Lip Filler: From Natural Contours to Bold Definition

Lip filler, lip flips, and hyaluronidase injections at MFI in San Francisco are priced based on the treatment plan and how much product you need. Please visit our dedicated pricing page for the most current information.

Once you’re happy with your lips, you move into the maintenance phase of treatment. From this point on we only need to see you once every 9 to 12 months for touch-up treatments.

Qualified borrowers may be eligible for 0% financing for 6 to 12 months through CareCredit and Alphaeon medical financing. 

Volume Loss

Flattened, wrinkled, or thin lips can be the result of age-related volume loss caused by fat breakdown and bone resorption. Weight loss can also cause the lips to lose volume.

Naturally Thin Lips

Your lips may seem too thin or narrow to work harmoniously with your eyes, nose, cheeks, and chin. A little filler is a great way to enhance facial proportions.

Lip Wrinkles

To give your lips a smoother, more youthful finish, we use products like JUVÉDERM VOLBELLA XC and Restylane which are specially formulated just for the lips using smaller, smoother hyaluronic acid molecules. These add soft volume that looks and feels natural.

Visibility When Smiling

Thin lips can sometimes “disappear” when you smile. Fuller lips create a nice frame for your smile, and many people who get lip filler feel more confident taking photos and selfies after treatment. A lip flip may also help with a disappearing upper lip or a “gummy smile.”

Asymmetry

Increasing volume has the potential to enhance symmetry, although achieving absolute perfection in symmetry cannot be guaranteed.

Your First Visit

Your first appointment is all about getting to know you and your goals and developing the treatment plan that will give you your ideal results. At our San Francisco office, we know that creating a beautiful mouth involves more than just adding volume. That’s why we take the time to evaluate your lips from every angle, in a variety of lights, to assess projection, proportion, and definition.

Ideal lips are plump with a gentle “Cupid’s bow” and follow the golden ratio of 1 to 1.6, upper lip to lower lip. We keep this in mind when developing your treatment plan and are careful to always approach your procedure artfully. When applying filler, we always stay within the natural curves of the lip in order to provide the most realistic-looking results for both women and men.

Please plan to spend about 2 hours in the office for your first visit, which includes consultation, prep, treatment, pre- and post-treatment photography, aftercare education, and scheduling your next appointment.

Your Lip Filler Procedure

Our highly trained Injectors take their time to introduce small, safe quantities of filler so that your results never look artificial or overdone. To create a soft, balanced, youthful look, we use the latest proven techniques and technology, including the blunt-tipped microcannula—which also minimizes bruising and lowers the risk of vascular occlusion. We place the microcannula just under the skin and use a fanning technique similar to liposuction for precise filler application. We also introduce smaller quantities of filler and stage treatment across 2 appointments.

Your Lips May Look Better After Two Treatments

When too much filler is placed in the lips at one time, it can spread out and cause less-than-ideal results. This is why we encourage our lip filler patients to stage treatment across 2 appointments. About 1 to 3 months after your initial appointment, we will polish and perfect your results at your follow-up appointment. After the initial swelling has completely subsided, we can subtly add more filler where needed to produce a natural-looking, balanced, sensuous mouth.

For more about what to expect, visit Your Treatment Timeline.

Preparing for Your Lip Filler Procedure

For the best experience, follow these tips in advance of your appointment:

• A few days before your appointment, restrict blood thinners, such as anti-inflammatories, fish oil, and alcohol. Limiting these will reduce your risk of bruising from filler injections.
• DO NOT discontinue prescribed, medically necessary medications.
• Eat and drink a normal breakfast or lunch prior to your appointment; low blood sugar can make patients lightheaded during treatment.

Recovery & Aftercare

Some common injection-related reactions may occur, such as swelling, bruising, pain, itching, discoloration, and tenderness at the injection site. These are normal side effects and are most apparent 24 to 48 hours after treatment. These typically subside within 2 weeks. Most patients return to their routine activities the same day.

Swelling

• You may experience swelling with this procedure for up to 2 weeks
• Some people may have residual swelling for up to 4 weeks
• You may have temporary asymmetry, lumps, or bumps
• Will gradually resolve to reveal your final results over about 7 to 14 days

Bruising

• While bruising is possible, it is usually minimal

Redness & Discomfort

• Often minimal and lasting just a few days
• Your lips may be tender to the touch

Downtime

• No downtime required
• May return to work immediately after treatment
• May resume normal exercise the next day

If you are interested in learning more about lip filler, request a consultation online. Or you can call us at (415) 445-9513 to schedule your appointment with one of our highly trained specialists. If you’ll be visiting us from outside the area, our Fly in for Your Procedure page was created just for you to help make planning your trip as smooth as possible.