Lip fillers cost $656 on average, according to 290 patient reviews.
A handful of variables influence the price of lip injections, and prices can range from just $340 to $1,501.
Read on to find out:
Related: Everything You Need to Know About Lip Fillers
Lip fillers have a 94% Worth It Rating from reviewers on RealSelf, so the general consensus is that lip injections—and temporarily fuller lips—are worth the expense.
There are various types of lip fillers, but the FDA-approved versions available in the U.S. are all made from hyaluronic acid (HA), a water-binding sugar molecule that exists naturally in the body.
Unlike lip-filling materials from the past, such as collagen, hyaluronic acid fillers are temporary and can be dissolved with an injection of the enzyme hyaluronidase if there’s a complication or you simply don’t love your lip enhancement result. (Semi-permanent fillers, like Radiesse and Bellafill, should never be used in or around the lips.)
Reviewers who are happy with their lip filler injections say they like the natural-looking results—the plumping of thin lips and moisturized look HA gives the pout. They appreciate how lip filler can subtly improve their lip shape by defining the Cupid’s bow, creating more lip show at the corners of the mouth, boosting lip volume, blurring fine lines, and correcting asymmetry.
Lip filler results hinge largely on the skill and aesthetic eye of your injector, so look for someone with vast experience and a style that aligns with your own. (If their lips look fake, yours might too.)
The type of dermal filler they choose (how thick or thin it is) and the amount of filler they inject will also influence your lip augmentation outcome.
Reviewers who say their results were "Not Worth It" typically complained of complications and side effects like asymmetries, lumps, bruising at injection sites, and migration. Again, most of these issues can be avoided by choosing a provider who knows what types of filler work best in the lips and how and where to place them to achieve your aesthetic goals.
These are the primary factors that impact the price of lip injections.
Many injectors charge by the syringe. However, more and more are converting to a procedure-based pricing system—charging a fixed price per area or treatment, regardless of the number of ccs used—to avoid commoditizing injectables, which are legitimate medical procedures.
If your provider still charges by the syringe, be mindful not to fall into the trap of injecting more than you need in an attempt to avoid wasting product. This can lead to an overfilled look, soreness, lumps, and other complications, doctors say.
The best injectors are conservative, especially if it's your first time, and may only use half a syringe. Your lip size and shape will help determine the quantity: thin lips may not accommodate a full syringe.
If the lips of your dreams are especially voluptuous, you may need up to 2 syringes to achieve your desired results. Still, many injectors will start with 1 syringe, let it settle, and then have you return at a later date if you want more oomph.
RealSelf Tip: If you're looking for more lift to your upper lip than volume, you may want to ask your injector if you’re a good candidate for a Botox lip flip instead. It gives you a more subtle improvement, but it usually costs a few hundred dollars less than lip injections. (A lip flip is very different from the plastic surgery procedure known as the lip lift, which is a permanent way to shorten the distance between the nose and top lip.)
There are several brands of dermal fillers for lip enhancement, and they all differ in price. Some HAs, like Restylane Silk, are thin and fluid (best for subtle lip improvements), while others, like Juvéderm Volbella, are more viscous and buoyant (better for more dramatic lip augmentation). Most come infused with the anesthetic lidocaine.
Ask your provider which filler they recommend for your treatment, especially if it’s your first time. Not only will this help you understand how you like or dislike the results of different formulas, but it will ensure you receive a genuine (not counterfeit) lip filler treatment that is safe and FDA-approved. For added peace of mind, ask to see the original packaging ahead of your treatment.
Your provider will likely use one of these formulas for your lip enhancement:
Thicker, firmer formulas with stronger crosslinking (or bonding of HA molecules) are known to last longer than softer, less sturdy formulas—and a product’s longevity often plays into its pricing.
But don’t put too much stock into the expected lifespans of various fillers. Recent research is finding that HA gels tend to be more durable than expected, especially when injected in areas of little movement.
Plus, filler longevity varies with the individual: The same product that lasts 12 months in one face can persist for five years in another.
Booking your filler touch-ups based on how you look—rather than according to prescribed timelines—will help keep you looking natural and save you money in the long run.
In most parts of the country, the only providers who are legally allowed to inject dermal fillers are physicians (such as a board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon), physician’s assistants, and nurses.
Lip injections cost more when they're done by a more qualified provider. If your treatment is performed by an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon or an in-demand nurse injector with a large social media following, you may pay a premium for your treatment.
We can all appreciate a deal, but it’s not a great idea to cut corners when it comes to choosing your lip filler provider. This medical procedure comes with risks and potential side effects, and just because it’s minimally invasive doesn’t mean it can’t be dangerous in inexperienced hands.
You’re less likely to have problems if you see a qualified provider for your lip injections. Think about it this way: Physicians like dermatologists, otolaryngologists, and plastic surgeons all receive advanced training in facial anatomy, while your neighborhood esthetician who’s offering a deal on cheap lip filler probably didn’t. Who would you rather trust with your lips?
The price of lip injections is also influenced by the cost of living in your city (scroll down to see averages), how many providers offer lip filler in the area, and the level of demand.
The average cost of lip enhancement tends to be higher in geographic locations with a high cost of living, like Los Angeles or New York. You'll also pay more to see a provider at a luxury medspa in a high-rent neighborhood than you would at a more no-frills office.
RealSelf Tip: Silikon 1000 is sometimes used off-label for permanent lip enhancement. Unlike the aforementioned hyaluronic acid fillers, its primary ingredient is medical-grade silicone oil. The FDA has cautioned against the use of injectable silicone for cosmetic procedures, citing potential complications like migration and tissue death.
Again, most cosmetic surgery providers prefer lip augmentation with hyaluronic acid-based fillers because a poor result can be reversed with the injection of hyaluronidase. While it may seem financially savvy to pay just once for permanent fillers, it's really not worth the risk.
Most injectors don’t recommend augmenting the lips in isolation, especially for older patients. Doing so can throw off the balance of the face, create an obvious mismatch, or even spotlight nearby wrinkles and folds. Full, youthful lips deserve an equally beautiful backdrop—which means a combo treatment may be in order.
Commonly, injectors will suggest addressing lip lines, smile lines (nasolabial folds), marionette lines, a weak chin, or a slack jawline during a lip filler appointment with some combination of filler, Botox, lasers, and/or RF microneedling.
Each of these treatments can ramp up your total cost—sometimes significantly—so be sure to inquire about add-on pricing ahead of time. Some providers offer a discount on any additional procedure.
While it’s wise to avoid “cheap” lip injections offered on discount sites (way too risky!), it’s still worth researching if your brand of choice offers any kind of voucher or savings options. For example, the makers of Juvéderm have a reward program called Allē, which allows you to earn points with treatment that can be redeemed at future appointments.
Additionally, many reputable lip injectors offer deals around major holidays. Be sure to check all your resources, including social media.
Browse average lip filler costs and ranges by state, according to the 414 most recent RealSelf reviews as of March 2023. (Note: States not included don't have enough recent data to display.)
State | Average Cost |
---|---|
Alabama | $533 |
Arizona | $887 |
California | $686 |
Colorado | $513 |
Florida | $731 |
Georgia | $701 |
Illinois | $484 |
Indiana | $735 |
Kansas | $812 |
Louisiana | $608 |
Maryland | $656 |
Massachusetts | $876 |
Michigan | $603 |
Missouri | $675 |
Nevada | $610 |
New Jersey | $642 |
New York | $748 |
North Carolina | $816 |
Ohio | $895 |
Oregon | $611 |
Pennsylvania | $746 |
South Carolina | $850 |
Texas | $743 |
Utah | $519 |
Virginia | $611 |
Washington State | $813 |
Wisconsin | $521 |
Average costs according to patient-reported data. As of July 2023, the cheapest metro area in the U.S. to get lip fillers is El Paso, TX, while people tend to pay the most in New York City. Cities not listed did not have enough data to include.
Metro Area | Average Cost |
---|---|
El Paso, TX | $390 |
Bakersfield, CA | $450 |
Mobile, AL | $471 |
Salt Lake City, UT | $475 |
Chicago, IL | $480 |
Denver, CO | $483 |
Phoenix, AZ | $502 |
Detroit, MI | $507 |
Kansas City, MO | $507 |
Milwaukee, WI | $521 |
San Francisco, CA | $550 |
Long Island East of JFK | $552 |
Sacramento, CA | $564 |
North New Jersey | $573 |
Atlanta, GA | $581 |
Las Vegas, NV | $581 |
San Antonio, TX | $587 |
Tampa, FL | $600 |
Austin, TX | $625 |
Washington, DC | $641 |
San Diego, CA | $650 |
Indianapolis, IN | $657 |
Pittsburgh, PA | $661 |
West Palm Beach, FL | $663 |
Boston, MA | $671 |
Dallas-Fort Worth, TX | $675 |
Portland, OR | $678 |
Orlando, FL | $696 |
Houston, TX | $700 |
Baltimore, MD | $700 |
Miami, FL | $700 |
Cleveland, OH | $750 |
Raleigh-Durham, NC | $750 |
Charlotte, NC | $761 |
Orange County | $772 |
Los Angeles, CA | $774 |
Philadelphia & South New Jersey | $788 |
New York City | $974 |