Filler

Lips

Shape, definition and fullness

Lip filler in Hale, Altrincham

Lip filler can give your lips more fullness, a clearer outline or some of the shape they've lost, with room for a small refinement or a more noticeable change.

Perhaps you'd like a little more upper lip, or a clearer edge when you put on lipstick. You may have always wanted fuller lips. Or you'd like them to look more like they used to.

Lip filler adds a soft gel to the lips to change their shape and volume. The result can range from a little extra definition to fuller lips that you can really notice.

Tell Dr Alex what appeals to you. He'll look at your lips, talk through the change you have in mind and explain how he would approach it.

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Your consultation, treatment and follow-up are with Dr Alex.

Book a consultation Learn more
Treatment cost
£400
Seeing your result
Allow around 2 weeks
Downtime
Swelling and bruising possible
How long it lasts
Typically 12-18 months

What would you like to change?

More lip, more definition, or a shape you miss

You don't need to know how much filler you want before you book. Start with what you'd like to see in the mirror.

You'd like fuller lips

Your lips have always been quite small, or your upper lip looks much thinner than your lower lip. You'd like more fullness, whether that's a little extra volume or a more obvious change.

The outline is harder to see

You spend a bit longer with your lip liner than you used to. The edge looks less defined, or the dip and curves of your Cupid's bow have become harder to pick out.

Your lips used to look different

An old photograph reminds you that your lips once looked fuller. You're interested in restoring some of that shape, rather than having to start from someone else's idea of how lips should look.

Before you book

The details you'll want to know

You'll see a change straight away, but allow time for swelling to settle before judging the shape.

Treatment cost
£400
Dr Alex will explain the recommended treatment and confirm the cost before you go ahead.
Seeing your result
Allow around 2 weeks
The added volume is visible immediately. Swelling can make your lips look larger or less even while they settle.
Downtime
Swelling and bruising possible
Your lips may be noticeably swollen for several days. Leave time before an important event.
How long it lasts
Typically 12-18 months
This is Dr Alex's usual guide to visible results. Some fullness may remain for longer, so repeat treatment depends on assessment.
Who treats you
Dr Alex
He assesses your lips, carries out the treatment and advises you during recovery.

The result you have in mind

Fuller lips can still have their own shape

Lip filler can add volume, define the outline and improve the balance between your upper and lower lip. You can discuss each of these separately.

More size isn't always the main aim. A clearer edge or a little more fullness in one area may be the change you're after. If you prefer a fuller look overall, say so. Dr Alex will explain how that could work with your existing lips and facial proportions.

If you're nervous about looking 'done', Dr Alex aims to bring out your own lip shape or restore lost fullness, with a result that looks natural on your face.

The lips you leave with will usually look more swollen than the settled result. Allow around two weeks for an initial assessment of the shape, and longer if swelling remains. Small differences between the two sides are normal; filler can improve some asymmetry, but it won't make your lips perfectly symmetrical.

✓

✓

More fullness in naturally small or thinning lips

✓

A clearer lip outline and Cupid's bow

✓

Better balance between the upper and lower lip

✓

Restoration of some shape lost over time

Would lip filler suit you?

The starting shape makes a difference

Dr Alex looks at the lips you have now, any previous filler and the change you'd like. That helps establish what can be achieved in one appointment.

Your lips can accommodate the change
The amount of tissue and its flexibility affect how much fullness can be added. If you're starting with very thin lips and want a larger change, Dr Alex may recommend building it over separate treatments.
Shape matters as much as size
Your upper and lower lips may need different amounts of treatment. He'll assess their outline, how far they project and how they look when you smile, so the recommendation addresses what you actually want to change.
Previous filler needs checking first
Tell Dr Alex what you've had, where and when. If filler is still present, feels lumpy or has moved beyond the lip border, he needs to assess it before deciding whether adding more would help.

Lips or lines around the mouth?

They may need different treatments

This treatment adds shape and volume to the lips themselves. Vertical lines in the skin above or below them - often called smoker's lines or lipstick lines - are a separate concern. Lip line filler may be more relevant if those lines are what you want to soften.

Adding volume also won't correct every cause of an uneven smile. Dr Alex will explain which changes filler can reasonably make after examining you.

How lip filler works

A soft gel adds volume where it's needed

Hyaluronic acid lip filler is an injectable gel. It adds volume within the lip tissue and can help define the border.

Hyaluronic acid is a substance your body also makes naturally. In filler, it is made into a gel designed to remain in the tissue for a time before gradually breaking down.

Different gels vary in firmness and flexibility. Dr Alex chooses a product to suit the area being treated and the change you're aiming for. The choice of gel and where it is placed both affect how your lips look and feel.

Filler changes the volume and shape directly. A Botox lip flip works differently, by relaxing part of the muscle around the mouth so more of the upper lip may show. It doesn't add volume.

Your appointment

Bring an idea, a photo or just your questions

A photo can help explain what you like. It might be a result you've seen or an older picture of yourself. Dr Alex will discuss what is achievable on your own lips.

At your consultation

Show him what you mean

Explain what you'd like to change and what you already like about your lips. Dr Alex will ask about your health, allergies, medicines, cold sores and any previous filler or other treatment around your mouth.
Before the injections

Agree the treatment

He'll examine your lips and explain the proposed result, product, amount, risks and cost. You'll also discuss numbing and what to expect as your lips settle. You can ask questions or take time to decide.
If you decide to go ahead

Have your lips treated

Dr Alex numbs your lips with either a local anaesthetic 'dental block' or a strong numbing cream. He then adds filler using a needle, a fine blunt-tipped tube called a cannula, or both, checking the shape as he works.
After your appointment

Let the swelling settle

You'll be given aftercare advice and told when to judge the result. If you'd like more volume once swelling has settled, Dr Alex waits at least a month before considering more filler in the same area. Contact SONÜ promptly if anything concerns you; you don't need to wait a month for advice.

Experience with lip filler

Why choose Dr Alex for lip filler?

Dr Alex teaches doctors, dentists and nurses how to carry out dermal filler treatments. His teaching experience spans several filler ranges, and he is currently a trainer for Evolus's Estyme range.

He has helped launch Estyme and Aliaxin LV in the UK, and contributed to regional events and international clinician education for MaiLi.

At your consultation, he'll look at your lips from the front and in profile, as well as when you smile. A fuller upper lip, a sharper outline and a change in projection are different requests. He'll help you work out which would give you the result you're picturing.

He'll also assess any existing filler before recommending more. Your consultation, treatment and follow-up stay with the same doctor, so you can discuss the settled result with the person who treated you.

GMC-registered doctor · 7072776

Full Member of BCAM

International toxin trainer

Aesthetics Awards winner 2021

Side effects and suitability

What should you know before having lip filler?

Swelling, tenderness and bruising are common after lip filler. Your lips may feel firmer or look uneven at first, then soften as they settle.

Possible side effects

Lumps, persistent unevenness, infection, cold sore flare-ups and filler moving beyond the lip border can occur. Inflammation or swelling can also develop later, after the initial recovery. Contact Dr Alex if a change persists or appears unexpectedly.

Rarely, filler can block a blood vessel and damage the skin or other tissue. Very rare complications include permanent sight loss. These need urgent treatment, so knowing the warning signs matters.

Symptoms that need urgent help

Contact SONÜ immediately if you develop unusual or increasing pain, pale skin, or a dusky or mottled colour around the treated area. Don't wait for a routine review. If you can't reach the clinic, seek urgent medical care.

Any change in vision, sudden weakness or difficulty speaking needs emergency medical help. Call 999 and tell them you've recently had dermal filler.

When treatment needs to wait

SONÜ does not treat anyone under 18, pregnant or breastfeeding. An active cold sore, infection or inflamed or broken skin around the lips needs to settle first.

Tell Dr Alex about allergies, previous reactions to filler, health conditions and medicines you take. Mention planned or recent dental treatment too, so he can advise on timing. A history of cold sores may change the preparation he recommends.

You'll have time to discuss the risks and decide whether you're comfortable going ahead.

Treatment costs

How much does lip filler cost?

Treatment starts from £400 for the first 1 ml. We’ll agree the amount, areas and total cost with you before treatment.

First 1 ml

£

400

From £

400
400

% off

Priced after consultation

per first 1 ml
Additional 1 ml

£

300

From £

300
300

% off

Priced after consultation

per additional 1 ml, same appointment
The first 1 ml is £400, with each additional 1 ml at the same appointment priced at £300. If your plan is spread over several visits, each visit is priced separately using these rates. We’ll agree the plan and cost with you first.
A consultation with Dr Alex costs £75. If you choose to have treatment within 3 months of your consultation, you can put this fee towards it, including at a later appointment. It cannot be used towards skincare products. If you decide not to have treatment, the fee covers your consultation.
Book a consultation
If he recommends treating over separate appointments or addressing existing filler first, he'll explain the options and any additional costs. You don't need to choose a syringe size before your consultation.

A few more questions

Questions about lip filler

From choosing the amount to knowing when your lips have settled.

Should I have 0.5ml or 1ml of lip filler?
The same amount can look different on different lips. Your starting shape, previous filler, the product and the result you want all matter. Dr Alex will recommend an amount after examining you. If you want a larger change, he may suggest separate treatments rather than trying to achieve it all at once.
Will my lips feel soft afterwards?
The aim is for your lips to feel soft once they've settled. Swelling and the filler itself can make them feel firmer initially. If you notice a persistent lump, tenderness or a change that develops later, contact Dr Alex for an assessment. Don't try to massage a lump away unless he has advised you to.
Does lip filler hurt?
A dental block can make the filler injections painless once it has taken effect. You may still notice pressure or movement, and the numbing injections themselves can briefly sting. Strong numbing cream is another option. The filler also contains lidocaine to help with comfort. Dr Alex will discuss which approach suits you.
How long before an event should I have it?
Leave at least two weeks, and preferably longer for a major event or your first treatment. Swelling and bruising vary, and you may want time for a review once they've settled. Tell Dr Alex the date before booking; treatment just before a wedding or holiday can leave too little time to assess recovery.
How long does lip filler last?
Dr Alex usually advises 12-18 months for the visible result, although this varies with the product, amount used and your response. Some fullness may remain beyond that, so a fading result doesn't necessarily mean all the filler has gone. He'll assess what remains before recommending another treatment, rather than topping up automatically on a fixed schedule.
Can I have treatment if I've had filler elsewhere?
Yes, subject to assessment. Bring any details you have about the product and when it was used. If there's persistent swelling, lumps or filler sitting beyond the lip border, adding more may make it more obvious. Dr Alex will explain whether to leave it, investigate further or discuss dissolving before another treatment.
Can lip filler be dissolved?
Hyaluronic acid filler can be broken down using an enzyme called hyaluronidase. This needs its own assessment and discussion of risks, including allergic reactions. It isn't a guarantee of an exact return to your previous appearance, and more than one treatment may be needed. Other types of filler may not respond to it.
Can I have lip filler if I get cold sores?
A history of cold sores doesn't automatically rule out treatment, but tell Dr Alex beforehand. Injections around the lips can trigger a flare-up, and he may recommend preventative treatment. If you have an active cold sore or feel one starting, contact the clinic before your appointment; treatment should wait until it has healed.
Can you treat just my upper lip?
Sometimes. Dr Alex will assess both lips together, even if you only want to change the upper one. The amount of fullness, the outline and how far the lip projects all affect the result. Treating only the upper lip may suit your goal; in other cases, a small adjustment to both gives a better balance.
Would a lip flip give me the same result?
No. A Botox lip flip can help a little more of the upper lip show by relaxing part of the surrounding muscle. Filler adds volume and can change the outline. If your upper lip rolls in when you smile, a lip flip may be worth discussing. If you want fuller lips at rest, filler may be more relevant.

Other options

If your main concern is around the lips

A lip flip may help more of the upper lip show, while lip line filler addresses vertical lines in the surrounding skin. If you're considering how your lips look in profile, Dr Alex can also assess the relationship between your lips and chin.

Lip flip in Hale, Altrincham

Show a little more upper lip when you smile with a subtle lip flip treatment.

Your next step

Let's talk about the lips you'd like

Book a consultation with Dr Alex at SONÜ in Hale, Altrincham. Bring a photo if it helps, or simply tell him what you'd like to change. He'll examine your lips and explain the options, so you can decide what feels right for you.

Book a consultation Contact the clinic
SONÜ Medical Aesthetics

34 Hale Road, Hale, Altrincham, WA14 2EX

Doctor-led treatment in a relaxed, private clinic

Close to Hale station and easy to reach from Altrincham, Manchester and Cheshire