informative post.
thanks Jenine!!
Thanks for sharing! I’ve always been afraid that it would turn out totally unnatural but yours look amazing! I’m definitely going to look into your gal!
thank you Mandi!
Thank you for sharing, it looks GREAT! It’s been on my mind to try, but I’ve been too scared of the potential pain. Glad to hear it’s not so bad.
i wouldn’t be scared of the pain. it’s slightly painful but there are definitely way worse things out there!
Looks awesome! I went from thinking treatments like this were terribly taboo, to getting Botox for chronic stink face on my forehead and I have LITERALLY NO REGRETS. It’s awesome. It’s sooo possible to get treatments done that look so natural and great (you are an example). Treatments that just give you that extra boost of confidence. I think I honestly have you to thank for shaking my perspective on that. I realized that if someone who highly respects their body (and that I respect) does it, there’s no reason to feel such taboo about it. I needed to give myself that same grace and thank god because my resting bitch face is gone! Haha who knows what’s next in the improvements department…
it’s so silly that it’s still thought of as so taboo!! feeling good about yourself is GOOD thing!
Thanks for all the info. Do you know if it’s $100 off a full vial or for half too?
off the full syringe. you sadly cannot purchase 1/2 syringe because she can’t use that on someone else.
Yes!! They look soooooo good. Lip filler is truly one of the best things I’ve done for my face, aside from Botox and regular peels/maintenance. I am trying out SkinPen (microneedling) at the end of the month and your results have me so excited! Modern medicine is just the best!
it really is the best!!
Yes girl!! Thank you for sharing your experience! I’ve been wanting to get this done and your turned out great! Now I feel more confident knowing how to speak with my esthetician about it.
thanks for reading Rachel!
I have the same problem for accutane and can only wear tinted lip balm because of it! I would honestly be so willing to consider this for some relief and to be able to wear one of the 500 lipsticks I’ve had accumulating in my makeup drawer lol
right?! it’s been amazing! the peeling has gone away almost all together!
Do you think you will keep up with getting them filled every few months?? I had a similar experience (Love it!) and am contemplating getting another syringe or 1/2 or what. I could see how easy it is to get carried away so deff find someone you trust and who can keep you in line!
yes, i definitely planned to get them filled again in the future!!
Yes, yes, yes to this! You looked fab before, you look even more luscious now! Thank you for taking this out of the “scary” category for me too. Question: did you inject both top and bottom? Honestly, I would NEVER have known had you not told us so kudos to the injector for that! That’s how it SHOULD be. 👏🏻
yep, she injected both the top and bottom!!
Hey lovely thanks for sharing this. I wanted to ask, and if it’s too personal just don’t respond, how is it different, if at all, when you kiss and make out with your hubby? Does it feel the same to you, to him? I have heard some guys report kissing hard lips when women had injections and never have had someone to ask. You’re amazing Juli! I hope you don’t get any hate from this post. Fingers crossed.
it’s not different for either party involved haha i didn’t mention getting lip fillers to my husband and he still hasn’t noticed lol. i obviously don’t have huge lips so i’m not sure if it’s any different when someone who has more filler in there. but there has been no complaints from him!
You look incredible! I never would have known if not for the before/after pictures. You hit the esthetician lottery!
thanks Rayna!
I think they look awesome and it’s subtle, which is what we want from aesthetic treatments. I’ve had lips fillers done on several occasions and unfortunately I metabolize fast and the filler was gone in three weeks. I’ve had two different people do the injections and used multiple products, so unfortunately it’s just me. Fortunately fillers in other areas don’t dissipate as fast.
Thanks for your posting, now go kiss that hubby of yours!!
awwwww that’s such a bummer, jennifer!
These are STUNNING! I am an injector in Raleigh/Durham, NC and thank you for sharing. No duck lips here. You can do very natural, very pretty lips. Rome was not built in a day, you can keep adding as you wish. Slow and steady always wins the race! And yes, we all do these things because we want to and we like how it makes us feel. Go you and thank you again for sharing.
thanks Colleen!
Hey Juli! Thanks for sharing your experience and for all the info. I’m in the same boat of wanting a natural and a bit fuller look but I had no idea where to start. This gave me a good base for which to research more. And for all the silly women who had anything negative to say, I just say “I don’t receive that!” Why do they waste their time hating on people? I just don’t get it!!
i don’t get it either!
Firstly, thank you for being honest! It’s “taboo” but if we aren’t honest, women don’t know what they are comparing themselves too. I was recently chatting with a woman my age and she’s like “I’ve gone all wrinkly but you look great!” and it would have been so bitchy not to be like “Yeah, because BOTOX babe!” and just let her make false comparisons.
Anyway, as a Denver local, question for you – does she charge for the full or just half syringe? I have full lips but a lot of lines ABOVE the lips, so would only need a small amount of filler, but my current injector still charges for the full syringe.
Thanks for the info!
YES! we gotta share all the nitty gritty stuff! and you still have to purchase the full syringe because she can’t use it on anyone else. but she may be able to keep it for later to use on your lips at another time! you’ll have to check with her!
Your lips look terrific!! I never would’ve noticed if you hadn’t done this post. My injector is also always very prudent and into enhancing what I already have. I always appreciate your posts becuase you give so much detail. Thank you!
Getting mine done in a few weeks after researching many different people. I can’t wait. I’ve wanted to do this for so long. I always wanted fuller lips but nothing too crazy. 👄😃
They look great! I am definitely considering. Question – do you have any other filler anywhere else??
i don’t! but i plan to someday!
They look fantastic! I just started filling my lips almost a year ago! I wanted to do it for a long time but was so scared to look like “duck lips”. I found a conservative person to do it that really listened to me and I have no regrets. I used half a syringe as well and it was perfect. I filled them with another half about 6 months later and next month plan on another (which will be about 6 months again). I am finding 6-7 months to be about what I need. So glad you are happy with your results.
thank you Brooke!! i was so nervous too, but i’m so happy i did it now!
I just got my first lip filler! I was feeling stressed about the bruising/swelling stories I see online so I took your advice and started with a half syringe. Although I will definitely be back for another half, I’m really happy I dipped my toes in and started conservatively because I didn’t swell as bad and it’s so gradual no one has noticed yet! I live in Utah so I’m also really excited to lose my dry flaky lips! Thanks for sharing <3
Hi Juli,
Love your blog!!! I am an RN and an aesthetic injector. Just so your audience knows, an esthetician is not licensed to inject the lips or to inject any part of the body. You must be a licensed nurse to inject the patients. Glad you love the lip filler.
I just had this done today and have to thank you for writing about it. I honestly wouldn’t have done it if you didn’t write about your positive experience. I have always been a bit self conscious of my smile as I’ve always had a thinner upper lip but I was terrified of having the duck lip look from a bad filler job. I did almost pass out today because I hadn’t eaten before (and don’t generally do well with needles) and only had half a syringe, but hopefully I’ll love it as it heals and I can decide if I want more!
hope you loving it and you’re feeling great about your smile!!
You are fucking phenomenal and I’m sorry you’re getting an extra dose of shade! I want you to know that you are my absolute favorite blogger. You give your whole self and all your authenticity and it creates a space for people, and me, to do the same. I have learned about so many different ways of thinking and living from you. From the protocol, to intuitive eating, to your kick ass beauty product suggestions, to your Power program, you have made my life so much better. Not only that but I am constantly sharing things I have learned from you with my friends and I know it makes a difference for them too.
By the way, your podcast is one of the few things that cheers me up when I’m especially blue. I put you on and take my dog for a walk – it’s like getting a pep talk from a good friend. I seriously eagerly await every new episode. I know you already know that haters have nothing to do with you, but just sending you a little extra love ❤️. Tits up! You’re doing great.
sarah, you are the best!! thank you so much for the kind words!! i’m so glad i’ve been able to introduce you to new products and different ideas. that’s one of the coolest parts about the internet – we can learn so much for different people, especially different ways of thinking. and thank you for listening to my podcast!! it’s such a random podcast that i feel like nobody actually listens to, so it always makes me so happy when people actually enjoy it! you da best!
They look amazing!!! Did you have the kind of duck top lip for the first few days while the swelling went down? Or did they automatically look right? I read it can take up to 2 weeks to settle so curious about your experience!
yes, you have swelling and look a bit weird for the first few days, including a bit of a duck lip haha! it takes about 2 weeks to really see what your lips will look like!