LIP FILLERS
MAIDSTONE KENT

Here's what you need to know. Lip fillers use hyaluronic acid, or HA, a molecule your body already makes naturally. It lives in your skin, your joints, even your eyes.

What makes it brilliant for lips? HA binds to water molecules like a magnet, attracting up to 1,000 times its weight in moisture.

In my cardiac days, I worked with medications that had to be biocompatible with human tissue. Same principle here. HA fillers integrate beautifully because your body recognizes them. They're not foreign. They're simply adding more of what you already have.

At Juvenology, I use only premium, FDA and CE-approved fillers. No shortcuts. Ever.

Let me explain the science. When I inject hyaluronic acid into your lips, it doesn't just sit there like a blob of gel. It integrates into the tissue matrix, binding water molecules and creating hydration from within. This plumps the lips gradually and naturally.

The filler also stimulates a subtle inflammatory response. Now, before you panic, this is a good thing. It triggers your body's natural collagen production over time. So you're not just getting immediate volume, you're supporting long-term skin quality.

Anatomically speaking, I'm working with multiple tissue layers. The vermillion border, the body of the lip, the philtral columns. Each layer requires different placement depths and different filler consistencies. That's where precision matters.

Me. Nurse Marina.

I'm an NMC-registered nurse with 8 years in aesthetics, but here's what really matters. Before I ever touched a syringe of filler, I spent 6 years as a cardiac nurse at KIMS Hospital. I learned anatomy by mapping coronary vessels, understanding perfusion, recognizing vascular complications before they became emergencies.

Why does this matter for your lips? Because facial anatomy is vascular anatomy. The superior labial artery runs right through your upper lip. The inferior labial artery feeds the lower. If I don't know exactly where those vessels are, I have no business injecting filler.

I'm also BACN registered, JCCP verified, ACE Group registered, and a Royal College of Nursing member. But honestly? My cardiac background is what makes me sleep well at night. I know what I'm looking at. I know what safe technique looks like.

Plan for 45 minutes to an hour.

That's not just injection time. We'll start with a proper medical consultation. I'll assess your anatomy, map your facial proportions, discuss your goals.

Then we'll move to treatment. The actual injections take maybe 15 to 20 minutes, depending on technique. After that, I'll give you comprehensive aftercare guidance and make sure you're comfortable before you leave.

I don't rush treatments. Precision takes time.

I get this question in every consultation. You'll feel something, yes. Pressure. A pinch. Maybe a slight sting.

But here's what I do to minimize discomfort. First, I apply a medical-grade topical anaesthetic. It needs about 15 minutes to work properly, which is why we start your appointment with consultation. By the time we're ready to inject, your lips are beautifully numb.

Second, the fillers themselves contain lidocaine. That's a local anaesthetic mixed into the gel. So as I'm injecting, you're getting additional numbing from the inside.

Most patients tell me it's far less uncomfortable than they expected. The anticipation is often worse than the reality.

Typically 6 to 12 months. But here's the thing, everyone metabolizes filler differently.

Your metabolism, your lifestyle, your body's enzyme activity, these all affect longevity. Active metabolisms break down HA faster. If you're a runner or gym enthusiast, your results might fade closer to the 6-month mark. If you have a slower metabolism, you might stretch it to a year.

The type of filler matters too. Different brands have different cross-linking technologies. Some resist breakdown better than others. I'll recommend the right product for your goals during consultation.

Most of my patients come back once or twice a year for maintenance. That keeps results fresh and balanced.

Most patients walk out and get on with their day. Seriously.

You'll have some swelling. That's normal and expected. Your lips might feel tender for 24 to 48 hours. Think of it like a mild bruise. If you do bruise, and not everyone does, it typically resolves within 3 to 5 days.

Here's my nursing advice. Ice helps with swelling. Arnica can minimize bruising if you start it a few days before treatment. Avoid alcohol, intense exercise, and very hot environments for 24 hours post-treatment.

But yes, you can absolutely return to work. I've had patients come in during lunch breaks.

Let me be very clear. My goal is never to change your face.

My approach is anatomically driven. I'm looking at your facial thirds, your lip proportions, the relationship between your upper and lower lip. The golden ratio exists for a reason. When lips are balanced and proportionate to your other features, they look natural. When they're overfilled or disproportionate, they look artificial.

In my cardiac days, I learned that protocols exist because they work. Same principle here. There are evidence-based guidelines for lip augmentation. I follow them. I don't chase trends. I don't replicate celebrity lips. I enhance YOUR lips based on YOUR anatomy.

This varies enormously. Some patients need 0.5ml. Others need 1ml. Occasionally, someone needs more.

During consultation, I'll assess your natural lip volume, symmetry, and proportions. I'll also ask about your goals. Are you restoring volume you've lost over time? Are you correcting asymmetry? Are you adding definition to naturally thin lips?

Here's my philosophy. Start conservatively. You can always add more. You cannot easily take away.

I'd rather build your results gradually over two appointments than overfill you in one. That's how you get natural, proportionate results that last.

I appreciate this question. It shows you're taking this seriously.

Common side effects: swelling, redness, tenderness, bruising. These are temporary and expected. They're not complications. They're normal tissue responses to injection.

Rare but possible complications: vascular occlusion. This happens if filler accidentally blocks a blood vessel. It's a medical emergency requiring immediate treatment with hyaluronidase to dissolve the filler and restore blood flow.

How rare is it? Very. But it's the reason I obsess over anatomy. In my cardiac nursing days, I learned that knowing your vasculature can literally save lives. In aesthetics, knowing exactly where the superior and inferior labial arteries run, where the angular artery branches, where anastomoses exist, this is what prevents complications.

Every treatment I perform follows evidence-based protocols. I use aspiration techniques. I inject slowly. I watch for vascular compromise. I'm trained to recognize early warning signs and respond immediately.

Safety is non-negotiable.

Yes. Hyaluronic acid fillers are completely reversible.

There's an enzyme called hyaluronidase. It breaks down HA almost immediately. If you're genuinely unhappy with your result, or if there's a medical reason to remove the filler, I can dissolve it.

This is why I only use HA fillers. Other filler types, permanent or semi-permanent options, cannot be reversed. They're stuck in your face. Literally.

That said, most patients don't need reversal. They need time. Swelling can make lips look larger initially. Give yourself a week before you judge your result. Let the tissue settle.

Most healthy adults are suitable candidates. But there are contraindications.

I won't treat you if you're pregnant or breastfeeding. The evidence on filler safety during pregnancy isn't robust enough. I won't risk it.

I won't treat active skin infections, cold sores, or inflammatory conditions around the mouth. The tissue needs to be healthy.

I'll be cautious if you have severe allergies, particularly to lidocaine or hyaluronic acid. I'll also assess any bleeding disorders or medications that affect clotting.

This is why we start with a medical consultation. I need your full health history. I'm a nurse. I take medical screening seriously.

Pricing depends on the amount of filler used and your individual treatment plan.

Prices start at £150 but I'll give you transparent pricing during consultation, with absolutely no obligation to proceed. I'm not here to pressure you. I'm here to educate you and help you make an informed decision.

What I will say: quality costs. The fillers I use are premium products from established manufacturers. My training is extensive and ongoing. My insurance is comprehensive. My protocols are evidence-based.

You're not just paying for filler. You're paying for anatomical expertise, medical safety, and someone who genuinely cares about getting it right.

You can book directly online or get in touch for more information.

Book online: juvenology-clinic.book.app/book-now Email: office@juvenology.co.uk

Every treatment starts with a full medical consultation. That's where we'll discuss your goals, assess your anatomy, and create a treatment plan that's right for you.