Lip filler over implants - Can an experienced injector do this?

Question

Hello. I had lip implants about 10 years ago and would like to plump them up more with injections. Should I go to a plastic surgeon, or can an experienced injector handle this? Is there anything special to know about doing injections over top of implants?

Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD · Answer

This is a very good question, and I’m glad you’re thinking carefully about it before proceeding.

Yes, lip filler can be done in patients who already have lip implants, but it does require extra experience, caution, and a very thoughtful technique. The presence of implants changes the anatomy of the lips, and that’s where injector expertise really matters.

An experienced injector who is very familiar with lip anatomy and has treated patients with implants before can safely perform this. That injector may be a plastic surgeon or a highly experienced medical injector—what’s most important is specific experience with lip implants, not just general filler experience.

There are a few key considerations:

Depth matters: Filler should be placed in a superficial plane so it doesn’t interfere with or obscure the implant.

Small amounts are best: Conservative dosing helps avoid excessive firmness, distortion, or an overfilled look.

Implant position must be respected: The injector needs to understand where the implant sits to avoid irregularity or pressure.

Higher risk of firmness or asymmetry: Because the implant already adds volume, filler is used mainly to refine shape and softness, not dramatically increase size.

One thing patients sometimes don’t expect is that lips with implants can feel firmer after filler compared to natural lips. That doesn’t mean something went wrong—it’s simply the combined effect of two volume-enhancing materials.

In short, this can be done safely and beautifully, but it’s not a beginner-level injection. Whether the provider is a plastic surgeon or a non-surgical injector matters less than their comfort, training, and real-world experience injecting over implants.

Your desire for a subtle enhancement is actually ideal in this setting and tends to lead to the best, most natural-looking results.

Citrus Aesthetics - San Diego · Answer

Yes, lip filler can be performed in patients with existing lip implants, but it’s not something to approach casually. This situation requires an experienced, medically trained injector who understands both facial anatomy and how implants change the structure of the lips.
At Citrus Aesthetics, we always think in terms of a multi-modality approach. Lip implants already provide permanent volume and structure, so the goal of filler is not to “stack volume,” but to subtly refine shape, symmetry, hydration, or definition, often using very small amounts of product.
There are a few important considerations:
Implants alter anatomy. Scar tissue, implant placement, and long-term tissue changes can affect how filler behaves and where it can be safely placed.Technique matters. Injection depth, product choice, and placement must be adjusted to avoid pressure on the implant or surrounding blood vessels.Conservative treatment is key. Overfilling can increase the risk of vascular compromise, firmness, or an unnatural look.Collaboration is sometimes necessary. If there are concerns about implant position, integrity, or complications, consultation with (or referral to) a plastic surgeon may be appropriate.
In most cases, a highly experienced injector working within a medical practice can safely treat over lip implants, as long as the plan is thoughtful, conservative, and individualized. This is exactly where a multi-modality mindset, considering anatomy, past procedures, product selection, and long-term outcomes, matters most.
Aesthetic treatments should always be discussed with and performed by a trained, licensed, and medically certified aesthetic provider. The recommendations above are for educational purposes only and do not replace an in-person consultation, examination, or personalized medical advice.

Onir Spiegel, DDS, PhD · Answer

Getting lip filter infected over an implant is not an easy proposition. If performed, it should get done by an expert injector. I would recommend having an evaluation by a plastic surgeon and consider having the implant removed and consider a lip lift procedure.

Lip filler over implants - Can an experienced injector do this?

Answers (3)

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