Lip Filler in Burnaby, BC Hyaluronic Acid Lip Injections
Shape, volume and hydration, planned around your whole face
Lip filler uses hyaluronic acid (HA) gel to refine lip shape, add volume, support hydration and soften fine lines around the mouth. At Skin Art MD in Burnaby's Metrotown, a physician plans the amount and placement with your whole face in mind, and HA filler can be dissolved if the result needs adjusting. Results vary.
- 15-30 min
- Typical Injection Time
- About 2 weeks
- For Swelling to Settle
- 6-9 months
- Typical Duration, Varies
- 15-30 min
- Typical Injection Time
- About 2 weeks
- For Swelling to Settle
- 6-9 months
- Typical Duration, Varies
Defined, Hydrated, Balanced Lips
Lip filler is a hyaluronic acid (HA) gel, a substance the body naturally contains, placed in and around the lips to adjust shape, volume and smoothness.
Common goals are clearer definition of the lip border, added volume, better balance between the upper and lower lip, evening out asymmetry, hydration and softening of fine vertical lines. A physician chooses the gel and the amount for your anatomy and can plan in stages if a gradual change suits you. A change is visible right away, swelling settles over about two weeks, and the result typically lasts around 6 to 9 months. Results vary from person to person.
Definition & Shape
Refine the lip border and the curve of the upper lip.
Volume & Hydration
Add softness and fullness in measured amounts; HA binds water to help lips look hydrated.
Balance & Symmetry
Even out differences between the two sides or between the upper and lower lip.

How HA Lip Filler Works
HA is a sugar molecule the body already makes. It binds water, so a soft gel placed in the lips adds volume and a smoother, hydrated look.
Soft, Flexible Gels
Gels for the lips are formulated to move with the mouth, and your physician chooses one for the area and the effect you want.
Dissolvable
HA filler can be broken down with an enzyme called hyaluronidase if the result needs adjusting.
Comfort Built In
Many HA gels contain lidocaine, and topical numbing cream is applied before injection.
Cannula or Fine Needle
A blunt micro-cannula or a fine needle may be used depending on the area and the plan. A cannula can help limit bruising.
Who may consider lip filler, and who should wait
Common side effects are temporary swelling, tenderness, bruising and small lumps. Rarely, filler can block a blood vessel (vascular occlusion), which needs urgent attention: severe pain, pale or discoloured skin, or vision changes after treatment mean you should contact us or seek emergency care right away. Your physician reviews your history and goals at consultation.
May Be Discussed For
- +Lips that look flat or lack definition at the border
- +Lip volume that has softened or faded over time
- +Noticeable asymmetry between the two sides or the upper and lower lip
- +Dry-looking lips or fine vertical lines around the mouth
- +A preference for a gradual, adjustable, non-surgical change
Wait or Speak With Us If You
- –Are pregnant or breastfeeding
- –Have an active cold sore, rash or infection on or near the lips (tell us if you get cold sores, so a plan can be discussed beforehand)
- –Have a known allergy to hyaluronic acid or lidocaine
- –Take blood thinners, or have a bleeding disorder or an autoimmune condition
- –Have dental work planned within 2 weeks before or after treatment
- –Have had recent facial surgery or filler treatment in the area
How Do We Plan Lip Treatment?
Shape, balance and proportion guide each plan.
Less Is More
The aim is a natural look that suits your face, with product added gradually rather than all at once.
Cannula Technique
Cannulas are used where suitable and can help limit bruising.
Whole Face View
Lips are assessed alongside your nose, chin and smile so the result stays in proportion.
Product Transparency
The product and plan are explained to you before treatment begins.
What lip filler can address
Goals are agreed at consultation and planned for balance.
Definition
Define the lip border and the shape of the upper lip.
Volume
Add fullness to the body of the upper or lower lip in measured steps.
Symmetry
Even out differences between the left and right sides or the upper and lower lip.
Hydration
Soft HA gel adds moisture and smoothness to lips that look dry or flat.
Lip Lines
Soften fine vertical lines around the mouth.
Mouth Corners
Add support at the corners of the mouth where they turn down.
Your Lip Filler Journey
A typical visit includes assessment, numbing, injection and aftercare instructions. Visits typically fit within an hour, and the injection itself typically takes about 15-30 minutes.
Pre-Treatment Preparation
Avoid alcohol, aspirin and blood-thinning medications for 48 hours to reduce bruising risk, and ask your doctor before stopping anything prescribed
Tell your physician about any history of cold sores, and about medications and supplements you take
Do not schedule dental procedures within 2 weeks before or after treatment
Arrive without lip makeup or lip products
Stay hydrated, and avoid sun exposure and tanning beforehand
During Treatment
Assessment & Plan
Your lips and face are assessed, and the goals, amount and placement are discussed.
Numbing
Cleansing and topical numbing cream; many HA gels also contain lidocaine.
Gradual Injection
Small amounts of gel are placed gradually and shaped as you go. The injection itself typically takes about 15-30 minutes, depending on the plan.
Check & Aftercare
Cooling, a check for symmetry and aftercare instructions. Any adjustment is usually reviewed once swelling has settled, often around 2 weeks.
Recovery & Results
Expect swelling, tenderness and possible bruising; swelling often peaks around day 2 and settles over several days to about 2 weeks
Avoid touching or pressing the lips, avoid kissing for 1-2 days, and skip drinking through a straw for 24 hours
Wait for numbness to wear off before eating, and avoid lip makeup for 24-48 hours
Skip saunas, hot baths, strenuous exercise and alcohol for 24-48 hours, and use gentle cooling
Results settle as swelling goes down and typically last about 6-9 months, so a touch-up is often considered as they fade; contact your doctor promptly for severe pain, lumps, skin whitening or vision changes
Lip Filler Questions
How long does a lip filler appointment take?+
Visits typically fit within an hour. Planning, marking and numbing come first, and the injection itself typically takes about 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the plan. Your physician explains what to expect before you begin, and a first treatment may be kept conservative so it can be adjusted at a later visit.
Does lip filler hurt?+
Lips are a sensitive area, so comfort is built into the visit. Topical numbing cream is applied beforehand, and many HA gels also contain lidocaine. You may feel pressure or a brief pinch while the gel is placed, and sensitivity varies from person to person. Tell your physician if you are uncomfortable at any point.
How long does lip swelling last?+
Swelling and tenderness are expected after lip filler. Swelling often peaks around the second day, then settles gradually, largely within several days and fully within about two weeks. Bruising, if it happens, may take about a week to fade. Lips can look larger or uneven while swollen, so judge the shape once swelling has gone down. Contact your physician about severe or one-sided pain.
When can I eat, drink or kiss after lip filler?+
Wait until the numbness has worn off before eating, and take care with very hot food and drinks. Avoid drinking through a straw for the first 24 hours, and avoid kissing or anything that presses on the lips for 1 to 2 days. Do not press or massage the lips yourself. Your physician may adjust this advice to suit your treatment.
What should I avoid after lip filler?+
Avoid touching, pressing or massaging the lips for 24 hours, and skip lip makeup for 24 to 48 hours. Avoid strenuous exercise, saunas, hot baths, strong sun and alcohol for 24 to 48 hours, because heat and alcohol can increase swelling and bruising. Avoid dental work for 2 weeks. Contact your physician about severe pain, lumps, skin whitening or vision changes.
When will I see the final result?+
You will see a change straight away, but early results include swelling. As it settles, usually over about two weeks, the shape, softness and symmetry become clearer. If an adjustment is needed, it is usually reviewed once swelling has gone down rather than during the first few days. Results vary between people.
How long does lip filler last, and how often are touch-ups needed?+
Lip filler typically lasts about 6 to 9 months, though it can fade sooner for some people and last longer for others. Lips are mobile, so the soft gels used there tend to be absorbed faster than firmer gels in the chin or cheeks. Many people return for a touch-up as the result fades, and your physician advises on timing based on how your lips respond.
Will my lips look natural?+
Natural-looking enhancement is the aim, and it depends on planning rather than volume alone. Your physician assesses your lip shape and facial proportions, uses small amounts placed gradually, and can add more at a later visit. Keeping the border soft and the upper and lower lip in proportion helps avoid an overfilled look. Results vary, and a specific appearance cannot be promised.
Can lip filler be dissolved?+
Yes. Hyaluronic acid filler can be broken down with an enzyme called hyaluronidase if the result needs adjusting, or in the rare case of a blocked blood vessel. Your physician advises whether dissolving is appropriate and when. This reversibility is one reason HA is a common choice for lips.
What is the difference between lip filler and a lip flip?+
Lip filler adds volume and shape with hyaluronic acid gel. A lip flip uses a small amount of anti-wrinkle injection to relax the muscle around the upper lip so it rolls slightly outward; it does not add volume and wears off gradually as the muscle recovers. Your physician recommends which suits your lips after an assessment.
Do lips stretch or sag after filler wears off?+
Filler is not expected to permanently stretch the lips. HA is absorbed gradually over months, and lips are expected to return gradually toward their starting shape. Concerns about stretching are usually linked to very large volumes or frequent repeat treatments, which is why planning is gradual and conservative. Your physician reviews how your lips respond before suggesting more.
Who should wait before having lip filler?+
Wait or speak with a physician first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have an active cold sore, rash or infection near the mouth, have dental work planned within 2 weeks, or have a known allergy to hyaluronic acid or lidocaine. Blood thinners, a bleeding disorder or an autoimmune condition also need discussion. If you get cold sores, tell your physician at consultation.
Ready to Plan Your Lips?
Book a visit at Skin Art MD Metrotown, Burnaby. A physician will assess your lips and facial proportions and explain the plan.
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