Lip Filler in Lake Norman, NC

Swelling first, photos later

Plan on a few days of swelling, and sometimes a bruise. The FDA lists swelling and bruising among the most common filler side effects and says many clear up within days to weeks. The shape you keep is the one at your two-week follow-up, not the one in the car on the way back to the lake.

So if there's a boat day, a wedding, or a family photo coming up, book lips at least two weeks before. If the date is sooner, a consult now and treatment after the event is the better plan.

Cost

Filler is priced per syringe and quoted at your free consult, the same for every town. See the pricing page. You get a specific estimate before anything is booked. Financing through Cherry and CareCredit is available for treatment plans.

Does it hurt?

Numbing cream goes on first, and some fillers already contain lidocaine, a numbing medicine. Lips are sensitive, but most people find it more comfortable than they expected.

How long it lasts

The FDA says how long a filler lasts depends on the filler material and where it's injected, and that absorbable fillers break down over time, so the treatment may need repeating. I can't give you a number of months for your lips. HA filler can usually be dissolved with hyaluronidase if it ever needs to come out, which is a procedure with its own risks.

Your first visit

We talk first. I look at your lips at rest and while you smile and talk, and we agree on a plan. I build slowly and stop at natural. More can be added at two weeks.

If you'd rather the top lip just show a bit more when you smile, without volume, ask about a lip flip. That's Botox, covered on my Lake Norman Botox page.

Before you book

The FDA's page on dermal fillers lays out the risks. Bring these up at your consult:

• You're under 22. The FDA approves dermal fillers for adults 22 and older.
• You're pregnant or breastfeeding. The FDA says filler safety is unknown during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
• Your skin is inflamed or infected where we'd treat, including active acne, a rash, or hives.
• You have a bleeding disorder, severe allergies or a history of anaphylaxis, or an allergy to lidocaine.
• You tend to form keloids or raised scars.
• There's a cold sore, swelling, or any sign of infection on or around your lips.

The FDA lists bruising, redness, swelling, pain, tenderness, and itching as common filler side effects, and says many clear up within days to weeks. The most serious risk is filler getting into a blood vessel. The FDA calls that chance low, but it can cause tissue damage, vision problems including blindness, or stroke. Get care right away for unusual pain, any change in your vision, or skin near the injection site that turns white, gray, or blue.

What I can't promise

I can't tell you how much filler you need or how long it will last until I've seen your lips. My license is on the North Carolina Board of Nursing site, and the rest of my menu is on the services page.