Skip to main content

Lip Filler

Does your top lip disappear every time you smile? Or your lips have gotten thinner over the past few years, and you miss the way they used to look. Or you just want a little more fullness without looking like you had “something done.”

Angela Savage, RN, has been doing lip filler in Fresno for four years. She focuses on shape, symmetry, and proportion. Not volume for the sake of volume. If you want lips that look like yours but better, that’s exactly what she does.

Want Fuller Lips Without Looking Like You Had “Something Done”.
Lip Filler

What Lip Filler Is And How It Works

Lip filler is an injectable gel made from hyaluronic acid, which is a substance your body already produces. It sits naturally in your skin and joints. When a small amount of this gel is injected into the lips, it adds volume and structure from the inside.

The filler plumps the lip tissue and draws in moisture, giving the lips a soft, hydrated look. It also lets your injector shape the borders and define the cupid’s bow if you want more definition there.

Lip filler types we use at Savage Serenity

Not all dermal fillers are the same. The product your injector picks matters a lot, especially on the lips. Here are the products Angela works with for lip filler at our Fresno clinic:

RHA Collection (Resilient Hyaluronic Acid)

This is Angela’s go-to for most lip filler patients. RHA fillers are designed to stretch and bounce with your facial movements rather than sit stiffly within the tissue. That flexibility is a big deal.

Juvederm Ultra is one of the most well-known lip fillers on the market. It’s an Allergan product, FDA-approved specifically for lip augmentation. It gives a plush, full result and works well for patients who want noticeable volume.

Juvederm Volbella is a thinner version of the same product family. Angela reaches for this one when a patient wants subtle definition or just needs to smooth out fine lines around the lip border. It’s also good for patients who already have decent volume but want better shape.

Restylane and Restylane Kysse

Restylane is another trusted name in dermal fillers, made by Galderma.

Restylane Kysse was built specifically for the lips. It uses XpresHAn Technology, which is Galderma’s version of flexible cross-linking. The result feels soft and moves naturally when you smile or pucker.

What Happens During A Lip Filler Appointment

Your first visit starts with a conversation, not a needle. Angela will look at your lips, ask what you like and don’t like about them, and talk about realistic outcomes. If you decide to move forward that same day, here’s what the treatment looks like:

Numbing (20 to 30 minutes): We apply a high-strength topical numbing cream to your lips. The formula we use is a compounded BLT ointment, which stands for Benzocaine, Lidocaine, and Tetracaine. By the time we start injecting, most patients say they feel pressure but not actual pain.

Injection (15 to 25 minutes): Angela injects the filler in small amounts, building your result little by little. She stops frequently to check symmetry and shape. Most modern lip fillers also contain Lidocaine, so your lips get numb during the treatment.

Icing and check-out (10 minutes): We ice your lips right after to bring down initial swelling. Angela will go over aftercare, hand you a sheet with everything written down, and schedule a two-week follow-up if you want one.

How Much Lip Filler Do You Actually Need?

The “1.0 mL syringe” question comes up at almost every consultation. Some patients think one full syringe won’t be enough. Others worry it will be way too much.

The truth is that 1.0 mL looks completely different from person to person. It depends on your starting lip size, the thickness of your lip tissue, and how much volume you already have there.

Angela often recommends starting with a half syringe (0.5 mL) for first-time patients. This builds a foundation without overstretching the tissue. You come back in a few weeks and add more if you want. This two-session approach gives you more control over the result and lowers the risk of looking “overdone” right out of the gate.

Lip Filler Swelling And Recovery Timeline

This is the section you really need to read before your appointment. The swelling after lip filler catches a lot of people off guard.
  • Day 1:

    Your lips will be swollen, tender, and possibly bruised. They will look bigger than the final result. This is normal.

  • Day 2:

    (the “duck phase”)

    This is usually the worst day for swelling. You might wake up and think something went wrong. It didn’t. The lips are the most vascular area on your face, which means fluid rushes there fast. What you’re seeing is mostly water retention, not the filler itself.

  • Days 3 to 5:

    Swelling starts going down noticeably. Bruising (if you have any) begins to fade. Your lips will still feel firm or slightly lumpy. That’s the filler settling.
  • Days 7 to 10:

    Most of the swelling is gone. Your lips are starting to look like the final result. Some patients still feel small lumps when they press on their lips from the inside. That’s normal at this stage.

  • Day 14:

    This is when Angela considers your result “settled.” If one side looks uneven or you want more volume in a particular area, we schedule a touch-up. Do not try to judge symmetry before this point.

Lip Filler

Lip Filler Pricing At Savage Serenity In Fresno

Lip filler at Savage Serenity is priced per syringe. The cost depends on which product Angela recommends for your lips and how many syringes you need.

Some patients only need half a syringe. Others need a full one. First-timers rarely need more than one syringe at their first appointment.

We carry products from Allergan (Juvederm line), Galderma (Restylane line), and Revance (RHA Collection). Each product has a different price point, but the price per syringe is in the same general range across brands.

Gorgeous Lips, Easy Monthly Payments

Frequently Asked Questions About Lip Filler In Fresno

This is the section you really need to read before your appointment. The swelling after lip filler catches a lot of people off guard.
Does lip filler hurt?
The lips are sensitive, so yes, you will feel something. But we numb your lips for 20 to 30 minutes with a compounded BLT cream before we start. Most patients say the discomfort is more like pressure than sharp pain. The filler also contains Lidocaine, so your lips become numb as the treatment continues.
How swollen will I be?
Expect your lips to look about twice their final size for the first 48 hours. Day 2 is usually the peak. By day 5, most of the swelling has calmed down. Your true result shows at day 14. If you have a big event coming up, schedule your appointment at least 3 weeks before.
What if I don’t like the result?
That’s one of the biggest advantages of hyaluronic acid filler. It can be dissolved with an enzyme called Hylenex. If you end up unhappy with the result after it’s settled, Angela can reverse part or all of it. The filler also breaks down naturally over time, so even without dissolving, it will eventually go away on its own.
Can I wear lipstick the same day?
We recommend waiting until the next day before putting anything on your lips. The injection sites are tiny but still open for a few hours. Lipstick, lip gloss, and lip balm with fragrance can introduce bacteria; after 24 hours, you’re good to go.
What’s the difference between Juvederm and Restylane for lips?
Both are hyaluronic acid fillers, and both are FDA-approved. Juvederm tends to feel slightly softer and more “pillowy.” Restylane Kysse has flexible cross-linking that moves well with the lips. Angela picks the product based on your specific anatomy and goals. She will explain her recommendation during your appointment so you understand why she’s choosing it.
Can I get lip filler and Botox at the same appointment?
Yes. Many patients combine lip filler with Botox for their forehead or crow’s feet. Angela can do both in the same visit. She will just plan the placement so each product settles properly.