Q&A

First, we distinguish whether there is a lack of lip volume or if the mouth area appears horizontally short. Lip filler can be a useful option if there is insufficient volume, if the vermilion border is blurred, or if there is a volume difference between the left and right sides. Conversely, for tight lips with little mucosal laxity, adding filler may cause them to protrude like a duck bill rather than enlarging overall; furthermore, if there is sufficient volume but the lips appear horizontally short, or if the concern lies in the position and direction of the lip corners, other anatomical structures must be evaluated together. That does not mean everyone requires surgery, so during the consultation, we clearly explain what can and cannot be achieved with filler.

At Golden Diamant, we refer to a 4:6 ratio between the upper and lower lips, volume in the central area, and an angle of about 10° at the Cupid's bow as reference criteria for design. However, we do not apply this ratio uniformly to every face. For example, for someone with elegant eyes, a small nose, a round face shape, and a horizontally short yet plump lower lip, excessively injecting filler into the upper lip just to match the golden ratio can make only the lips stand out and disrupt overall facial harmony. Therefore, during a 1:1 consultation, we first listen to your face shape and desired volume and proportions, and then design within a natural, moderate range.

Because the lips are an area with many capillaries, we use fine and soft Juvederm line fillers for Cupid's Bow Lip Filler, and Juvederm or Belotero fillers with fine, uniform particles for the AU line filler. All procedures are strictly performed using genuine products and exact quantities, so please feel free to let us know at any time if you wish to verify them prior to the procedure. We use single-use microcannulas—which have blunt tips and disperse the product through the side of the needle—to minimize skin damage, and we never reuse single-use syringes that come into contact with the skin. Procedural supplies such as gauze and cotton are sterilized daily in an autoclave, and the injections are performed directly by a board-certified plastic surgeon who understands skin anatomy.

Cupid's Bow Lip Filler is performed after applying topical anesthetic cream (numbing cream), and the procedure takes 10~30 minutes. Injections are administered using a blunt-tipped, single-use microcannula to minimize skin damage. The results can be seen immediately after the procedure, and you can return to your daily routine right away. Minor bruising and swelling may occur after the procedure, but they will fade naturally over time. Results and recovery periods may vary depending on the individual.

Mild bruising and swelling may occur after the procedure and will subside naturally over time. Lip filler involves multiple injections and molding work, so it may initially appear overfilled due to swelling; however, the swelling typically subsides and the filler settles after 1~2 weeks. You may apply makeup or wash your face after 2~3 hours, and please avoid alcohol, smoking, saunas, meridian massage, and strenuous exercise for about 1 week. It is advisable to refrain from massages that press firmly on the treated area for about 2~3 days. The degree of swelling and bruising, as well as the recovery period, may vary depending on the individual.

Common side effects are bruising and bleeding, and if a blood vessel is affected, bruising can last for more than 1~2 weeks. If excessive volume is injected into lips with insufficient mucosal laxity, they may protrude and look like a duck beak. A very serious side effect is necrosis, which can occur if the filler blocks a blood vessel. If you have previously undergone lip surgery, the procedure requires greater caution, so please be sure to inform us beforehand. Hyaluronic acid fillers can be removed when necessary using a dissolving injection (hyaluronidase). However, since the lips may look enlarged immediately after the procedure due to swelling, we allow time for the filler to settle before making an assessment. The occurrence of side effects and recovery time may vary depending on the individual.

I am a board-certified plastic surgeon who has performed Lip & Perioral Surgery for more than 20 years, personally handling everything from consultation to treatment at Golden Diamant. Regarding filler and Botox, I have served as an instructor for Juvederm and Allergan Botox procedure training, as well as an instructor on fillers for medical professionals. I have presented on botulinum at the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons, and I published a clinical guide on Belotero lip procedures for medical practitioners. Even in educational settings, I place great importance on reviewing the course of blood vessels and injection depths together with my colleagues. This is because I believe that the trust that allows you to confidently entrust your face is just as important as the clinical results.