First lip filler: how much, how long it lasts, swelling and risks
Prices as of 24.10.2026
Lip filler swelling day by day
Tap a point on the scale.
Day 1
Lips are swollen and may look bigger than the final result. Swelling can be uneven, injection points tender, a bruise possible. Cold compress through a clean cloth, with breaks; no massaging.
Days 2–3
Swelling starts to go down. Filler may feel firm or lumpy; a bruise may turn yellowish. No sauna, hot bath or intense exercise for 48 hours.
Day 7
Most swelling has gone; the shape is close to final. A small bruise may still show. If one side looks clearly different, watch it.
Day 14
Swelling and bruising have usually gone and the shape has settled. A good time to assess the result and, if needed, arrange a touch-up.
Months 6–12
The filler fades gradually. In studies, fullness was still improved in about three in four participants at 6 months and about half at 12 months.
How much lip filler the first time: 0.5 ml or 1 ml?
The specialist decides the exact amount after assessing your lips and face.
About 0.5 ml
A defined outline, subtle fullness, slight asymmetry evened out. For lips that are already fairly full.
About 1 ml
Noticeable but natural volume in both lips. For thinner lips and a wish for visible fullness.
More than 1 ml
A bigger change. Usually built up over several visits, not at the first one.
Too little?
More can be added once swelling settles, after about 2 weeks.
Too much?
The excess is removed with a separate dissolving treatment — hyaluronidase.
Lip filler aftercare: what to avoid and when
Choose how much time has passed.
Avoid
- Touching, massaging or pressing the lips
Fine
- A cold compress with breaks, if needed
- Back to work, usually the same day
Avoid
- Make-up and lipstick
- Kissing and firm pressure on the lips
Fine
- Keep the lips clean
Avoid
- Sauna and hot baths
- Intense exercise
Fine
- SPF 50 outdoors
Not yet
- New filler or other treatments in the same areaOnly when agreed with the specialist
- Judging the shape too earlyAsymmetry in the first days is usually swelling
Fine
- Assess the result, follow-up visit if needed
Lip filler side effects: normal or urgent?
Rare but serious: filler entering a blood vessel. The lips have their own arteries.
Common
- swelling — peaks on day 1–2
- tenderness to the touch — a few days
- bruising and redness
- settle without treatment
Less common
- asymmetry or a lump that stays after swelling
- filler migration beyond the lip border
- cold sore flare-up (≈0.6%), allergic swelling (≈0.3%)
- delayed inflammation — weeks or months later
Tell the clinic
Urgent: signs of a blocked vessel
- unusual pain during or shortly after treatment
- skin near the injection white, grey or blue
- vision changes
- difficulty speaking, drooping face, weak arm or leg
Tell the clinic at once; vision or speech — 112
Planning an event?
Wedding, holiday, photo shoot — pick how long you have until the event.
In more detail
Lip contouring or lip augmentation: is it the same?
Yes: both mean hyaluronic acid filler in the lips; the goal and amount differ. For the outline, a smaller amount goes along the lip border; for volume, into the red part of the lip.
For dry, cracked lips or fine lines without added volume, one option is lip biorevitalisation: micro-doses of pure hyaluronic acid hydrate without enlarging. About 20–30 minutes, usually 2–3 sessions 3–4 weeks apart, lasting about 2–4 months.
Hyaluronidase: how lip filler is dissolved
Hyaluronidase is an enzyme that breaks down hyaluronic acid. It is used for an unnatural result, asymmetry, a lump or migration, or to clear old filler before a new treatment. For a blocked vessel it is emergency treatment at a high dose.
It works only on hyaluronic acid fillers; the effect shows within 2–7 days, and a large amount may need a repeat. Allergies, especially to bee venom, are checked first. New filler waits at least 2 weeks. At Melior this is a separate treatment, filler dissolving.
How to prepare and what happens at the appointment
No alcohol or intense workouts for 24–48 hours before, no peels or laser in the area for 7 days. Blood thinners and supplements are mentioned to the specialist; medicines prescribed by your doctor are not stopped on your own.
The treatment takes about 30–45 minutes, with numbing gel if needed. Filler is placed with a fine needle or a blunt-tipped cannula.
Who should not have lip filler
Not during pregnancy or breastfeeding, a cold sore flare-up, lip inflammation or infection, acute illness or fever, or with an allergy to filler ingredients (hyaluronic acid, lidocaine) or active autoimmune disease. Bleeding disorders and blood thinners are assessed individually. The specialist decides.
Hyaluron pens and fillers bought online
The FDA warns that needle-free devices (hyaluron pens) are not approved for injecting fillers, and that fillers bought online may be fake or contaminated.
Frequently asked questions
Is 0.5 ml or 1 ml better for a first lip filler?
0.5–1 ml is often enough the first time. A smaller amount defines the outline, 1 ml gives more visible volume. More can be added after about 2 weeks; the specialist decides.
Does lip filler hurt?
The lips are sensitive, but most patients find it tolerable. Numbing gel is used if needed, and many fillers contain lidocaine. Tenderness can last a few days.
How long does lip filler last the first time?
Usually 6–12 months, depending on the product, amount and metabolism; for some products used at Melior, up to 18 months. The result is not permanent.
How long does lip filler swelling last?
Usually 2–5 days, peaking on day 1–2; the lips settle fully within about 2 weeks. Sharply worsening swelling with severe pain or skin colour change is not typical — tell the clinic at once.
How much does lip filler cost in Tallinn?
At Melior Clinics, from €275 to €365 depending on the product, for a 1–1.1 ml syringe (price list of 24.10.2026). Filler dissolving is €55–120.
Can lip filler be dissolved?
Yes, with hyaluronidase. The effect usually shows within 2–7 days; a repeat is sometimes needed, and new filler is placed no sooner than 2 weeks later.
How long before an event should I get lip filler?
At least 2 weeks before. That usually gives swelling and any bruising time to settle and leaves room for a touch-up if needed.
Lip filler in Tallinn
Read next
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Dermal Fillers (Soft Tissue Fillers)
- American Academy of Dermatology (AAD): Fillers: FAQs
- Czumbel LM, Farkasdi S, Gede N et al. Hyaluronic Acid Is an Effective Dermal Filler for Lip Augmentation: A Meta-Analysis. Front Surg. 2021;8:681028 (PubMed)
- Kroumpouzos G, Treacy P. Hyaluronidase for Dermal Filler Complications: Review of Applications and Dosage Recommendations. JMIR Dermatol. 2024;7:e50403 (PubMed)
This article is general information and does not replace a consultation. Whether a treatment suits you is decided by a specialist at the consultation. Melior Clinics (Star Company OÜ), Liivalaia 53, Tallinn · Estonian Health Board licence L04198.
