Hyaluronic Acid Lip Injections: Procedure and Results in Tel Aviv

Introduction

Hyaluronic acid lip injections are among the most requested aesthetic medicine procedures, both in Tel Aviv and internationally. This non-surgical procedure can improve the appearance of the mouth, whether the goal is to increase volume, redefine the contours, or correct a subtle asymmetry. The use of hyaluronic acid fillers to enhance lip features is a popular, minimally invasive procedure, valued for its favourable safety profile when performed by an experienced physician.

Choosing the amount of product (0.5 ml or 1 ml), the level of comfort during the session, how long the result lasts, and the precautions to take all raise legitimate questions. This article details every step of the procedure, from the initial consultation to how the result evolves, to help guide your decision.

Hyaluronic acid injections: a solution tailored to several needs

This non-surgical procedure can increase lip volume, redefine their contour, or even fill in certain lines and fine lines around the lip, using hyaluronic acid, a substance naturally present in the skin. Over time, our bodies gradually lose hyaluronic acid, which can lead to a loss of volume, definition and hydration in the lips.

Hyaluronic acid is used to provide hydration, redefine certain contours and increase lip volume, according to a goal defined together with your practitioner. The guiding principle remains to achieve a harmonious result, respecting the natural proportions of the face rather than an artificial volume.

Discover our dedicated page to fully understand the properties and uses of this molecule.

How a lip injection session unfolds

Preliminary consultation

A hyaluronic acid injection session always starts with a consultation with a physician specialised in aesthetic medicine. During this discussion, Dr Mergui analyses your facial morphology, assesses the anatomy of your lips (initial volume, symmetry, ratio between the upper and lower lip), and discusses your expectations.

This step also checks for the absence of contraindications (pregnancy, breastfeeding, allergy, active infection, coagulation disorders) and explains the protocol, the choice of product, the usual after-effects, and the potential risks.

Preparing the area and applying the anaesthetic

A topical anaesthetic cream (a eutectic mixture of 5% lidocaine and prilocaine) is applied for 20 minutes under occlusion, then the areas to be treated are made aseptic with chlorhexidine before the injection. This careful preparation aims to limit discomfort and reduce the risk of infection.

Many hyaluronic acid products also contain lidocaine within the gel itself, which further enhances the anaesthetic effect during the injection.

The injection itself

Medical providers first apply a numbing cream to the patient's lips. Once it has taken effect, the provider uses a fine needle or a fine cannula to inject the hyaluronic acid. Depending on the patient's goals, the injection is placed within the body of the lips, along the lip line, or just above the lip, and often in several areas to ensure symmetry.

The technique involves inserting a 27-gauge needle at the lateral edge of the lower lip, tunnelling along the vermilion border to the midpoint of the lower lip, and injecting the filler using a linear retrograde technique. For the upper lip, emphasis is often placed on defining the Cupid's bow and the vermilion border.

After withdrawing the needle, the medical provider gently massages the area and observes the patient for a few minutes to ensure the results match expectations.

The whole process takes about 30 to 45 minutes, making it a quick procedure that can be performed during an office visit.

Comfort and tolerability during the procedure

Many patients agree that there is little pain beyond a feeling of pressure and a slight pinch. The procedure is generally well tolerated thanks to the topical anaesthesia and the lidocaine contained in the product. Some people may feel increased sensitivity, but the discomfort remains limited and short-lived.

It is important to report any intense or unusual pain during the injection, as this could indicate a rare issue (such as vascular compression) that requires immediate attention.

Choosing between 0.5 ml and 1 ml: how much for what result?

0.5 ml injection: subtlety and a natural look

0.5 ml of lip filler is ideal for those seeking a subtle improvement, focusing on a natural look by adding definition and a slight increase in volume. It is often recommended for first-time clients or those with naturally thinner lips who want to try it without a dramatic change.

With 0.5 ml, you may notice that fine lines have softened and that there is more definition around the lip border. You should also notice a slight increase in volume, adding to the natural shape of your lips. This gradual approach makes it possible to evaluate the result and decide, at a later session, whether a top-up is desirable.

1 ml injection: a more noticeable volume

1 ml of lip filler offers more noticeable volume and contour, making it a better option for people wanting fuller, plumper lips or aiming to correct an asymmetry. This amount, corresponding to a full syringe, nevertheless remains measured and suited to most facial shapes.

On the other hand, 1 ml of lip filler gives plumper, fuller lips with a more noticeable increase in volume, perfect for a more clearly defined lip-shape transformation. The goal remains a harmonious result: this is not about creating an artificial effect, but about respecting the proportions of the face.

The right volume depends on the lips' natural anatomy, their current volume, facial proportions, and whether it is a first treatment or a follow-up session. Each case is unique.

A gradual, personalised approach

If you want a discreet first step, 0.5 ml is generally the right starting point. If you are looking for a visible yet natural improvement, or restoring lost volume, 1 ml is often appropriate. Many patients get the best results with a gradual approach: starting conservatively, reassessing at two weeks, and adding more only if needed.

Dr Mergui offers a personalised assessment during the consultation to determine the strategy best suited to your anatomy and your wishes.

Immediate result and how it evolves over time

Immediate post-injection appearance

The natural immediate result is generally visible right after the injection session, even though slight inflammation may appear for a few days. It is visible at the clinic, right after the hyaluronic acid injection. A few days are needed to appreciate the final result.

Swelling and resolution of the oedema

Swelling peaks within 24 to 48 hours and generally resolves within one to two weeks. It is important not to confuse this post-traumatic swelling with the presence of the product itself: the oedema subsides, but the hyaluronic acid remains in place.

Immediately after the procedure, the lips appear swollen. This is post-traumatic oedema, a normal reaction. This swelling after lip injections decreases over roughly 3 to 10 days. During this period, it is recommended to avoid intense physical activity, prolonged exposure to heat (sauna, steam room, sun), alcohol, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (unless medically advised otherwise), as these can encourage bruising.

Stabilised final result

The product settles and fully integrates into the tissue within a few days. By the end of the session, your lips are already plumper, but the final result is optimal 10 days after the procedure. That is how long the body needs to fully absorb the hyaluronic acid.

At this stage, the volume is harmoniously distributed, the contours are redefined, and the natural effect can be fully appreciated.

How long results last: a factor that varies by patient

The effects of a hyaluronic acid lip injection generally last between 6 and 12 months. Several factors influence this duration:

• Individual metabolism: In some people, the result fades after about six months. Others keep a nice effect beyond a year. Every body metabolises hyaluronic acid differently.
• Mobility of the area: Highly mobile areas undergo faster resorption. Very mobile regions of the face, such as the lips, metabolise hyaluronic acid faster than less-solicited areas like the cheekbones.
• Type of product: A fluid gel hydrates and smooths, but disappears faster. A denser gel provides more volume and lasts longer.
• Lifestyle factors: smoking, intense sun exposure, insufficient hydration and stress can all speed up the breakdown of the product.

Regular maintenance sessions help maintain the result over time, often using smaller amounts than the initial injection.

Learn more about the other aesthetic medicine techniques available at the clinic.

Common side effects and rare complications

Usual, temporary reactions

Most side effects of lip fillers are normal and temporary, including swelling, bruising, redness, tenderness and small bumps at the injection sites. Soft tissue fillers are generally well tolerated and major adverse events are rare. Mild side effects typically include limited, temporary swelling, bruising, pain and erythema.

Among the most common side effects of lip injections are temporary swelling and bruising. This is a natural response to needle punctures and the introduction of filler material. These reactions fade on their own within a few days.

Rarer complications to watch for

More serious complications include infection, nodule formation, vascular occlusion and pigmentation changes. Nodule formation can be characterised as early or late (4 weeks or more post-injection). The incidence of late-onset nodules is rare, estimated at 0.1 to 1.0%.

Reported adverse events consisted of tenderness, swelling at the injection site and bruising. Rare adverse events led to foreign-body granulomas, cold sores and angioedema.

In case of intense pain, a change in lip colour (white, blue, purple), a feeling of cold, or any other unusual symptom, it is essential to contact your doctor immediately. Dermal fillers in the lips and perioral area are considered low risk, but rare cases of localised skin necrosis are possible. In such a case, if symptoms of occlusion, intense pain or purple patches appear during the injection, hyaluronidase (FDA-approved for necrosis caused by vascular occlusion) will be available on site.

Formal contraindications

The product is contraindicated for patients with severe allergies evidenced by a history of anaphylaxis or multiple severe allergies, contains traces of gram-positive bacterial proteins and is contraindicated for patients with a history of allergies to such materials, and is contraindicated for patients with coagulation disorders.

Pregnant or breastfeeding women. Presence of an active skin infection around the lips. Known allergies to the components of the hyaluronic acid used are also formal contraindications.

Reversibility of the procedure: a safety advantage

In most cases, the effects of lip injections are reversible. If a patient is unhappy with the results, they can opt to have the filler dissolved. If you are unhappy with the result of the injection, a doctor can fully reverse a hyaluronic acid lip enhancement by injecting the enzyme hyaluronidase into the lips. Hyaluronidase dissolves hyaluronic acid within 24 hours.

This possibility of reversing the treatment provides an extra layer of safety and flexibility in managing the aesthetic outcome.

Key takeaway: Hyaluronic acid lip injections are a proven, generally well-tolerated technique, offering a result that is quickly visible and adjustable to your expectations. Choosing between 0.5 and 1 ml, the quality of the medical technique, and respecting contraindications are essential for a natural, safe result. The duration of the result varies from person to person, averaging 6 to 12 months, and can be extended with regular touch-ups.

In short

• Quick procedure: a session lasts on average 30 to 45 minutes at the clinic, with a numbing cream applied beforehand to improve comfort.
• Choice of volume: 0.5 ml for a subtle, gradual result, 1 ml for a more noticeable volume while keeping a natural look.
• Tolerability: the procedure is generally well tolerated thanks to topical anaesthesia and the lidocaine built into the product; discomfort is limited to pressure or a slight pinch.
• Immediate result: volume is visible right at the end of the session, but physiological oedema persists for 3 to 10 days before the final result can be appreciated within 10 to 14 days.
• Variable duration: effects last on average 6 to 12 months depending on individual metabolism, the mobility of the area, and the type of product used.
• Common side effects: swelling, redness, tenderness and small bruises, temporary and resolving within one to two weeks.
• Rare complications: infection, nodules, vascular occlusion, hence the importance of consulting an experienced physician and having access to hyaluronidase if needed.
• Contraindications: pregnancy, breastfeeding, allergy to components, coagulation disorders, active infection or inflammation.
• Reversibility: hyaluronic acid can be dissolved with hyaluronidase within 24 to 48 hours in case of dissatisfaction or complication.
• Personalised follow-up: a preliminary consultation allows the technique, volume and product to be tailored to your anatomy and goals.

Browse our other laser and aesthetic treatments to discover the full range of solutions offered at the clinic.

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Considering a hyaluronic acid lip injection in Tel Aviv? Dr Dylan Mergui welcomes you at 8A Frishman Street for a personalised consultation. Together, you will define the protocol best suited to your expectations and your anatomy. Book an appointment now via our contact page or by phone at +972 51 591 2251.

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This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace an individual medical consultation. Only a qualified physician can assess your personal situation, make a diagnosis and recommend suitable treatment. The results of aesthetic procedures vary from patient to patient.