Licensed professionals · Natural-looking results · Personal consultation · 14360 S LaGrange Rd, Orland Park, IL

Many women notice the change slowly. Lipstick starts to bleed into tiny lines. The upper lip looks flatter in photos. The corners of the mouth seem to point down even when you are relaxed. None of this means you want big, obvious lips. Most women over 40 who ask about lip filler want the opposite: lips that look like their own, just a few years younger. This guide explains why lips thin with age, how filler restores them naturally and what to expect from start to finish.

This guide goes with our Juvéderm filler service in Orland Park. To compare lip and cheek treatments, read Juvéderm Lip vs. Cheek Filler.

Why Lips Thin With Age

Lips change for the same reasons the rest of the face does. Several things happen at once, which is why the change can feel sudden even though it builds over years.

• Less collagen and hyaluronic acid. The skin of the lips makes less of the proteins and moisture-holding molecules that keep it plump and smooth.
• Volume loss. The lips lose some of their fullness, especially the upper lip, which can start to roll inward and show less pink.
• A softer border. The crisp edge where the lip meets the skin, called the vermilion border, flattens. The Cupid’s bow becomes less defined.
• A longer upper lip. The space between the nose and the lip often lengthens over time, which makes the lip look thinner.
• Changes in the bone and teeth. The jaw and teeth give the lips support from behind. As that support shrinks, the lips lose projection.
• Lip lines. Years of talking, drinking from straws, sun exposure and smoking create vertical lines above and below the lip.
• Downturned corners. Loss of support at the corners of the mouth can make the face look tired or unhappy at rest.

Menopause can speed up some of these changes, because lower estrogen affects collagen and skin thickness. For an overview of what tends to change at each stage, read Anti-Aging Treatments by Age.

Restoring Shape vs. Adding Size

The biggest difference between lip filler at 25 and lip filler at 45 is the goal. Younger clients often want more volume. Women over 40 usually get the most natural result by putting back what time has taken, in the places it was taken from.

A natural plan respects the balance between the upper and lower lip. In most faces, the lower lip is slightly fuller than the upper. Overfilling the upper lip is the most common reason lip filler looks “done.” A skilled injector keeps that balance and builds slowly.

Common treatment areas for mature lips

• The vermilion border, to bring back a defined edge so lipstick stays in place.
• The Cupid’s bow and philtral columns, the two ridges above the upper lip, to restore a youthful shape.
• The body of the lip, with a small amount of soft gel for hydration and gentle fullness.
• The corners of the mouth, to lift a downturned look.
• Fine lines around the lips, softened with very small amounts of a soft filler.

Lip Lines and the Corners of the Mouth

Lip lines

Vertical lip lines, sometimes called lipstick lines or smoker’s lines, form even in women who have never smoked. Soft hyaluronic acid filler placed just under the skin can smooth fine lines and help stop lipstick from bleeding. The Juvéderm collection includes gels designed for the lips and the lines around them, and your injector chooses the right one for your skin.

Deeper, etched lines often respond best to a combination plan. Filler supports the area from below, while resurfacing treatments improve the skin surface. Options include microneedling and fractional CO2 laser resurfacing. Read CO2 Laser vs. Microneedling for Wrinkles to compare them.

Downturned corners

The corners of the mouth lose support with age, and small lines can form below them toward the chin. A small amount of filler placed at the corners can lift them slightly and soften the shadow beneath. When the lines continue down toward the jaw, treating the lower face as a whole often looks more natural than focusing on the lips alone. See Neck and Jawline Rejuvenation and our full face rejuvenation plan.

How Much Lip Filler Is Typical for a Natural Look

Lip filler is measured in syringes, and lip syringes usually hold about half a milliliter to one milliliter of gel. That is a small amount, less than a quarter of a teaspoon, and in the lips a little goes a long way.

Building in stages is one of the best ways to keep results natural. Starting conservatively lets the filler settle and lets you see how your lips respond. If you want a little more, it can be added at a follow-up visit. It is much easier to add than to take away.

What to Expect During Treatment

• Consultation. We talk about your goals, look at your lip shape and facial balance, and review your health history, including any history of cold sores.
• Comfort. Many Juvéderm lip gels contain lidocaine, a numbing agent, and a topical numbing cream can be used before treatment.
• Treatment. The filler is placed with a fine needle or a blunt cannula in small amounts. Most appointments take about 30 to 60 minutes including numbing.
• Review. You see the shape before you leave, and we can schedule a follow-up visit to check your results once swelling settles.

Results and Longevity

You will see a change right away, but the lips will be swollen for the first few days. The final shape usually shows after about two weeks, once swelling has gone down and the filler has settled.

• How long it lasts. Lip filler usually lasts around 6 to 12 months. The manufacturer reports that some Juvéderm lip products last up to about a year. Lips move constantly, so filler breaks down faster there than in the cheeks.
• Maintenance. Many women return once or twice a year. Maintenance visits often need less filler than the first treatment.
• Reversible. Hyaluronic acid fillers can be dissolved with an enzyme called hyaluronidase if needed, which gives peace of mind for first-time clients.
• Gradual fade. Filler fades slowly, so your lips return gently toward their starting point rather than changing overnight.

Aftercare for Lip Filler

Swelling and some bruising are normal after lip filler and usually peak in the first two days. These steps help you heal well.

• Use a cold compress wrapped in a soft cloth for short periods on the first day.
• Avoid strenuous exercise, saunas, hot tubs and heat for about 24 to 48 hours.
• Limit alcohol for the first day, because it can increase swelling and bruising.
• Do not press, massage or pucker hard on the lips unless your injector tells you to.
• Sleep with your head slightly raised for the first night or two.
• Skip lipstick and lip products for the rest of the day to keep the injection points clean.
• Plan around events and dental work. Schedule filler about two weeks before a big event, and avoid dental cleanings for about two weeks before and after if possible.
• Call us if you notice severe pain, skin color changes, blanching or swelling that keeps getting worse.

If you take blood thinners, aspirin or supplements such as fish oil, ask your doctor before stopping anything. Never stop a prescribed medicine on your own.

Who Is a Good Candidate

Lip filler is a good fit for most healthy adults who want softer lines, better shape or a little more fullness. It is not right during pregnancy or breastfeeding, during an active cold sore or skin infection around the mouth, or for anyone with an allergy to the filler’s ingredients. If you get cold sores, tell us at your consultation, because preventive medicine from your doctor may be recommended before treatment.

Cost Expectations

Lip filler is priced per syringe. Your total depends on how many syringes your plan needs and whether you combine lips with other areas or skin treatments. A conservative first treatment usually costs less than people expect, because natural lip restoration often needs only a small amount.

See current offers on our hot deals page, our price by session page, and how our membership can lower the cost of regular maintenance.

About Oxygen Med Spa

Oxygen Med Spa offers Juvéderm filler, chemical peels, facials, laser treatments and advanced skin care in Orland Park, Illinois. Our licensed professionals plan every treatment around your natural features, with the goal of results that look like you on your best day. Visit us at 14360 S LaGrange Rd, Unit D, Orland Park, IL 60462. Learn more about us, see our gallery, or browse all services.

Lip Filler for Thin Aging Lips FAQs

Related: Juvéderm filler · lip vs. cheek filler · anti-aging by age · microneedling · skin rejuvenation · hot deals