Is lip filler reversible?

Yes. All lip filler used at Core Aesthetics is hyaluronic acid based and can be dissolved using hyaluronidase if needed. Reversal is discussed at consultation as part of the informed consent process. This is a genuine safety advantage of hyaluronic acid filler over non-dissolvable products.

Can lip filler correct asymmetry?

Yes, within limits. Minor natural asymmetries between the upper and lower lip, or between the left and right side, can often be improved with careful placement. More significant structural asymmetries may require a staged approach across multiple appointments. An honest assessment of what treatment can achieve is provided at consultation.

How long does lip swelling last after treatment?

Swelling after lip filler is expected and typically peaks at 24 to 48 hours before gradually resolving. Most clients find swelling has settled substantially by the end of the first week. The final result is not visible until approximately two weeks after treatment. A detailed swelling timeline is covered in the aftercare guide.

What should I avoid before a lip filler appointment?

Avoid alcohol for 24 hours before your appointment as it increases bruising risk. Blood-thinning supplements such as fish oil, aspirin and vitamin E should be avoided for a week where clinically safe. Do not schedule treatment immediately before a significant event — allow at least two weeks for swelling to fully resolve.

Will my lips return to normal if I stop having lip filler?

Yes. Hyaluronic acid filler is gradually broken down by the body over months, and without repeat treatment the lips return to their original appearance. Lips do not become permanently stretched or dependent on filler to look normal. This is a common concern that Corey Anderson addresses at consultation.

What is the difference between adding volume and adding shape to the lips?

Adding volume increases the overall size of the lips. Adding shape involves defining the lip border, improving the philtral columns, softening vertical lines or refining the Cupid's bow without necessarily making the lips larger. Many clients benefit more from improved definition than from added volume, and sometimes from both simultaneously.

How do I communicate what I want from lip filler at consultation?

Describing what you dislike or what has changed, rather than specifying a particular look, is often the most useful approach. Photos can be helpful as a reference, but Corey Anderson will always explain what is and is not realistic for your individual anatomy before any plan is discussed.

What makes someone a good candidate for lip filler?

Good candidates have realistic expectations, understand that lip filler enhances rather than transforms, and have lips with sufficient natural structure to support the intended result. Clients with very thin lips, history of cold sores, or unrealistic expectations based on significantly different anatomy are advised of these factors at consultation.

Lip Filler: Top Lip or Bottom Lip First? | Core Aesthetics

Whether to treat the upper or lower lip first depends on the individual lip anatomy, the presenting concern and the natural lip ratio. At Core Aesthetics, the decision is made following individual assessment by Corey Anderson AHPRA RN NMW0001047575 rather than by a default preference for one lip over the other.

The decision about which lip to treat first, or whether to treat both lips simultaneously, is one of the more anatomy specific aspects of lip filler assessment. At Core Aesthetics in Oakleigh, Corey Anderson, AHPRA registered nurse (NMW0001047575, registered since January 1996), makes this decision based on individual assessment of the lip anatomy, proportion and presenting concern rather than a default approach.

How Lip Proportion Works

Natural lip proportion varies significantly between individuals, but a common reference point places the lower lip as approximately one and a half times the projected volume of the upper. This ratio is not a target that every client should achieve through treatment, it is a reference that helps contextualise what “proportionate” means for the specific anatomy.

“Good information changes the quality of the decision.”

The relationship between the upper and lower lip in the context of the full face matters as much as the lips in isolation. The philtrum length, the Cupid’s bow shape, the width of the lips relative to the facial width and the relationship between the lips and the chin all affect what proportion looks natural for the individual face.

Upper Lip First: When and Why

The upper lip is the more frequently treated of the two, and for many clients it is the more relevant starting point. The upper lip tends to thin more visibly with age, losing both definition at the border and volume in the body of the lip. In clients where the upper to lower ratio has become disproportionate because the upper has reduced in volume, addressing the upper lip alone may be the most appropriate first step.

Upper lip treatment can address border definition, Cupid’s bow shape, lip column symmetry, the peak and curve of the upper lip border and subtle volume in the upper lip body. The upper lip is more technically complex than the lower because of the philtrum columns and the Cupid’s bow, which require more precise attention during assessment and treatment.

Lower Lip First: When and Why

Lower lip treatment alone may be appropriate where the lower lip is disproportionately thin relative to the upper, where the lower lip lacks projection in profile, or where the specific concern is the overall fullness of the lower lip rather than the border definition of the upper. In some clients, the upper lip is adequately full and the concern is specifically with the lower.

Treating Both Lips Simultaneously

For clients where the presenting concern is the overall volume, shape or proportion of the lips as a unit rather than a specific concern with one lip over the other, a small conservative addition to both lips on the same appointment may be the most appropriate approach. This allows a proportionate improvement across both lips while maintaining the overall lip to face balance.

The total volume placed remains conservative regardless of whether one or both lips are treated. The principle at Core Aesthetics is always to start conservatively and assess the settled result at a two week review before adding further treatment. Read more about lip filler at Core Aesthetics, whether lip filler is worth it and lip filler aftercare.

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General Information Only. This article is general in nature and does not replace a consultation with a qualified health practitioner. Treatment outcomes, suitability and risks vary by individual. Any medical or prescription treatment options can only be discussed and provided where clinically appropriate following an individual assessment.

Clinical References

Written and reviewed by Corey Anderson, Registered Nurse and Cosmetic Injector | Last reviewed: April 2026
AHPRA Registration: NMW0001047575 (Nurse, registered since January 1996) | Core Aesthetics, Oakleigh VIC 3166
All prescription treatments are assessed and administered by an AHPRA registered health practitioner. Suitability is determined individually at consultation.

Clinical References