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Is Juvederm for Lips Painful?

asked 3 years ago by m_dvaz in Toronto, ON
Latest answer by Kathleen F. Archer, MD
Question viewed 30,956 times
Tags: lips, lidocaine, pain

I went a couple days ago to get my lips plumped up with Juvederm. The MD applied a topical anesthetic and then proceded to give a local one like you get in your gums at the dentist. It was so painful that I fainted. I didn't even get to have my lips done. I'm too scared to go back and finish the procedure but I paid a lot of money. Is there any way this can be completed with out me having to pass out from the pain? Should lip injections hurt this bad?

29 answers to Is Juvederm for Lips Painful?

+1

Do lip injections hurt?

The lips have quite a large number of nerve endings that make injections uncomfortable. Topical and nerve blocks with local anesthetic deaden the nerve endings making the lip injections less uncomfortable. You had the nerve block and most likely would have felt very little discomfort had you gone through with the lip injections. You had what sounds like a Vago vagal response similar to what happens when people faint form having their blood drawn. If this happens... more
Francis R. Palmer, III, MD

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

drfrancispalmer.com

+3

Have your doctor mix Lidocaine with Juvederm

That must have been really painful to faint like that. Make sure the physician leaves the topical anesthetic on 30-40 minutes. Perhaps, after your experience, the doctor has found another pharmacy to mix up his anesthetic formulation. We have found our topical to be wonderful, after trying two others (one including Pliaglis). I find Morita's Hurricaine sticks to be helpful under the lip and in the area for the dental block. Then the dental block should be performed knocking out the... more
Arnold R. Oppenheim, MD

Virginia Beach Dermatologist
+3

Anesthesia with Lip Augmentation: Juvederm, Restylane. Towards painless lip augmentation

Lip Augmentation with facial fillers such as Juvederm and Restylane is a very common procedure. Although pain tolerance between patients varies considerably, there are many topical, injection technique related, and infiltrative anesthetic treatments that can minimize pain. A reasonable approach to anesthesia for lip augmentation should focus on the following techniques: Local anesthetic block of the infraorbital nerve and mental nerves Topical anesthesia of the inner lip mucosa and the... more
Raffy Karamanoukian, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+3

Juvederm placed in the lips can be painful if no local...

Juvederm placed in the lips can be painful if no local or topical is used. Some of my patients take it "cold" - no anesthetics. Most take at least a topical. For the more sensitive patients, I will often place a topical on the skin for 30 minutes, and add a viscous lidocaine solution to be placed along the gum line inside the mouth for about 5-10 minutes prior to performing nerve blocks. This makes the lip completely anesthetic and very easy for the patient. I am sure you... more
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+2

There are many techniques which can be used to lessen...

There are many techniques which can be used to lessen the discomfort associated with Juvederm injections in any part of the face. Ice, topical numbing creams, and distractors (such as vibrating devices or pinching) can often help to minimize the discomfort. In my practice, I have started placing numbing medicine in the Juvederm. This, combined with topical medication, usually allows for very little discomfort during injection.
D.J. Verret, MD

Dallas Facial Plastic Surgeon
+2

No need to have any pain

Juvederm to the lips are painful if you do not get adequate anesthesia. I usually do nerve block (like the dentists use) to numb the lips. Once the lip is completely numb, I do the injection. Next time, ask for nerve block.
Payman Simoni, MD

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Juvederm lip augmentation pain control

The lip line is a very senstive area. I have compared the original Juvederm Ultra to the Juvederm Ultra XC, which has lidocaine added to the gel, on established patients. Patients who required a dental type of nerve block with the plain Juvederm Ultra, now find that it is tolerable with just a topical anesthetic cream applied to the area for 30 minutes before treatment. The Cupid's Bow area can still be a bit tender whether with nerve block or topical cream... more
Kathleen F. Archer, MD

Houston Oculoplastic Surgeon
+1

Techniques for pain reduction with lip injection

Lips and fingertips are very sensitive areas. We routinely give topical numbing as well as a dental block for placing filler in the lip. The injections are usually well tolerated. Many injectable materials now have lidocaine, (a numbing medicine), in the syringe itself. (Juvederm Ultra and Ultra Plus XC, Restylane L). This helps, but we still do the topical and the block.
Jeffrey Roth, MD

Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon
+1

Is Juvederm painful to inject in the lips

Juvederm XC, the product that I like to use, comes in a syringe with an exceptional small needle and it is also mixed with lidocaine. I usually have a patient place a small ice pack on their face for a few minutes as well. This helps a lot. Generally speaking, patients tolerate the procedure well. It is also helpful, if you are really nervous, to take a Valium/Xanax before you have the procedure done. I have had a few patients who are really nervous do this, and this seems to help... more
Srdjan Ostric, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Juvederm XC: Haven't Done a Nerve Block Since

Lip injections can really hurt. I used to use nerve blocks pretty regularly for this, but since Juvederm XC came onto the market, I haven't done one since. My patients love it, and we use a 2-step process to make all types of facial injections virtually pain free: 1) Topical numbing cream. This makes the needle insertion painless. 2) Juvederm XC. Once the needle is in, the lidocaine in the XC formulas make the injection virtually pain free. I... more
Daniel Yamini, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1

Juvederm

We do a lot of lip augmentations and pain is very limited due to a variety of factors. We do a dental block with possible topical anesthetic when necessary depending on patient preference. We inject slow and use the smallest needle possible, along with soft music to limit discomfort. Patients always come back for more.
Sonia Badreshia-Bansal, MD

San Francisco Dermatologic Surgeon

www.elitemdspa.com

+1

Juvederm - painful

I'm sorry you had such a bad experience!  I've never had to use a dental block but everyone's pain tolerance is difference.  Generally if topical anesthetic is left on for a while (20-30 min) and then your lip is iced this should really numb your lips.  Also, I always use filler that has lidocaine mixed in - it really helps with the pain.   Dr. Cat Begovic
Catherine Huang-Begovic, MD

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Lip Augmentation Can and Should be Painless

Lip Augmentation, with Juvederm or any other product, can and should be painless. A skilled surgeon can administer an infraorbital nerve block with essentially ZERO pain. While this can be a painful block if not performed well, when it is done right patients feel almost nothing. Once the block has been placed, the lips are totally numb to the lip augmentation procedure, and even surgery! Good luck, Mike Nayak, MD
Laxmeesh Mike Nayak, MD

Saint Louis Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Juvederm for Lips Should Not Be Painful

Hi, Before we had the option of lidocaine anesthetic added to Juvederm, Restylane and Perlane, lip augmentation was painful without a dental block.  Now, with the anesthetic added to the fillers, usually topical anesthetic applied with ice for 15 minutes prior to the filler is usually very comfortable.  Most of my patients have moved away from a dental block and now use this technique.  However, there are certain patients that still need a dental block before lip... more
Grace Liu, MD

Newport Beach Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

Great lips just became easy! Juvederm XC

Injecting lips used to be traumatic for many patients as dental blocks can be extremely uncomfortable for many patients and topical anesthetic didn't quite work to minimize the pain..... However, for the past 3 months since the release of Juvederm XC which combines hyaluronic acid filler with local anesthetic in the same syringe we have had impressive reductions in pain associated with injections. It has become so comfortable using just topical anesthesia and Juvederm XC that I routin more
Kirk A. Churukian, MD

Los Gatos Plastic Surgeon
+1

Anesthesia for Juvederm

It is very important to completely numb the lips before injection.  Unfortunately, you can't inject directly into the lips without distorting the shape and risking the final result.  I use a topical anesthesia and then do a dental block (numbing the nerve before it arrives in the lips).  If you use vibration, distraction and precise and proper technique, you can do the dental block with minimal to no pain.  Once the lips are numb you should be able to do whatever... more
John Bitner, MD

Salt Lake City Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.drjohnbitner.com

+1

Decreasing Pain in Lip Injections

Every patient is uniquely wired to experience pain, especially in different areas of the face.  Dental blocks, when properly applied, are typically painless and quick and the most effective way of anesthetizing the area.  A properly performed dental block can make lip augmentation fairly easy to tolerate.  However, topical anesthesia can be helpful in some patients.  In many patients, the simple use of ice and delicate touch is all that is needed, especially if the... more
Anil R. Shah, MD

Chicago Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Pain-Free Juvederm Lip Augmentation

In our practice, lip augmentation is done with upper and lower lip blocks using plain lidocaine.  This will give the patient 45 to 60 minutes of dense local anesthesia so the injections will be total pain free.  We also cool the lips with cold packs before injection to reduce blood flow to the lips, which we believe reduces the amount of bruising.  Completely blocking the lips and avoiding topicals prevents distortion of the delicate contours of lip and... more
Neil J. Zemmel, MD

Richmond Plastic Surgeon
+1

Dental Block!!!

The lips are exquisitely sensitive!  I would never inject lips without a dental block first.  The dental block is nearly painless to perform, takes but a few seconds, and results in completely numb lips for about 20 minutes.  Topical ointments simply don't do the job.  Any doctor serious about injecting your lips more than one time should offer this service.  Any doctor who would like repeat and business and patient referrals should include the dental block... more
Louis W. Apostolakis, MD

Austin Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.dr-apo.com

+1

Juvederm XC

The lips are an extremely sensitive area. Realizing this, we primarily use Juvederm XC, which contains llidocaine for increased comfort.
Kris M. Reddy, MD, FACS

West Palm Beach Plastic Surgeon

www.drkrisreddy.com

+1

Lip Injections can be painfree if a good lip block is done

Doing beautiful lips is an art but doing them painfree is also a skill that varies among physicians.  While dental blocks are helpful, they often don't numb the center of the upper lip very well, which can be the most sensitive area, and can take 15-30 minutes to take effect.  A good "lip" block which is not as deep as a dental block but just numbs the lips can numb the entire lip in most patients 90-100% within minutes.  A topical spray called "Pain... more
Lorrie Klein, MD

Laguna Niguel Dermatologic Surgeon

www.ocdermatology.com

+1

Several options to prevent pain with Juvederm lip augmentation

You can have a gentle nerve block performed under the lips which will take only a few minutes to work, and last about 90 minutes before wearing off; there should be little discomfort after that. However, with the new Juvederm XC and with topical anesthesia and/ or iced compresses the blocks are usually not needed- it depends on your pain threshold and the skill of the injector. Once completed gentle molding will give a very nice result lastin 6-9 months.
Harrison C. Putman III, MD

Peoria Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.specialface.com

+1

How to reduce pain with Juvederm in lips

Without anesthesia, any lip injection will be a bit uncomfortable!  However, proper topical anesthesia, ice, blocks, and the new Juvederm XC (which has lidocaine to numb the area) should allow for a very comfortable experience.
Randy J. Buckspan, MD

Austin Plastic Surgeon
+1

Painful fillers in lips

Any injection into the skin can cause discomfort or pain, and so there are various techniques used by a dermatologist or plastic surgeon to minimize discomfort. These are often combined & include: slow injection, using as fine ("gauge") a needle to inject as possible, talkesthesia (distracting the patient by talking), ice packs, vibration, local anesthesia, or local anesthetic nerve blocks. The hyaluronic acid fillers like juvederm and restylane can also have lidocaine... more
Benjamin Barankin, MD

Toronto Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

Comfort Measures for Juvederm

Although all of this was good feedback; to suggest that these treatments can actually be pain-free will lead to an unrealistic expectation. Anytime a needle goes into the skin/tissue, there will be some measure of discomfort. The degree of discomfort will be influenced by pain tolerance as well as the suggestions already offered. In our practice, we find that triple numbing cream, diligent icing, and a slow, gentle technqiue will go far in offsetting the discomfort involved. Most patients... more
Harold J. Kaplan, MD

Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Dental blocks eliminate Juvederm pain.

Hi. Try a different plastic surgeon.  Well done dental blocks take a moment, and then the Juvederm injections can be done slowly and carefully because you feel no pain.
George J. Beraka, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

I Use Only Topical Anesthesia For Numbing The Skin Before Fillers to the Lips

Having experimented with all possible combinations of topical numbing, local aneshetic shots, dental blocks, etc., I have found a truly remarkable system for performing fillers to the lips. I no longer use any lidocaine injections before fillers. In my practice, we have worked with a chemist to develop a special topical anesthetic mix, that works so incredibly well, that we no longer use any additional injections to numb the lips before using fillers. Additionally, I worked closely with Dr... more
Ilya Reyter, MD

Beverly Hills Dermatologist
+1

Lip augmentation does not have to be painful

Lip augmentation does not have to be painful especially if a dental block is performed first. Typically, we apply a topical anesthetic to the inside of the upper lips like Hurricaine or benzocaine jelly. After a few moments, we inject lidocaine with a very small needle into the upper and lower lip regions near the upper teeth and lower teeth regions. This nicely anesthetizes the entire region making the injections of filler into the upper and lower lip virtually painless.
Scott Trimas, MD

Jacksonville Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Lip Injections with no discomfort

Juvederm injections require just a few minutes to perform. Most injections of Juvederm Ultra or Juvederm Ultra Plus, Restylane or Perlane can be performed with little or no pain by administration of local anesthesia just prior to the injection. Injection of the lips is usually completely painless, using intra-oral anesthesia that produces total numbness of the lips. For injection of lines and creases on the face, a local anesthetic solution is used that causes vasoconstriction, decreasing... more
Michael Law, MD

Raleigh-Durham Plastic Surgeon

michaellawmd.com

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