The first time I decided I was going to get lip filler was after a friend of mine sent a photo of Kendall Jenner [1] to a group chat on Instagram. It didn't take long for a flurry of messages to come in commenting on her lips. To me, they were plush and perfect; to my friends, they were "too much." "Can't people just be happy with how they look and be natural?" one friend asked. I suddenly felt defencive over a celebrity I never met — one who, for the record, has never confirmed nor denied getting lip filler before. To be fair, I've contemplated what my lips might look like with the help of injectables for years, but it wasn't until I found myself arguing for the supermodel and her decisions did I realise, maybe it's finally time to try them.

A week later, I booked my appointment with Melissa Doft, M.D. [2], a plastic surgeon in New York City. Although I, and Dr. Doft, suggest doing research before choosing the physician for your injectables, mine was a unique case. Dr. Doft is the woman responsible for my breast reduction surgery in 2018. As far as bedside manner goes, Dr. Doft has the best, so trusting her with my lips was a no-brainer. Now, it's officially been a month since first getting my lip filler and, well, I'm definitely on the bandwagon.

I'm not recommending anyone get the cosmetic treatment because, frankly, you don't need them, but boy did I want them — and it was totally worth it. Just in case you are curious, Dr. Doft answered every question you need to know before getting lip injections, ahead. Then keep clicking for my personal take on the process (spoiler: I have a hot tip to reduce bruising).

What Are Lip Fillers?

"Most doctors in the US use hyaluronic acid dermal fillers to help plump or define the lips," said Dr. Doft. "Hyaluronic acid is a sugar that is able to absorb 1,000 times its weight in water leading to a hydrating and plumping effect."

If the ingredient sounds familiar, it should; it's a naturally occurring molecule in your skin, which also makes it well-tolerable so you don't have to worry about allergic reactions. Hyaluronic acid, in a few different forms, is the standard for lip injections with several brands being FDA-approved [3], like Restylane Silk and Juvéderm. As far as knowing which brand is right for you, your doctor will use their discretion to choose.

"I favour smaller particle hyaluronic acid fillers, like Juvaderm, Vobella, Restalyne Refyne, or Belatero," Dr. Doft explained. " The smaller particle size allows me to inject closer to the surface of the lip to create definition." She adds that smaller particles are less likely to create bumps in the patient's lips (more on that later).

How Should I Prepare For My Lip Filler Appointment?

Luckily, there's not a whole lot you have to do to prepare for the actual appointment. However, Dr. Doft had one suggestion: "I ask patients to avoid medicines that can increase bruising for one week [before their appointment]." (Think: aspirin, Motrin, Advil, and Ibuprofen.) If you take fish oil supplements or vitamins, consider avoiding those for a week, too, to avoid bruising.

Are Lip Injections Painful?

Pain is subjective and usually dependent on your personal tolerance, but most people will say getting lip injections is an uncomfortable process. After all, it is a needle going into your lips. In some cases, most people find the process more painful after the fact during the week-long recovery due to soreness and swelling. With 1 million nerves in your lip, the potential to feel some discomfort is real; however Dr. Doft said she applies a very strong topical numbing cream onto the lips beforehand to reduce the pain.

How Long Do Lip Fillers Last?

Lip fillers can last from six to 12 months. Dr. Doft noted that most of her patients return every six months, but that she tends to inject less volume at the second appointment (and so on) for a more natural appearance.

Can Lip Filler Be Removed?

Yes, you can remove lip filler [4]. (Kylie Jenner has done it before.) Dr. Doft said that it's a matter of dissolving the hyaluronic acid, which for the record, is temporary to begin with, with an enzyme called hyaluronidase. This also has to be injected into your lips in order for the filler to be "removed." The lips are well innervated, so getting lip filler removed isn't necessarily a fun experience. Some people with high thresholds for pain consider it incredibly uncomfortable, but again, this is all subjective.

What Should I Expect the Day After Getting Lip Injections?

"The down time is related to swelling and bruising," Dr. Doft said. "Most patients find they experience swelling during the first three to seven days." Bruising can occur, too, but usually resolves within a week. While Dr. Doft assured me that most patients don't need an anti-inflammatory post-injections, she does recommend eating pineapple or taking Arnica montana — both can reduce bruising. Additionally, lips will feel a little tender and hard after the injections, but as the hyaluronic acid absorbs water the lips will soften and feel normal again.

How To Find the Right Doctor

Research and consultations are key. "Look at the physician and make sure that they have a similar aesthetic to yours," Dr. Doft suggested, adding that many physicians have before and after photos or reviews online that you can check out. While Instagram is a new way to find a doctor for you, it's still important to book an in-person consultation before committing to your decision. Another helpful tip is asking a friend. If you know someone who has lip injections you admire, consider asking them for a recommendation. Just be sure that whoever you do choose is a medical professional and not an unlicenced person at a medispa you found on Groupon.

How Much Does Lip Filler Cost?

According to Dr. Doft, the cost depends on the amount of filler injected and, often, who is injecting them. "Doctors will often charge more than nurses or physician assistants, but the type of filler can also affect cost," she said. "Most physicians up charge for only the brand Voluma, which is used for the cheeks and not the lips." The price is also regionally dependent, so in New York lip injections can cost anywhere between $500 to $1,000. Go anywhere else in the country and it'll be about the same price, likely never exceeding $2,000.

Before Lip Filler

This was about a week before I got my lip injections. My upper lip was my biggest point of concern: it was shaped like an upside down W and when I smiled it would usually disappear entirely.

During Lip Filler Appointment

This is me with numbing cream on my lips, and there are few sensations as bizarre as having your lips numbed. Prepare to drool and, whatever you do, don't swallow any of the cream if it gets into your mouth (I learned this the hard way and, soon enough, my tongue was completely numb for about 45 minutes). Try your best to wait until your doctor thoroughly cleanses your lips of the numbing cream and spit it out.

Immediately After Lip Injections

Dr. Doft was very careful at making sure my lips looked natural, even with the injections. So, instead she started off with only injecting about half of a syringe at the first appointment. Unlike other cosmetic procedures (like Botox) the results are relatively immediate. Dr. Doft spent an equal amount of time injecting my upper lip first, then my bottom lip last, constantly pulling back to make sure everything was even and balanced. After about 15 to 20 minutes, this was the result.

One Hour After Lip Injections

Dr. Doft informed me during the appointment that the brand she was using on my lips (Volbella) also included some lidocaine, a numbing agent, to further diffuse any discomfort. As far as pain went, I felt every puncture of the needle. This, I suspect, is because I drooled and licked a lot of the numbing cream off my lips initially. Even still, the pain was worth it and only momentary. In fact, I'd describe the similar pinching sensation to that of getting an extraction from an esthetician during a facial.

Two Days After Lip Injections

Recovery for the first round of lip injections was easier than expected. Dr. Doft gave me an ice pack to soothe the area from swelling immediately after and almost no bruising occurred. Although my lip size fluctuated for days, I knew about 48 hours after my appointment that I was ready for more filler. The goal: to add more volume to the outer corners of the upper lip so they looked plush vs. pouty.

Two Weeks After Lip Injections

Like Dr. Doft said, it could take a little less than week for the lips to fully heal. While my lips were definitely bigger, I knew I wanted to even out some of the volume with a second round of injections and booked my next appointment with Dr. Doft.

After Second Round of Lip Injections

For my second appointment, I brought inspiration images. Dr. Doft co-signed this and said that giving your doctor a clear idea of what you want will help you two collaborate to get the results you both agree are best. This time around, Dr. Doft only injected less than half a syringe into my upper and lower lips. Between both appointments, she used one full syringe (1 cc) for the injections.

One Day After a Second Round of Lip Injections

By the next morning, my bottom lip was significantly bruised, but I was in zero pain or discomfort. My lip size didn't fluctuate nearly as much as the first round of filler. The swelling went down quickly (within 48 hours) and I was left with what my lip size was expected to be for the remaining months. Note: your lips might feel dehydrated after lip injections, at least mine did. While some people actually find that, in the winter months, filler boosts moisture retention, I found that the filler made my lips incredibly dry. Luckily, the side effect was only a short phase of recovery. As if I had let my lips soak in BabyFoot, the skin peeled for a few days before going back to normal. Now, I wake up every morning with perfectly soft lips.

Bruising After Lip Injections

Before leaving my second filler appointment, Dr. Doft warned me about my bottom lip bruising. She had predicted it might considering how much the specific are hurt during the injections. Less than 12 hours later, my bottom lip had two dark purple spots surfacing, so I called in backup: the Alastin INhance Post-Injection Serum [5]. Even though you're meant to use the entire tube (applying the cooling cream four times a day), I noticed a significant decrease in the bruising within two days and, since the bruised areas were so small, I only needed a pea-size dot on each spot. I guess that means I have enough left to use for my touch-up appointment in six months . . .

Two Weeks After Lip Injections

It's almost been a month since my first lip filler appointment and my lips are exactly as I imagined; maybe even better. Now that the bruising, swelling, and peeling phase is completely over I am noticing a few tiny bumps on the inside of my lip (nearly undetectable to the naked eye). Dr. Doft said this is a normal side effect of lip filler. "Sometimes when the hyaluronic acid is injected it can clump and form a little bump," she explained. "These bumps can usually be easily massaged so that they flatten." Even so, I've never felt more confident than with my new cloud lips. So, yes, the hype is real.