Lip Filler Before and After: Swelling, Results and Aftercare

Right after lip filler, your lips look swollen and overfull. Swelling peaks on days 2–3, settles over the first week, and your final result shows at about 2 weeks. At Desert Bloom in Scottsdale, lip filler results typically last 6–12 months, and one syringe of Revanesse Versa costs $500.

Lip filler is an injectable hyaluronic acid gel that adds volume, shape and definition to your lips without surgery. Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance in the body’s soft tissue that binds water, so the gel feels soft and smooth. Dr. Natalya Borakowski performs every lip augmentation at Desert Bloom herself.

How should you prepare for lip filler?

Your first visit is a complimentary consultation, and the filler itself is done on a separate day. At the consultation Dr. Borakowski also checks for filler from the past 6 months, or older filler that has migrated and may need to be removed before anything new is added.

In the days before treatment:

• Stop fish oil, aspirin and other blood-thinning supplements several days ahead if you can, because they increase bruising. If a doctor prescribed aspirin or a blood thinner for you, ask that doctor before you stop it.
• Avoid smoking for several days around your treatment, since it can interfere with healing and circulation.
• Tell Dr. Borakowski if you get cold sores. She may prescribe an antiviral beforehand.
• Postpone treatment if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have an active cold sore or infection near your mouth.

Lip filler at Desert Bloom is for healthy adults aged 21 or older who want fuller lips, a more defined border or better symmetry.

What happens during your lip filler appointment?

Extra-strength numbing cream goes on 45 minutes before treatment, and the filler itself contains lidocaine. Most people feel mild pressure rather than pain. Dr. Borakowski then places the filler with a fine needle or a cannula, which takes 15–30 minutes. A fine needle allows precise placement at the lip and cupid’s bow. A cannula lowers the risk of bruising when she adds volume to the body of the lips.

What do your lips look like day by day after filler?

Swelling is the main thing you will notice in the first week. The usual pattern at Desert Bloom looks like this.

• Straight after treatment. Your lips look overfull. Swelling, redness, mild tenderness and some bruising are normal.
• The first day or two. Redness and tenderness at the injection sites start to ease. Fine lines around your mouth can look more visible while your lips are swollen.
• Days 2–3. Swelling reaches its peak. Your lips look their biggest now, and this is not your final result.
• The rest of the first week. Swelling goes down and bruising fades. Most people carry on with normal activities during this time.
• Week 2. The filler has settled into its final shape.

Most side effects clear within 7–14 days. Small lumps can happen and usually settle without any additional treatment. Avoid massaging your lips unless Dr. Borakowski advises it.

When will you see your final lip filler result?

Your final result shows at about 2 weeks, once the swelling has gone and the filler has settled. Judge your lips then rather than in the first few days.

If you want more fullness, Desert Bloom adds it gradually. You never receive more than one syringe in a session, and further sessions are spaced 6–9 months apart. People with naturally thin lips usually need 2–3 sessions to reach the result they want.

Not sure how much fullness suits your face? Book a consultation with Dr. Natalya Borakowski or call (480) 567-8180.

Which lip filler does Desert Bloom use?

Revanesse Versa is the main lip filler at Desert Bloom. It is an FDA-approved hyaluronic acid filler with lidocaine, and about 95% of Desert Bloom lip patients choose it. Dr. Borakowski recommends it for its gel density and consistently natural results. Revanesse Versa also tends to cause less swelling after treatment. Restylane Kysse is no longer used for lips at Desert Bloom.

Some people want a fuller look without filler. A lip flip uses Botox on the upper lip so that it rolls gently outward and looks fuller, without adding volume. A lip flip lasts about 12 weeks, the same as Botox in other areas.

Feature	Lip filler (Revanesse Versa)	Botox lip flip
What it does	Adds volume, shape and definition	Rolls the upper lip outward
Adds volume	Yes	No
Price at Desert Bloom	$500 per syringe	4–8 units of Botox, about $46–$92

How long does lip filler last?

Lip filler typically lasts 6–12 months, depending on the product, the amount used and your metabolism. Revanesse Versa usually lasts 8–12 months. Results are temporary by design, and most people book a maintenance treatment once a year to keep their look.

How much does lip filler cost at Desert Bloom?

Lip filler with Revanesse Versa is $500 per syringe at Desert Bloom, and the consultation is complimentary. Each session uses no more than one syringe. Current prices for all treatments are on the price list.

How does Desert Bloom keep lip filler results natural?

Dr. Borakowski’s approach to lips is natural-first. She assesses your lip shape and facial proportions, then measures and places the filler carefully to define the border, the corners and the cupid’s bow rather than overfill. Adding volume slowly over several sessions lets your tissue adapt and keeps your lips in proportion with your face.

She is also willing to say no. Some consultations end with clarity about timing, the right product or a different approach rather than with an injection.

Hyaluronic acid filler can often be adjusted or dissolved with hyaluronidase when it is clinically appropriate. If older filler has migrated or looks overdone, dermal filler removal can correct it. Dissolving lip filler usually needs one vial of Hylenex ($225) and no ultrasound, because lip filler sits close to the surface. New filler can be placed 2 or more weeks after dissolving.

What aftercare helps your lips heal?

First 24–48 hours

• Apply an ice pack wrapped in cloth, 3 minutes on and 3 minutes off, to reduce swelling.
• Stay upright and avoid bending or strenuous exercise, which can worsen swelling.
• Avoid straws and spicy foods.
• Avoid alcohol, which increases bruising.
• Do not touch or massage your lips unless Dr. Borakowski tells you to.

First week

• Avoid extreme heat such as saunas and hot tubs.
• Keep avoiding fish oil, aspirin and blood-thinning supplements.
• For tenderness, acetaminophen is appropriate if needed. Avoid aspirin and ibuprofen, which can increase bruising.
• Expect any redness or numbness near the injection sites to fade within a few days.

When to call Desert Bloom

Vascular occlusion is a rare but serious complication in which filler enters a blood vessel. The lips are one of the highest-risk areas, which is why Dr. Borakowski keeps hyaluronidase on hand at every lip appointment. Call straight away if you see white patches or blanching near the treated area. Seek emergency care without delay if your vision changes. Also call if swelling is severe after day 3 or you see signs of infection. If you are unsure, call (480) 567-8180.

Book your lip filler consultation in Scottsdale

Dr. Natalya Borakowski, NMD, founded Desert Bloom in Scottsdale in 2008 and has 18 years of experience in aesthetic medicine. At your complimentary consultation she looks at your lips and your whole face, explains what one syringe can achieve, and agrees on a plan with you before any treatment. Book a consultation or call (480) 567-8180.