— TREATMENT GUIDE —
Lip Enhancement — Lip Fillers | Hinoki Aesthetics Ireland
Doctor-led · Natural volume · Precise definition
Book Your TreatmentLip filler at Hinoki is about refinement, not transformation. Whether you want subtle hydration, improved symmetry, or meaningful volume — the result is shaped by your facial proportions, not a template.
What Are Lip Fillers?
Lip fillers are hyaluronic acid-based injectables placed into and around the lips to add volume, improve definition, enhance hydration, and refine shape. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance in the body — it attracts water molecules and integrates with the surrounding tissue.
Lip filler is one of the most requested aesthetic treatments — and one of the most visible. That means both the quality of the product and the skill of the injector matter enormously. Lips that look natural, proportionate, and soft require anatomical knowledge, an eye for balance, and precise technique.
At Hinoki, all lip filler is administered exclusively by our doctor. Every result is designed around your individual lip shape and facial structure.
What Can Lip Filler Achieve?
Lip filler is not one thing — it addresses a range of different concerns depending on what you're looking for:
Volume — adding fullness to lips that have always been thin, or restoring volume lost with age. The upper and lower lip can be treated separately or together.
Definition — sharpening the vermillion border (the outline of the lip) and the Cupid's bow for a more defined, structured lip.
Hydration — improving the surface quality and moisture of the lip, reducing fine vertical lip lines and a creased appearance.
Symmetry — addressing natural asymmetries in lip shape or volume.
Proportion — improving the ratio between upper and lower lip, or the relationship between the lips and surrounding facial features.
Lip flip effect — soft product placed just above the upper lip border can slightly evert the lip, creating more show without adding volume.
0.5ml vs 1ml — Which Is Right for You?
0.5ml Lip Enhancement (€195)
The subtler option. Well-suited to:
- First-time lip filler patients who want to test the water
- People who want hydration and definition rather than volume
- Those who already have reasonable volume but want refinement
- Maintenance top-ups after a previous 1ml treatment
Results are noticeable but understated. Most people will see improved definition and a subtle plumping effect.
1ml Lip Enhancement (€299)
The standard treatment volume. Suited to:
- Patients who want meaningful volume enhancement
- Those with naturally thin lips seeking a more balanced result
- Patients who want both volume and definition addressed in a single treatment
- Those restoring volume lost with age
1ml provides a more visible result — full, balanced lips that are clearly enhanced but remain proportionate to the face.
Your doctor will discuss the right starting point based on your anatomy and goals. First-time patients are often advised to start at 0.5ml and build from there.
What to Expect
Before Your Treatment
- Avoid blood-thinning medications (aspirin, ibuprofen), fish oil supplements, and alcohol for 24–48 hours
- Avoid lip waxing, threading, or other lip treatments in the 2 weeks prior
- Stay well hydrated
- Do not book within 2 weeks of a major event — swelling can take time to settle fully
During Your Treatment
Your doctor will assess your lips and facial proportions, discuss your goals, and outline the treatment plan. A topical anaesthetic cream will be applied before treatment. Most lip fillers also contain lidocaine within the product itself, which numbs the area progressively as treatment proceeds. The treatment itself takes 30–45 minutes.
After Your Treatment
- Expect swelling — this is normal and peaks at 24–48 hours. Lips typically look more swollen immediately after treatment than they will once settled
- Avoid pressing, massaging, or kissing firmly for 24–48 hours
- Avoid very hot food or drinks, sun exposure, and saunas for 1 week
- No strenuous exercise for 24 hours
- Avoid flying for 24–48 hours
- Cold packs (wrapped in cloth) can reduce swelling in the first 24 hours
When Will I See the Final Result?
Swelling and minor bruising are common and resolve over 5–10 days. The settled, final result is typically visible at 2 weeks. If you have concerns about the result at that point, contact the clinic for a review.
How Long Do Lip Fillers Last?
Lips are a highly mobile area — the filler breaks down faster here than in less active areas of the face. Most patients find lip filler lasts 6–9 months, though this varies based on the product used, the volume placed, your metabolism, and your lip activity. Top-up treatments maintain the result.
Who Is It For?
Lip fillers are suitable for most healthy adults who want to enhance or restore lip volume and definition. They are appropriate for both first-time patients and those maintaining ongoing results.
Lip fillers are not suitable if you:
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Have an active cold sore or lip infection (herpes labialis) — treatment should be delayed
- Have a known allergy to hyaluronic acid
- Have had permanent lip filler previously — this must be disclosed
Note for patients with a history of cold sores: Lip filler can trigger a herpes outbreak. If you have a history of cold sores, inform your doctor — antiviral medication can be prescribed as a precaution.
The Hinoki Approach to Lips
There is no universal "perfect lip." Lips need to suit the face — the nose, chin, the overall proportions. What looks beautiful on one person can look incongruous on another.
At Hinoki, we start from your anatomy. We are not trying to create a trend look or match an Instagram reference. We are trying to make your lips look like the best version of themselves. If your instinct is to go larger than we recommend, we will tell you — and explain why. We would rather you come back for more than overtreat at the first appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
The honest answer is that it depends on your starting point and your goal. 0.5ml produces subtle improvement — improved definition and hydration, a small amount of volume. 1ml produces meaningful enhancement. Your doctor will discuss this at your appointment. First-time patients are often advised to start conservatively.
Lips are sensitive. Topical anaesthetic is applied before treatment and most products contain lidocaine which takes effect as the injection proceeds. Most patients describe the experience as uncomfortable but manageable. The procedure is quick.
Tell us exactly that. Bring reference photos of lips you find natural and attractive. We work to your aesthetic preferences — and we will also tell you honestly if a request isn't something we'd recommend.
Yes. Hyaluronic acid filler can be dissolved with hyaluronidase at any point. This is an important safety consideration and one of the reasons HA-based products are the standard of care.
Avoid direct sun exposure for at least 1 week after treatment. If you are going on holiday, plan your treatment at least 2 weeks before.
We recommend waiting 24–48 hours before flying.
In most cases, yes — but inform your doctor of your history. If there is uncertainty about product type or previous volume placed, your doctor may suggest a conservative approach or a period of observation.
Some swelling is normal and expected. It typically peaks at 24–48 hours and resolves within 5–10 days. Cold compresses (wrapped — not directly on skin) can help. If you experience extreme swelling, severe pain, or skin colour changes, contact the clinic immediately.
Temporary numbness from the lidocaine in the product is common during and after treatment. Normal sensation returns within a few hours. Long-term changes to sensation are not expected. Book Lip Enhancement → *All treatments at Hinoki Aesthetics are performed exclusively by our qualified medical doctor.*