Lip filler uses Hyaluronic Acid, injected to add or restore volume and shape to the lips. Treatment is planned around individual facial proportions, with the amount and placement of filler tailored during consultation at Orovenza, part of Contoura Medical, and delivered by Nurse Rashmi Mehta.
At Orovenza, treatment begins with consultation and assessment so that your desired outcome, treatment approach and suitability can be discussed before proceeding.
Treatment Information
Treatment Details
What It Treats
Lip volume, shape and definition where Hyaluronic Acid filler is considered appropriate.
Treatment Approach
The amount and placement of filler are tailored to the individual treatment plan.
Downtime
Swelling and temporary changes can occur following treatment and vary between individuals.
Results Timeline
The final appearance settles as initial swelling reduces over the days following treatment.
The Process
How Lip Filler Treatment Works
Consultation
Your lips, facial proportions and desired outcome are assessed.
Treatment Planning
The appropriate Hyaluronic Acid filler approach is discussed.
Precision Treatment
Filler is carefully placed in the selected areas.
Aftercare
Aftercare guidance is provided and the final appearance assessed as swelling settles.
By Dr Edwin Anthony, Lead Clinician, Contoura Medical · Treatments delivered by Nurse Rashmi Mehta · Last updated 4 October 2026
Lip filler is an injectable treatment that uses Hyaluronic Acid gel to add shape, definition or gentle volume to the lips. At Orovenza in Marylebone, London, it suits adults who want natural, proportionate results from a nurse-led, doctor-overseen team in a hospital setting.
What it is and how it works
Hyaluronic Acid is a sugar molecule your body already makes to hold water in the skin. Lip fillers use a stabilised version of it, shaped into a smooth gel that supports the lip tissue.
Nurse Rashmi Mehta places small amounts with a fine needle or cannula, working to your natural anatomy rather than a template. The aim is balance: upper and lower lip in proportion to each other and to the rest of your face.
One practical advantage of Hyaluronic Acid is that it can be dissolved. An enzyme called hyaluronidase breaks the gel down, which gives a safety net if a result needs adjusting or a complication needs treating.
Who it is best suited for
Adults who feel their lips have thinned with age or lost definition along the border
People with naturally uneven lips who would like better symmetry
Anyone wanting a hydrated look without an obvious change in size
First-timers who prefer to build results gradually over one or two appointments
Your treatment journey at Orovenza
Consultation. Rashmi reviews your medical history, medicines, allergies and previous treatments, then examines your lips and facial proportions.
Plan. You agree the areas, the type of Hyaluronic Acid filler and a realistic amount. You get time to think before committing.
Treatment day. A topical numbing cream is applied, and most lip fillers also contain local anaesthetic. The injections usually take 20 to 30 minutes.
Aftercare. You leave with written aftercare advice and a direct number to call if anything worries you.
Review. A review appointment at around two weeks, once swelling has settled, lets us check the shape and symmetry together.
Results and how long they last
You will see a difference straight away, and the final shape settles over about two weeks. How long it lasts depends on the product, the amount used, your metabolism and how mobile your lips are.
Hyaluronic Acid fillers generally last between 6 and 18 months, according to Save Face.
In a randomised, evaluator-blinded study of Hyaluronic Acid lip filler, 88% of patients showed improved lip fullness at 8 weeks and 60% still did at 48 weeks.
In the same study, most injection-site symptoms such as tenderness and swelling lasted 7 days or less.
Recovery and aftercare
Swelling peaks at 24 to 48 hours and mostly settles within a few days. A cold compress helps.
Bruising is possible, especially if you bruise easily. It usually fades within a week.
Avoid lipstick and lip products for 12 hours so the injection points stay clean.
Skip strenuous exercise, saunas, steam rooms and alcohol for 24 to 48 hours.
Call us straight away if you notice increasing pain, pale or dusky skin, or blanching.
Safety, side effects and who should avoid it
Common side effects include redness, swelling, tenderness and bruising. These are usually short-lived.
Less common risks include lumps, infection, cold sore flare-ups and, rarely, a blocked blood vessel, which needs urgent treatment with hyaluronidase.
In the UK, dermal fillers are not prescription-only, so anyone can legally buy and inject them. That is why choosing a medically led clinic matters.
The NHS advises checking that practitioners are on an accredited register such as the JCCP or Save Face.
By law, fillers cannot be given to under 18s for cosmetic reasons in England.
Treatment is not suitable if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have an active cold sore or infection near the lips, or have a known allergy to any ingredient.
Lip filler compared with other options
Option
What it treats
How it works
How long it lasts
Downtime
Lip filler (Hyaluronic Acid)
Volume, shape, border definition, symmetry
Gel adds structure within the lip
Typically 6 to 12 months in the lips
Swelling for 2 to 3 days, possible bruising
Lip hydration (soft Hyaluronic Acid)
Dryness, fine lip lines, subtle plumpness
Very soft gel improves moisture with little added volume
Usually shorter than lip filler
Mild swelling for 1 to 2 days
Anti-wrinkle treatment around the mouth
Lip lines caused by movement
Relaxes the muscle that purses the lips
Typically 3 to 4 months
Minimal
How Orovenza compares
Treatment takes place in a hospital setting at Langham Hospital, 77 Hallam Street, Marylebone, not a salon.
Nurse-led by Nurse Rashmi Mehta, with doctor oversight from Dr Edwin Anthony, Lead Clinician at Contoura Medical, and a prescriber on site.
A consultation before every treatment, including repeat top-ups.
A fixed consultation fee, kept separate and not deducted from treatment prices, so the advice is never tied to a sale.
Reversible Hyaluronic Acid filler, with hyaluronidase available if needed.
A review appointment at around two weeks as standard.
If you would like to talk through lip filler, start with a consultation with Nurse Rashmi Mehta at Langham Hospital, or call 020 3890 1911. Consultation fees are fixed and are not deducted from treatment prices, and your practitioner confirms your personal treatment cost at consultation. Book a consultation
Frequently asked questions
What affects the cost of lip filler?
The cost mainly depends on how much Hyaluronic Acid filler you need, which product suits your lips, and if it is a first treatment or a top-up. Your practitioner confirms your personal cost at consultation, once your lips have been assessed. The consultation fee is fixed and separate, so you can get honest advice without any obligation to go ahead.
Does lip filler hurt?
Most patients describe it as uncomfortable rather than painful. We apply a numbing cream first, and most lip fillers contain a local anaesthetic that works within seconds of the first injection. The lips are sensitive, so you may feel pressure and brief stinging.
How long does swelling and bruising last after lip filler?
Swelling usually peaks in the first 24 to 48 hours and settles over a few days, with any remaining puffiness gone by around two weeks. Bruising does not happen to everyone, but when it does it usually fades within a week. Avoiding alcohol and heat for a day or two helps.
How long does lip filler last?
Hyaluronic Acid lip filler typically lasts 6 to 12 months, though some people keep a result for longer. Lips move constantly when you talk and eat, so filler breaks down faster here than in the cheeks. Your metabolism, the product chosen and the amount used all make a difference. Small top-ups can maintain the shape without starting from scratch.
When will I see my final lip filler result?
You will see a change immediately, but the true result appears once swelling has settled, usually at around two weeks. That is why we book a review appointment at about two weeks, so any small refinement is based on how your lips really look.
Can lip filler be reversed?
Yes. Hyaluronic Acid filler can be dissolved with an enzyme called hyaluronidase, which breaks down the gel so your body can clear it. It can correct lumps, asymmetry or too much volume, and is used urgently if a blood vessel is affected. Dissolving usually starts working within hours, although it may take more than one session.
Will my lips look natural?
A natural result comes from the right amount in the right place. Rashmi works to your existing lip shape and facial proportions, often using less filler than people expect. Photos of your own lips from a few years ago are a more useful guide than someone else's.
I have never had lip filler. What should I know first?
Start small. A conservative first treatment lets you get used to the feeling and see how your lips respond, and you can always add more at your review. Avoid booking just before a big event, because swelling and bruising can take a few days to settle.
Who should not have lip filler?
Lip filler is not suitable for anyone under 18, and UK law bans cosmetic filler for under 18s. We also avoid treating during pregnancy or breastfeeding, with an active cold sore or infection, or with a known allergy to an ingredient. Some autoimmune and bleeding conditions need extra caution, which is why a full medical history comes first.
Is lip filler or lip hydration better for me?
If you want more shape, definition or volume, lip filler is usually the better fit. If your lips are dry, lined or slightly thin and you want them to look healthier rather than bigger, a softer hydrating Hyaluronic Acid treatment may suit you. Both use Hyaluronic Acid, and both can be dissolved. Your consultation helps decide which matches your goals.
Pricing depends on the treatment plan and number of sessions required. Your practitioner will confirm the cost of your personal treatment plan at consultation. Consultation fees are fixed and are not deducted from treatment prices.
Nurse Rashmi Mehta is the Aesthetic Nurse for Orovenza non-surgical aesthetics service at Contoura Medical.
Orovenza provides a clinically led approach to non-surgical aesthetic treatments, with treatment planning centred on individual assessment, appropriate indications and natural-looking outcomes.
Patients are assessed before treatment so that the most appropriate option can be discussed based on their goals and clinical circumstances.
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