Does Lip Filler Hurt? What It Actually Feels Like

Short answer: a bit, for about fifteen minutes, and far less than most people expect. It is the question we get asked more than any other about lip fillers, so here is what it actually feels like at our Whickham clinic in Newcastle.

What you feel on the day

We clean the lips and apply a numbing cream, which sits for around twenty minutes. The filler itself contains a local anaesthetic, so the area goes numb further as the treatment goes on. What you feel is a sharp pinch as the needle goes in, then pressure as the gel is placed. The top lip and the corners of the mouth are the most sensitive spots. Most people describe it as uncomfortable rather than painful, and the whole thing is over in fifteen to twenty minutes.

If you are nervous, say so. We can take it slower, talk you through each injection and stop for a breather.

What you feel afterwards

Lips swell. That is normal and it peaks over the first two or three days, when they will look fuller than the finished result. They can feel tender, tight or a little bruised for a few days, and small lumps you can feel but not see usually settle within a week or two. Paracetamol is fine if you need it. We ask you to avoid alcohol, hot drinks, heavy exercise and lip products for the first 24 hours.

Things that make it hurt more

• Booking the week before your period, when lips are more sensitive
• Alcohol the night before, which also makes bruising worse
• Skipping the numbing cream to save time
• Very cold lips, so we keep the room warm

Things that make it hurt less

A practitioner who works slowly, a product with anaesthetic in it, and a cold pack afterwards. All three are standard here. Treatment is carried out by our medically led team and every injectable treatment is prescriber-led, so you are assessed properly before anyone picks up a syringe.

Is it worth it?

For most clients, yes. The discomfort is short and the result lasts six to twelve months. Lip filler is £250 per session at RT Aesthetics, booked after a £25 consultation, which is non-refundable because it includes the prescriber assessment. The full detail, including who should not have it, is on our lip fillers Newcastle page, and prices for every area are on the dermal fillers page.

Book your consultation and we will show you what a natural result looks like before you decide.