Last updated: October 2026 | Reading time: 5 minutes
Most first-timers I talk to are not worried about the needle. They are worried about two things: looking overdone, and how they will look in the days afterwards. Both are easier to manage when you know what happens and when. Here is what a first lip filler appointment at Crystal Cosmetic Clinic, our neighbours at 5460 Yonge St, looks like.
What lip filler actually is
Lip filler is a soft gel made of hyaluronic acid, a substance your skin already contains that holds water and keeps tissue plump. It adds volume, balances asymmetry and defines the lip line. The clinic uses products approved in Canada from brands such as Juvéderm, Restylane, Teoxane, Belotero and Stylage, and chooses the gel for your lips at the consultation.
The consultation
Every treatment starts with a consultation with the clinic's registered nurse. Bring photos of lips you like, but be ready to hear what suits your face. Say if you want a subtle first result — starting small and adding later is always possible; the reverse needs dissolving. The nurse also goes through your health history and agrees the amount and price with you before anything is done.
The appointment
A numbing cream or local anaesthetic goes on first, and many fillers contain an anaesthetic too, so most people describe the injections as mild discomfort rather than pain. The result is visible immediately — but what you see in the mirror right away includes swelling.
Day by day afterwards
- Day 1–2: swelling is at its most noticeable, lips feel firm, small bruises at injection points are common.
- Day 3–5: most of the swelling goes down; the shape starts to look like the final one.
- About 2 weeks: the filler has settled. This is the result to judge, and the time for a touch-up if you want one.
The nurse gives you aftercare instructions for the first days — follow those rather than generic advice online.
How long it lasts and how much it costs
Lip filler usually lasts about 6–12 months, depending on the product and your body; after that a smaller amount keeps the shape. At the clinic one syringe starts at $300, most lip treatments take one to two syringes, and several syringes come with a 10–15% package discount.
Can it be undone?
Yes. Hyaluronic acid filler can be dissolved with an enzyme called hyaluronidase. That safety net is one of the reasons it is the standard choice for lips.
Timing with lashes and events
Do lip filler at least a couple of weeks before an event so swelling and bruising are long gone, and lashes one to three days before. The full plan is in our bridal beauty timeline.
Frequently asked questions
Will my lips look overdone?
Not if you start conservatively. Ask for a natural result at the consultation; one syringe or less is a common first treatment.
Who can't have lip filler?
It is generally not done during pregnancy or breastfeeding or with an active infection around the mouth, including a cold sore. The nurse checks your history at the consultation.
Who performs it?
The registered nurse injector of Crystal Cosmetic Clinic. The lash studio takes your request and passes it on.
Thinking about it? Send a request — the clinic will call you to arrange a consultation.
