The Tale of the Luscious Lip: What I Wish I Knew Before My First Filler
I get so many questions about my lip filler, and for good reason. So today, let me take you on a journey through everything I’ve learned—from the early, terrifying days of Hollywood filler parties to the modern, natural-looking results that can truly change how you see yourself. Let me tell you the things I wish someone had told me before I ever sat in that chair.
First, understand that lip augmentation has come a very long way. People have craved big, luscious lips for decades. Back in the 1980s, the techniques were not at all what they are today. In the 90s and early 2000s, there were rumors of secret Hollywood filler parties where a single doctor would go to celebrities’ homes and inject their lips and other areas with silicone. And he botched a lot of people. Just Google it—you’ll find stories of those who got their lips messed up because they wanted that luscious look so badly. That history shows just how far we’ve come. Now, people talk openly about what they’re doing, and the technology is so much better. It’s so simple to get lip filler these days that it’s no wonder it’s becoming more and more popular. When you go to the right person, they look so much more natural.
Here’s something funny: I didn’t actually think I needed lip filler at all before I got it done. In high school, I had a much fuller upper lip, but with age, your lips start to thin—it’s another one of those things that starts to go. Over the last few years, I began to notice in pictures that I looked a little bit gummy when I smiled, as if I were making this weird expression. It was my upper lip that was bothering me. I’ve always been fine with my bottom lip, but the upper lip was starting to bother me. And I know we should be happy with who we are, but come on—you can do something about it, so why not? I wanted to do something about it.
I’m good friends with Dr. Dier, who does really great lips. He has an amazing technique and a really good eye. We went ahead and did it for an episode of The Sass. I was really excited because it truly changed my appearance. We started off really slow because I was terrified—I didn’t want to look like I had fish lips or duck lips. So we took it easy. The first time, I don’t think anyone noticed. It was the second time that everyone started to make comments about my lips. I’ve gone in a few more times since then, and I love it. Whenever I post a throwback picture on Instagram, I’m always like, “Oh my god, that lip!” It’s the only thing I can look at now. It has changed my life. I love my lips.
What Is the Filler Made Of?
One of the most common questions I get is what the filler is made of. I specifically have filler that is hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid occurs naturally in our skin—it’s what gives us that plump, hydrated look. That’s why a lot of people like to apply it topically, though it works a little differently when applied that way. Any ingredient applied topically won’t penetrate and replace what’s already in your skin, but it does work as a humectant on the surface. The hyaluronic acid used in fillers is synthetic—it doesn’t come from an animal or a human—but it’s fairly safe. Studies show that it really doesn’t harm your body or poison you. Hyaluronic acid in filler plumps your lips and also traps water within them, doubling as a plumping mechanism. It’s a nice way to get fullness and make it look natural, as long as it’s done right.
There are other ways people get lip filler these days. Collagen fillers are still used, but back in the day it was bovine collagen from cows, and it didn’t last very long, so you’d have to constantly upkeep your lips. I think they can technically still do that, but I don’t know anyone who does it or suggests it. Another option is fat transfer, which is much more permanent—though the fat eventually dissipates over a few years, just as fat naturally does as you age. If I were you, I would get hyaluronic acid first because the best thing about it is that if you don’t like it, you can dissolve it. It doesn’t feel good when you dissolve it, but you can get rid of it.
Who Did My Lips and Why
The second most common question is who did my lips and why I think it’s important to go to someone like the person who did mine. I went to Dr. Dier, a facial plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills. He’s not only a friend—he was actually the first doctor to ever give me Botox, and we grew a friendship over years of working together. I think he has a great eye, which is one of the most important things about lips: somebody whose aesthetic matches yours. Looking at someone’s Instagram can really help you decide if they have the look you want. He is all about being conservative and making sure you don’t go overboard. He doesn’t like to make you look like you have duck lips, which was a big one for me.
He has a different technique that he’s perfected: he calls it the bow and arrow. He threads the lips using just a few holes on the outside and two holes inside. He uses a cannula—a blunt tip needle—so it doesn’t puncture your lips as it goes in. He makes a hole, sticks the needle in, and slowly releases the hyaluronic acid in layers, almost like threads on top of each other. He says this looks more natural and minimizes bruising and swelling, so he can get a good look at what your lips are looking like before it gets too much. Another technique you see a lot on Instagram is called micro droplets, where people just poke, poke, poke and inject throughout the lips. That technique is also fine—I’ve had it done that way before. But Dr. Dier says that with micro droplets, the little pokes can cause uneven swelling, and you can’t tell if the bumpiness is from swelling or from too much filler in one spot. The bow and arrow technique avoids that.
The “bow” part of the bow and arrow is about shape. He really thinks it’s all about shape, not necessarily size. He is not all about huge lips; he’s all about the shape of your lips, because shape is a trait of youth. He goes in and really accentuates the Cupid’s bow. He does not inject the outer corners of your lips—that area is known to be a big cause of the duck lip look. If you think about it, your lips on the ends aren’t that thick. So make sure you go to someone with a really good technique. If they put filler at the outer corners, you should ask them why. Definitely look at pictures of past patients so you can see what that look is going to be.
I also recommend that you stay consistent with the doctor. If you start going to someone and you really like the look—even if that person is expensive—stick with that person. You don’t want to hop around to different injectors and end up looking different, with maybe different types of hyaluronic acid in your lips, creating an inconsistent look. You want to make sure you look like yourself, that the filler harmonizes with your face. Not too big—you don’t want your lips to be the only thing people look at. You just want them to look pretty.
How Long Does It Last?
Technically, filler is supposed to last about four to six months. If you go to someone really good, they will be conservative the first time, so you probably do need to go back after at least six months because it starts to get a little smaller. The second time is when they really perfect it—they have something to work with, and they know how you react. So the second time you get your lips done, you’re like, “Mmm!” But once you start doing filler, it starts to last longer and longer. The range depends on your metabolism—how fast your body metabolizes it.
One thing I will also say: filler never truly goes away. I’ve heard people say your lips will go completely back to normal—not true. There are always remnants of filler, no matter where you get it—lips, cheeks, anywhere. It stays there for years, and it can become like little goopy gross things. Filler is kind of nasty when you really think about it: you’re putting this goopy stuff in your skin, and it stays. Over time, you might even want to dissolve it if you’ve been doing filler for a really long time, and start from zero. For example, Kylie Jenner said she dissolved her lips—maybe she just let it go away, but it’s still a little bit there. It never truly goes away unless you dissolve it. Recently, Huda Beauty posted a video where her doctor recommended she dissolve her lips because they were starting to look fake. That was a great video because it’s true: over time, filler can look lumpy and bumpy because of those remnants. So if you get a lot of filler, sometimes it’s good to take a step back, dissolve it, and start from scratch.
I also have a theory that doctors don’t really talk about: every time you inject your skin, you create tiny scars. If you get lip injections often, especially with the micro droplet technique where they poke and poke, you get more tiny scars. Over time, scar tissue builds up and gets thicker. So no matter what, when you alter your appearance with filler, you’re still doing something permanent. A lot of people don’t consider that. If you get it done once and let it go away, sure, it might pretty much go away—but it’s not 100%. It’s still an injection, still puncturing your skin, so you’re still getting scar tissue.
How Much Does It Cost?
This might be the most common question I get: how much does lip filler cost? It can be really expensive, ranging up to $1,500. When I got it done, it was around $800 or $900. Dr. Dier’s prices have gone up since then—I haven’t gone in for a long time because after the third time my lips were pretty much staying. On average, a good doctor in Beverly Hills charges between $800 and $1,000, and you hope it lasts for about a year. There are cheaper options—starting at a few hundred dollars if you go to a med spa—but I don’t recommend just any old med spa. You really want to make sure your lips look good. They can mess up the shape of your lips if they do it wrong, and bad lips are a dead giveaway for plastic surgery. Bad lips are bad lips—I’ve seen it, and I’m not going to stop seeing it.
Is It Painful?
I personally think so—yes, it’s painful. It’s not comfortable. Dr. Dier really numbs his patients. He gives you a dental block—the same injection they give you at the dentist’s office, into your gums, so you go completely numb in that area. For me, because I’m very sensitive to anesthesia or numbing, it lasts about four hours. I don’t actually feel the lip injections, but I still find it uncomfortable to be numb and feel all that pressure. And the numbing injections themselves don’t feel great either. So I would say it’s a very uncomfortable experience. I’ve had friends tell me they went to people who just put numbing cream on them, and they said it was the most painful thing they’ve ever done—which makes sense because lips are very sensitive. So yes, it is painful.
Do My Lips Feel Like My Own?
Right now, my lips feel like my lips. I’m completely used to having filler in them—it’s been two years since I started. The first time I got it done, my lips were sore for two weeks. Actually, for four months I felt like I couldn’t even blot my lips normally—they didn’t feel right at all. But then I got used to it. As the swelling and pain went away, they started to feel like my normal lips. The first time they didn’t feel like my own, but now they 100% do.
However, a couple of things I wish I had known before I got my lips done:
- My lips are constantly chapped now. I stretched out my lips, so the inner part that was more inside my mouth is now exposed to the air. That part gets dry, chapped, and flaky on a regular basis. I have to constantly deal with that.
- Bruising can last a really long time. Any doctor—even the best—can accidentally bruise you because they’re sticking a needle in there. If you take fish oil supplements, drink alcohol, take aspirin, or even drink kombucha, it can thin your blood and cause bruising. I’ve heard people say they want to get a little tipsy before their appointment to handle the pain—but no, no, no! You don’t want that because you could bruise, and the bruise will not go away for a week or two. Even after two weeks, you might still see a little darkness at the bottom of your lip. I’ve only been bruised once out of three or four times, but when it happens, it sucks.
Do I Recommend Getting Your Lips Done?
Personally, I do. I love my lips. I feel like it changed my world a little bit. I like looking at my lips now, putting on lipstick—it’s different. But it really comes down to going to the right person. That’s such a loaded thing to say because what makes a person “right”? Obviously, you want someone board-certified in dermatology, facial plastic surgery, or plastic surgery. Look at their Instagram, their Yelp pages, talk to patients about their experiences. Don’t just go for a consultation—though it doesn’t hurt. You want to see what kind of aesthetic eye this doctor or injector has. You want to know what they’re going to do to you. Some places might have a one-size-fits-all look for everybody, and you don’t want that. You want someone who will look at your face and say, “This is what we need to do—fill a little here, accentuate this part of your lips.” Someone who will customize it to you and make sure it looks nice for your face.
It’s hard to find. Just because a big influencer or a celebrity went to someone doesn’t mean they’re the best. You don’t want to mess up your face. That’s always the thing I want to say: don’t mess up your face.
So that’s the story of my lips. I hope this was helpful. If you have questions, definitely ask. And if you have an experience to share—good or bad—share it in the comments. Beauty is so personal, and everyone has such different experiences. Sharing who you went to, even if it was a bad experience, can be really helpful for others. So go ahead, share your story, and remember: your lips should just look pretty—not like the only thing people look at.