How to Make Your Lip Filler Results Last Longer

Wondering how to make your lip filler last longer? Learn what to do to amplify your lip filler results.

Whoever said you don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone couldn’t have been talking about filler. The second we walk out of the doctor’s office with newly plumped lips, we’re crossing our fingers and wishing for a miracle to keep the volume from slowly fading over the coming months. We know we’ve got it good, and we’ll do whatever it takes to help maintain and extend the results beyond their typical life expectancy. Turns out, there are actually some tips, tricks, and products that can help preserve your enhanced lips—because a little extra time between expensive (and not completely painless) appointments is always a good thing. 

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How long do lip fillers last?

Although you’ll see an immediate boost in volume from any lip filler, the duration of these results varies greatly, depending on the product used and your own metabolism. Hyaluronic acid-based fillers tend to last between six and 12 months in the lips, although some patients report even longer-lasting results. Restylane Silk, one of the most common choices for lip filler, lasts up to six months, while popular alternatives Juvéderm Ultra XC and Ultra Plus XC both last between six and 12 months. Juvéderm Vollure XC can last up to 18 months, and Juvéderm Volbella XC lasts up to a year.

Deciding which filler is best for you will depend on a number of factors, including your desired results, but the choice should always be discussed with your provider. Many practitioners advise that these fillers will begin wearing off around two or three months after injection, mostly due to the movement of lips, so most patients opt for maintenance treatments and touch-ups even before their filler has been completely metabolized. The good news is that some filler will remain, so you’ll require less and less at each subsequent appointment to achieve the same results.

Prep prior to your appointment

While post-lip-filler care is obviously crucial to sustaining the effects of your injection, maintenance efforts should actually begin before you even enter your doctor’s office. “The lips are one of the easiest places to bruise, so prior to receiving injections, my patients are advised to avoid blood thinners, like aspirin and fish oil, and to put on a prescription [medication] if they’re prone to cold sores or bruising so that we can mitigate side effects,” says New York City dermatologist Dr. Dendy Engelman. She also encourages patients to keep their lips as hydrated as possible, with Aquaphor. Immediately following injection, Dr. Engelman turns to ice packs to reduce swelling, but otherwise, she thinks bruising and swelling are best left alone. “Patients should also avoid eating any spicy foods that would irritate the lips, since we’ve caused trauma to an already delicate, sensitive area,” she advises. 

Related: Injectable Bruises? Been There. Here’s How to Handle Them Without Hiding Out.

Set up a skin-care routine—for your lips

Lip fillers can last anywhere from six months to a year, depending on the type you get, but there are some practices along the way that might help extend or at least accentuate results. Dr. Engelman suggests ‘topping off’ your filler—that is, not waiting until the filler has completely worn off to get more and touching up along the way—but there are also plenty of at-home solutions, she says. “These include lip-plumping products with hyaluronic acid and peptides, like SkinMedica HA5 Smooth & Plump Lip System or iS Clinical Youth Lip Elixir, which moisturizes and visibly smooths the lips.” In addition, Dr. Engelamn suggests exfoliating lips with something like Biologique Recherche P50 Lotion, every two weeks or so. 

Hydration is key to maintaining the plumping results of filler—and for this, there are a number of over-the-counter masks and serums that boost moisture and soften, like Patchology’s Hydrating Lip Gels and the cult favorite KNC Beauty All Natural Collagen Infused Lip Mask. A more under-the-radar pick, 111Skin Meso Infusion Lip Mark & Plumping Duo enriches lips with nourishing ingredients around the clock while targeting fine lines and wrinkles and encouraging collagen production.

As a general rule, skin and lip care shouldn’t sting, so avoid topical lip-plumping products with ingredients like peppermint, cinnamon, capsicum, and bee venom. These work by irritating your lips to the point that they swell temporarily, and many are drying when applied repeatedly. 

Related: Which Fillers Work Best Where? Dermatologists Break It Down

Enhance with highlighter and gloss

There are also plenty of makeup tricks to enhance your lips. “I tell my clients with fillers to be proactive and keep their lips moisturized at all times, especially after a lip filler refresher,” says New York City makeup artist Juan Antonio. He recommends a gentle lip exfoliator to not only remove dead skin but also to extend the life of a lipstick or gloss. “Tom Ford Lip Exfoliator is the go-to,” he notes. “It prepares and resurfaces lips for optimal color application, and the sugar-based scrub helps remove dry flakes and dead skin cells to reveal fresh, healthy-looking lips.”

From there, Antonio says that one of the best ways to make lips look fuller is with gloss. “I tend to go for glosses that range from nude to natural colors. Applying these colors helps lips appear fuller while still maintaining a feminine and soft look.” The makeup artist’s favorite for this effect is Chanel Rouge Coco Gloss, in whichever color best suits your skin tone and personal preference.

Antonio also recommends accentuating the Cupid’s bow in order to give the look of a full top lip. “You can achieve the ultimate makeup application on your Cupid’s bow, simply by using a reflective highlighter when wearing a matte lipstick—or a matte highlighter when doing a creamy or shiny lip, for a more versatile option,” he says. Antonio’s highlighter of choice is Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat All-Over Brightening Pen, and he encourages choosing a color that is a few shades lighter than your actual skin tone, for the best results. For reflective highlighter, he says that anything creamy will work but urges clients to complete it with a metallic finish. “Dip a skinny detail brush into metallic shadow and draw the ‘V’ shape for the Cupid’s bow,” Antonio advises. Just be careful not to overdraw beyond your natural lip line, since chances are, you’re full enough as is.

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The bottom line

Eventually, we’re hoping to see a filler on the market that is safe, is dissolvable, and doesn’t require as frequent return injections. Until that day, the best thing you can do is to consult an expert and ensure that you are going to a top provider for your injections. Everything else is just another way to make that post-filler confidence last as long as possible.