
How to fix small lips – everything you need to know
We’re big believers in self-love, but we also know that there are treatments out there that help people feel more confident and happier in their appearance. One of those is lip filler.
It’s one of the most popular non-surgical procedures in the world with one treatment being carried out on average every 20 minutes.
So,how do you go about setting up a consultation and lip filler treatment, and what are the side-effects?
Find a clinic or practitioner near you and enjoy a risk-free booking process thanks to free in-clinic consultations and the option to pay in-clinic. Also, you can now split the cost of your treatment into four equal, interest-free instalments using Tabby.
In this article:
Why seek out lip augmentation treatment?
While some people struggle with speaking and eating due to their lip size some decide to get fillers purely for cosmetic reasons. Lip augmentation is very common now and is super non-invasive, but it’s still important you do your own research to determine if the treatment will give you that extra boost of confidence you’re looking for.
There’s nothing wrong with having small lips but feeling confident and happy in your own skin is an important part of life. Some do this without lip augmentation but for others, the procedure may be worth it. Filler adds volume to the lips, balances out uneven areas and plumps the cupids bow for a perkier pout.
Lip filler has very little risk, typically only causing bruising, swelling and mild discomfort, which was another reason why many decide to give it a go. As with any cosmetic treatment, though, you always must weigh up the potential risks, no matter how unlikely they are.

How to start the process?
Finding a good clinician should always be at the forefront of your mind when undergoing any cosmetic treatment, no matter how minor. Start your journey by looking at reviews for clinics within driving distance and search for previous patient’s experiences to help you make a final decision.
However, reviews aren’t the only important thing, it’s also a good idea to check up on the clinic’s credentials and see if they have any before and after any images. These can give you an idea of how effective the treatment is and if the surgeon offers the results you’re looking for.
Once you have found a few clinics that look great online, get booked in for some consultations. It may be tempting to skip this step to save time, but don’t – it gives you a chance to chat with the practitioner, ask any questions and make sure you’re confident in their abilities. Equally, they’ll be able to tell you what kind of results you can expect from one session, as well as give you some advice for pre- and post-procedure care.
You’ll likely find the consultations incredibly helpful; not only can these help you find the perfect clinic to fix up your small lips, but they can also help you manage your expectations. As much as you may want pillowy lips immediately you may discover that it will take more than one treatment to achieve them due to the natural size of your lips.
Where to get treatment and how does it work?
Following weeks of research and consultations, it’s time to decide on a treatment clinic for your lip augmentation.
Our number one tip is to make sure you’re comfortable with your clinician and confident in their abilities, as this makes the entire procedure much more relaxed.
When you’ve found your clinician, they will start the procedure by wiping your lips and the area surrounding them. This is to ensure there is nothing on your face that could cause infection. You shouldn’t wear makeup to your appointment but do let them know if you have any on when you arrive.
Next, your clinician will apply a small amount of numbing cream to reduce the pain. Numbing cream is thought to increase the appearance of swelling, although it’s well worth it unless you have a high pain tolerance.
Once that kicks in, the clinician will start to inject small amounts of filler into both your bottom and top lips, concentrating on the areas you have requested. Maybe you’re looking for a fuller bottom lip and a more defined cupid’s bow – always communicate what results you want so you aren’t left disappointed.
The filler is made of a hyaluronic acid solution, although you should talk to your practitioner about what type of filler is best for volumising your small lips.
Lip injections aren’t overly painful; it feels like a small pinch as the needle pricks your skin, then an unusual sensation as the filler enters your lip. It’s more uncomfortable than painful, and the procedure only takes half an hour.
After the procedure, your clinician will discuss aftercare with you. This should include:
- Not wearing makeup or touching your lips for the first 12 to 24 hours.
- Sleeping with your head elevated – this sounds odd, but it helps decrease swelling.
- Not drinking alcohol for 24 hours following the procedure.
- Avoiding strenuous activity for 24 hours.
Aftercare is simple and as expected, so you should have no problems agreeing to this. Overall, the procedure should be extremely quick and convenient.
What results can you expect?
You may notice a difference as soon as you’re handed a mirror to check what has been done – your small lips should appear significantly plumper. However, bear in mind that there will be a significant amount of swelling and redness along with this, making the results appear much more extreme for the first few days.
This swelling should reduce within a couple of days. However, you should prepare yourself for some mild discomfort following the procedure, plus some bruising and tenderness.
After just over a week, you should find that your lips have settled, and the final results will be apparent. They will have volume and perhaps defined cupid’s bow you’re looking for, adding both height and plumpness.
If you’re happy with the results, we recommend undergoing maintenance appointments to keep up their appearance. Some people have a second appointment six months after their initial treatment, but lip fillers can last up to 18 months. You can book in earlier if you simply want to add some extra volume.

Top tips
- Have an ice pack on hand to reduce discomfort, bruising and swelling following your treatment – you’ll thank us later for this.
- Remember that your natural lip shape can play a part in the end result. Small lips may not have as much ‘give’ in them, as there isn’t as much room for the filler. This is why you may need some top-up treatments if you want a big change, giving your lips time to stretch.
- If you have uneven teeth, this can alter the appearance of your lips – both with and without filler. Speak to a dentist first if you think your teeth may be affecting how your lips look, as this will only look more prominent as you get more filler.
Did you know?
- There’s no denying that lip fillers are a very common procedure. In fact, a study showed that over half of the 51,000 respondents said they viewed treatments such as fillers as comparable to getting a haircut.
- There are different types of lip filler on the market, the most popular of which is made from naturally occurring hyaluronic acid or collagen. Both are known for their plumping powers and moisturising effects.
FAQs
Use our clinic locator to book your treatment – and choose between paying online, paying in-clinic, or splitting payments into four equal instalments with Tabby.

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