How to choose the right doctor for lip injections ?

lip injections have become a highly sought-after aesthetic medicine procedure to achieve fuller, more symmetrical, and well-defined lips . However, as with any aesthetic procedure, choosing the right doctor is essential to ensure a natural and harmonious result. Whether you're considering this procedure for the first time or looking for a new doctor, it’s important to proceed with caution and discernment.

In this article, we will explore how to choose the right practitioner for lip injections by covering key selection criteria, required qualifications, necessary precautions, and questions to ask before starting. Choosing the right practitioner is crucial to ensure optimal results while minimizing risks.

Contents

Why is it essential to choose your doctor carefully for lip injections ?

Lip injections require not only technical skill but also an artistic eye to ensure natural aesthetic results. A poor choice can lead to unsatisfactory results or even serious complications. Here's why selecting your doctor with care is imperative :

Technical expertise and anatomical knowledge

The lips are a particularly delicate area of the face, with complex vascularization and anatomical variations. It is therefore crucial that the doctor has excellent knowledge of lip anatomy. Poor placement of hyaluronic acid can result in visible irregularities, asymmetries, or even serious complications such as vascular occlusion.
Only a qualified and experienced doctor can properly assess your lips, understand your expectations, and perform precise and safe injections.

Natural and personalized results

Natural and personalized results Every patient is unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution for lip injections. A good doctor must be able to personalize the treatment based on each patient’s needs and goals. This includes knowing how much product to inject, but also selecting the appropriate injection technique to create subtle, natural results in harmony with the rest of the face.
An inexperienced doctor may tend to over-inject, resulting in excessive volume or an artificial look—commonly referred to as the “duck lips” effect. This is why choosing a professional who can adapt the treatment to each individual’s features is so important.

Criteria for choosing the right practitioner for lip injections

  • Ensure the practitioner is a qualified doctor

The first fundamental criterion for choosing a practitioner for lip injections is verifying their medical qualifications. Hyaluronic acid injections must be performed by a licensed doctor—this means a dermatologist, plastic surgeon, or a doctor with expertise in aesthetic medicine and trained in injection techniques. Absolutely avoid injections performed by beauticians or other non-medical professionals, who do not have the knowledge required to perform these procedures safely and are practicing illegally. Only doctors are authorized to perform hyaluronic acid injections.
A competent practitioner will also know how to manage potential complications. They are trained to recognize and treat rare but serious side effects such as vascular occlusion, which can lead to tissue necrosis if not treated promptly.

  • Experience and expertise

While many doctors are qualified to perform injections, it is recommended to choose a practitioner who is an expert in aesthetics and has proven experience in lip injections. An experienced doctor will have treated many patients and will know how to adapt techniques to different lip shapes and needs.
Ask how many years of experience the doctor has in this field and how many injections they perform per year. A practitioner who regularly performs this type of procedure will have refined their skills and will be better equipped to deliver optimal results.

  • Check patient reviews and testimonials

Another way to find a good practitioner is to read reviews and testimonials from patients who have already had lip injections. Review platforms, specialized forums, or even social media can offer valuable insights into the doctor’s reputation, the quality of their results, and patient satisfaction levels.

  • Aesthetic approach

A good practitioner must have an artistic vision and be able to understand your expectations. They must also know what suits your face. The key to a successful result is to create a natural look that harmonizes with the entire face, not to blindly follow trends. A competent doctor will always favor a subtle and personalized approach.

  • Environment and hygiene

Make sure that lip injections are performed in a secure medical setting that follows the strictest hygiene standards. The clinic or practice must be clean, and the instruments must be sterile. Injections done outside a proper medical setting increase the risk of infection and complications.

  • Book a preliminary consultation

Before deciding to proceed with lip injections, it is essential to meet the doctor for a preliminary consultation. This step is crucial to ask questions, express your expectations, and ensure you feel comfortable with the doctor. A good practitioner will take the time to understand your goals, explain the procedure in detail, and give you an honest assessment of the results you can expect.

  • Check the quality of the products used

Another important factor is the choice of products used for lip injections. The hyaluronic acid must be high quality and approved by health authorities (such as the FDA or the Swiss Institute for Therapeutic Products in Switzerland). Ask the doctor what brands of injectable products they use and make sure they are reputable and safe. A good doctor will note the product in your medical file and provide you with the traceability label.

Questions to ask before getting lip injections

A competent doctor will never pressure you into making a decision and should be able to answer your questions clearly and professionally.

Here are key questions to ask during your consultation :

  • What is your training and experience in lip injections ?
  • How many lip injections have you performed ?
  • What products do you use for lip injections ?
  • What are the risks and potential side effects ?
  • How do you handle complications if they arise ?
  • What results can I realistically expect ?
  • How long do the results last and when should I come in for touch-ups ?
  • What is the total cost of lip injections with hyaluronic acid ?

Mistakes to avoid when choosing a doctor for lip injections

Unfortunately, the rise in popularity of lip injections has led to the proliferation of unqualified practitioners and non-doctors performing these procedures. Here are some common mistakes to avoid when searching for the right practitioner :

  • Being swayed by very low prices

While the price of lip injections is a factor to consider, it should never be your only selection criterion. Very low prices can indicate poor product quality or unqualified practitioners. Beware of overly attractive promotional offers, as the results may turn out disappointing—or even dangerous. High-quality hyaluronic acid injections come at a cost, which includes not only the product itself, but also the practitioner’s expertise and the guarantee of a safe medical environment.

  • Choosing a practitioner without verifying credentials

Never cut corners when it comes to verifying a doctor’s medical credentials. An unqualified practitioner may not understand the subtleties of lip anatomy, thereby increasing the risk of complications. Before making an appointment, check if the doctor is registered with the Medical Council and has specific training in aesthetic medicine.

  • Relying solely on influencers and celebrities

While social media can be a valuable source of information, do not choose your practitioner based solely on influencer or celebrity recommendations. Although they may promote certain doctors, it is essential to do your own research and consult qualified professionals before making a decision.

How to choose your doctor for lip augmentation : conclusion

Choosing the right practitioner for lip injections is a crucial step to ensure a natural and harmonious result while minimizing risks. It is important to look for a qualified doctor, trained in aesthetic medicine, and with solid experience in hyaluronic acid injections. Don’t hesitate to ask questions, check patient reviews, and ensure that the doctor meets all safety and hygiene standards.

Photo of doctor Valeria Romano in Geneva

Article written by Dr Romano Valeria

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