The lips are a symbol of beauty, femininity, and allure. Many women desire well-defined, plump lips.
In aesthetic medicine, hyaluronic acid injections are an effective method to increase lip volume.
It is also possible to hydrate the lips — this is the "gloss effect" — or to treat the vertical fine lines that appear over time, known as barcode wrinkles.
How to plump the lips ? How to get fuller lips ?
There are very few ways to plump the lips naturally : glosses and serums can temporarily increase hydration, but the effect on volume is minimal and short-lived.
Hyaluronic acid lip injections are the gold standard for achieving plump lips.
Doctor Romano performs lip injections in Geneva using several techniques depending on the patient’s anatomy and preferences.
The techniques performed are :
Lip augmentation is a very common request in aesthetic medicine. According to a European study, one in two women has had this procedure at least once in their life.
In fact, some women feel self-conscious about having lips they perceive as too thin and dream of fuller lips.
A key element of beauty and sensuality, lips are a central feature of attraction.
Aesthetic medicine offers several non-invasive techniques for lip enhancement.
To achieve a more aesthetic result, other treatments targeting imperfections around the mouth are often combined with this procedure : treatment of nasolabial folds , marionette lines , and fine lines around the lips.
Daily hydration is essential to maintain soft skin and protect the lips from aggressions (stress, pollution, cold, etc.). In winter, for example, this area is prone to chapping, which is both painful and unaesthetic. The skin covering the lips is extremely thin and delicate.
There are several lip augmentation techniques using hyaluronic acid injections. After assessment, depending on your anatomy and goals, doctor Romano will suggest the most suitable one.
Plumping the lips
This treatment gives the lips a fuller and more voluptuous appearance while maintaining a natural texture.
Lip filling
Lip filling involves injecting hyaluronic acid to fill in flat or hollow areas of the lips. This method is used not only to add volume, but also to smooth wrinkles around the mouth and improve hydration.
Gloss lips
Long-lasting hydration without volume enhancement. This technique is especially indicated for patients who constantly suffer from dry or chapped lips.
Lip contouring
Lip contouring is a technique that redefines the lip border for a cleaner, more defined result, without significantly increasing lip volume.
Brazilian Hug Lips
The “Brazilian Hug Lip” is a recent lip enhancement technique that aims to create a natural, plump look.
The goal is to achieve naturally fuller lips, with a subtle lifting effect and enhanced definition of the Cupid’s bow.
The word “hug” suggests that the lips are gently enveloped and highlighted, with particular focus on improving texture and lip line definition.
The improvement is visible and stays true to the natural proportions of the face.
Russian lips
The “Russian Lips” technique is a lip augmentation method that creates a lifted effect where the lips are enhanced with a relatively flat profile — similar to the look of Russian dolls’ lips.
Lip injection is one of the most technically complex facial injections. A natural result is not achieved by every doctor. Hyaluronic acid injection is preceded by a consultation and analysis of dental support, orbicularis oris muscle tone, and the amount of fat in the lips.
Injection can be performed with a cannula or needle. A relatively new technique is Russian Lips, which lifts the lips without projecting them.
Analysis of the lips, product selection, injection plan, injected quantity, and injection method all make the difference between a beautiful result and a "duck lips" effect.
Lip injections are a fully customized procedure.
In most cases, the product used is a volumizing lip filler. In some situations (very thin lips, minimal muscle tone, no dental support...), different products may be selected by the doctor.
Specific products have been developed for the lips.
The depth of injection is important for the outcome : injecting behind the orbicularis oris muscle causes lip eversion, while injecting into the mucosa and vermillion border increases red lip height.
No special preparation is required for hyaluronic acid lip augmentation.
One week before the procedure, it is recommended to avoid medications and supplements that may thin the blood, such as aspirin or ibuprofen. Stopping antiplatelet or anticoagulant medication must only be done on the advice of the prescribing doctor.
It is also preferable to avoid smoking for a few hours before the injection. You should keep your lips well hydrated and gently exfoliate to remove dead skin cells — this can slightly reduce discomfort during the procedure.
You must inform the doctor of any allergies or medical conditions that could affect the treatment.
Contraindications are the same as for other hyaluronic acid injections.
Post-injection care is important to ensure optimal results and prevent complications. It is recommended not to massage the lips in the days following the procedure to avoid product displacement — doctor Romano places the hyaluronic acid precisely, and since it is a medium-crosslinked product, it will stay in place.
For two days, apply cold compresses to reduce swelling and bruising, and avoid intense physical activity or exposure to heat sources such as saunas or hot baths.
For two days, it is also advised to apply a healing cream and avoid smoking. If stopping smoking is not possible, rinse the lips with water immediately afterward.
If you have a history of cold sores, doctor Romano will prescribe antiviral prophylaxis to prevent an outbreak following the injection.
Lip injections provide fuller and more defined lips. However, sometimes the results of these injections do not last as long as expected. Several factors can explain why hyaluronic acid injections in the lips may not be long-lasting.
Product choice
There are various types of hyaluronic acid with different levels of quality and firmness. Lower-quality or ill-suited products degrade more quickly.
Injection technique
The injection technique plays a crucial role in how long results last. A poorly executed injection may lead to uneven product distribution or faster absorption.
Lip movement
The lips are an extremely mobile area, used constantly for speaking, eating, and expressing emotions. This intense muscular activity accelerates the breakdown of hyaluronic acid.
Maintenance and follow-up
To maintain injection results, maintenance sessions (every 8 to 12 months) are necessary. An irregular or inadequate treatment schedule causes the effects to fade more quickly.
Hydration and skincare
Daily skin care and hydration can affect how long injection results last. If the skin is well hydrated and healthy, results tend to last longer.
Individual sensitivity
Side effects of hyaluronic acid injections are rare and limited. Hyaluronic acid is naturally present in the body, making it a biocompatible product.
The initial swelling that occurs just after the injection generally subsides within a few days, leaving a pretty and natural result.
If the patient wishes, medication can be prescribed to speed up the resolution of swelling.
In case of a history of cold sores, antiviral treatment is recommended to prevent an outbreak following the injection.
Bruising is rare, but possible and temporary.
After lip augmentation, recovery usually takes anywhere from a few hours to a few days. Although hyaluronic acid is a natural substance well tolerated by the body, bruising and swelling may occur after the procedure.
Significant swelling usually disappears within 48 to 72 hours. The lips completely deflate within 7 to 14 days depending on the individual response.
Results from lip injections are visible immediately after treatment, although swelling may temporarily obscure the final outcome.
Depending on the patient’s needs and preferences, the possible results include :
This procedure effectively corrects :
The result is not immediate but becomes visible 7 to 10 days after the injection.
In fact, right after the procedure, the lips are swollen, and the appearance is not yet natural.
Lip volume is increased, the border is defined, and the Cupid’s bow is enhanced.
Hyaluronic acid hydrates and plumps the lips, giving them a younger, more attractive appearance.
Results typically last between six and twelve months. After this period, maintenance sessions can be scheduled to preserve the effect.
Generally, the first injection lasts about six months, the second eight to ten months, and then up to a year.
This non-invasive procedure enhances the lips while respecting the harmony of the face. It is a safe and effective aesthetic solution for patients who wish to beautify their lips and smile.
To better understand your expectations and make an aesthetic diagnosis, doctor Valeria Romano welcomes you for a consultation at her practice in Geneva. During this consultation, the doctor will determine the most suitable procedure to correct the identified concerns and provide a quote for the cost of lip augmentation.
| Type of consultation | Generally practiced rates |
|---|---|
|
Hyaluronic acid for
|
650 CHF per syringe |
Patient reviews on lip injections for augmentation and contouring vary, but the overall sentiment is positive. Many patients appreciate the ability to redefine the lip border and achieve better definition thanks to hyaluronic acid, which is valued for its ability to provide volume in a natural and reversible way. Patients report that the procedure is quick, with visible results shortly afterward — either subtle or more pronounced depending on their preference.
Overall, lip injection is considered an effective method for enhancing the lips while maintaining their softness and a natural appearance.
“Duck lips” is a common concern for patients considering lip injections. This exaggerated effect can occur if the injection is poorly performed — wrong product, excessive volume, improper injection plan (injection too deep causing lip eversion), or poor indication.
To avoid this outcome, it is essential to consult an experienced doctor who understands your goals and masters the anatomy and technique.
Natural lip enhancement is possible but temporary, and the results are not comparable to those of hyaluronic acid injections.
Cinnamon or menthol are known to improve lip volume temporarily.
After hyaluronic acid injections in the lips, it is generally advisable not to massage the area, unless otherwise instructed by your doctor. Massaging could displace the product and compromise the result.
There is no real way of making the result last longer. In fact, the lifespan of the product depends on the patient's metabolism. It is advisable to keep the lips well moisturised and to avoid repeated contractions of the orbicularis muscle of the lips (avoid smoking, for example).
From the age of 18, but it is from the age of 25 that this procedure is often carried out.
It is recommended that you wait eight months between your first and second injections. For the third and subsequent injections, the period between two injections is twelve months.
If a significant increase in volume is required, two syringes are often injected, with a two-month delay between the two syringes.
The application of certain hyaluronic acid-based moisturisers increases lip volume. The result lasts a few hours.
It is best to wait 24 to 48 hours after the injection.
Hyaluronic acid and botox are two substances used in aesthetic medicine to improve the appearance of the lips, but they act in different ways. Hyaluronic acid is used to treat lip wrinkles and add volume to the lips. Botox works by relaxing the muscles responsible for wrinkles around the mouth.
Lip injection is an aesthetic medicine procedure in which a filling agent, hyaluronic acid, is used to increase volume, define contours and improve the shape of the lips.
Anyone wishing to improve the shape, volume or definition of their lips may be a good candidate. Patients should have no contraindications to hyaluronic acid injections.
Yes, it gradually wears off over 6 to 12 months.
Lips become thinner with age as collagen and elastin production decreases over time and fat is reabsorbed.
The main techniques are the "Russian Lips", the volumizing technique (overall increase in lip volume) and the contouring technique (definition of the lip contour).
The injections are slightly painful, but the procedure is very quick, lasting just a few minutes. Dr Romano prefers not to apply an anaesthetic cream for this injection.
Yes, lip injections can be combined with other aesthetic treatments such as Botox and fillers.
It's not possible to plump up lips naturally, but here are a few tips to improve their tone and surface hydration.
Before a session of hyaluronic acid injections in the lips, it is advisable to avoid taking aspirin or anti-inflammatory drugs, or certain food supplements that increase bleeding. After the session, it is advisable not to massage the treated area, to avoid exposure to the sun and to avoid smoking for two days.
Thin lips can be genetic or linked to ageing.
If the injection is carried out by an experienced doctor, the procedure is risk-free. Injections carried out by a non-physician or a doctor who is not trained in this procedure can cause necrosis of the lips and infections.
It is crucial to choose a qualified, experienced and certified doctor to carry out lip injections. It is important to find out about the reputation, seniority, experience and number of aesthetic procedures carried out.
You need to have a good rapport and feel confident with the doctor you choose.
The contour of the lips can be redefined using hyaluronic acid injections. This technique offers a rapid, non-invasive solution for obtaining defined, more symmetrical lips.
The main difference between hyaluronic acid injections and implants lies in the nature and durability of the treatment. Injections are temporary, reversible and it is possible to adjust the volume and shape of the lips according to the patient's preferences. Implants are a permanent solution requiring surgery, with potentially higher risks and complications. The final result is determined by the shape of the implant, so it cannot be adjusted according to the patient's wishes.
Yes, lip injections using hyaluronic acid are reversible. The product is resorbable and can also be dissolved.
Smoking is not recommended for the first two days after lip injection, as it can increase the risk of infection. Smoking can also cause blood vessels to contract, which can alter the result and lead to complications.
If the injections have been carried out correctly, they have not altered the lips, so once the product has been absorbed, the lips will regain their original shape and volume.
The use of non-absorbable products is prohibited because of the side-effects they can cause.
Les implants labiaux, tels que les implants Permalip, sont la méthode d’augmentation des lèvres qui dure le plus longtemps, car ils sont permanents. Ces implants sont posés par un chirurgien. Les injections d’acide hyaluronique lèvres durent de 6 à 12 mois, mais elles sont moins invasives
To give the lips greater volume, two syringes of hyaluronic acid can be injected, but not in the same session. There should be an interval of two months between injections.
The Permalip implant is a soft, permanent silicone implant inserted surgically to augment the lips.
Les injections d’acide hyaluronique dans les lèvres sont sûres lorsqu’elles sont réalisées par un médecin expérimenté.
The only product authorised for lips is hyaluronic acid.
To avoid an artificial result with lip injections, it is essential to choose an experienced practitioner.
Yes, that's possible.
Il est généralement déconseillé de masser les lèvres après des injections d’acide hyaluronique sauf si votre médecin vous le conseille.
After the lip injection, it is recommended to use a soothing and moisturising cream, often hyaluronic acid-based, to help reduce inflammation and maintain hydration.
Yes, but it is advisable to wait at least 24 hours to avoid any risk of irritation.
It is advisable to wait at least 24 to 48 hours before wearing lipstick.
It is normal for the lips to be more swollen in the morning because lying down while sleeping encourages water retention.
It is possible to eat immediately afterwards, but for your comfort it is advisable to wait about an hour until the numbness caused by the anaesthetic has worn off.
You can assume any position you like, the product will not move.
No, pregnancy and breast-feeding are contraindications to hyaluronic acid injections.
The lips generally begin to deflate 48 to 72 hours after the injection. The swelling disappears completely within one to two weeks, depending on individual reactivity.
To reduce swelling after a lip-filling injection, it is advisable to apply cold compresses to the treated area and to take the medication prescribed by your doctor.
lip injections are generally reserved for adults. However, with parental consent and medical advice, they can be performed at the age of 17.
The services described on this website apply to Swiss territory; there are differences between countries.
Contact
Dr Valeria Romano
Pl. du Molard 5, 1204 Geneva, Switzerland
Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 6pm
Dr Valeria Romano - All rights reserved.
