Aesthetic Medicine

Lip filler: proportion before volume.

Beautiful lips are not necessarily bigger. They are hydrated, defined and in harmony with the rest of the face.

Helder Moreira
Helder Moreira  ·  14 October 2026  ·  2 min de leitura
Lábios naturais de mulher apoiados no ombro

In short

What it is

Lip filler uses hyaluronic acid, a gel that attracts water and that the body gradually reabsorbs. Because it can be dissolved with an enzyme (hyaluronidase), it is a safe, adjustable treatment — as long as a doctor performs it1,5.

Four possible goals2

Hydrate

Plumper-looking lips

For dry lips or fine lines, without changing size.

Define

Outline

Enhances the Cupid’s bow and lip border.

Balance

Symmetry

Corrects small differences between sides.

Volume

In proportion

Restores volume lost with age or adds it subtly.

The proportion rule

In a harmonious face, the lower lip is usually fuller than the upper. A classic reference is a ratio of about 1 to 1.64; in an aesthetic preference study, the ratio rated most attractive was 1 to 26. These are starting points, not strict rules: anatomy, ethnicity and personal style all matter.

Reference ratios4,6

Upper lip

1

Lower lip

1.6–2

Relative height of each lip, at rest.

How it works

From first visit to result

01

Assessment

We assess the face, teeth and smile and agree on expectations.

02

Treatment

About 30 minutes, with numbing cream and a product containing anaesthetic.

03

48–72 h

Swelling and sometimes small bruises — normal and temporary.

04

2 weeks

Final result and review, with any fine-tuning.

Usual aftercare advice

Do

Avoid for 24–48 hours

Although rare, vascular complications do happen1,7. That is why fillers should be done by doctors with in-depth knowledge of anatomy and the ability to act immediately.

A plan made for you.

Every face and every skin is different. Book an assessment: we review your case and design a personalised treatment plan with you, with realistic goals.

Helder Moreira

Written by

Helder Moreira

Physician accredited in Aesthetic Medicine · Portuguese Medical Association (Ordem dos Médicos) — licence no. 55532

Patient information

The procedures and treatments mentioned in this article require a prior individual medical assessment and, in some cases, a medical prescription. Indications, results and their duration vary from person to person and cannot be guaranteed. This article is for information only and does not replace a medical consultation.

For more information contact Facelab, Lda. on +351 961 023 229, by email at geral@facelab.pt, or visit www.facelab.pt.

  • FACELAB Albufeira — Rua do Estádio, Quinta da Bela Vista, Lote 2, 8200-127 Albufeira · ERS Registration Certificate: E172446 · Operating licence: 24619/2024
  • FACELAB Faro — Rua da PSP, n.º 22, 8000-408 Faro · ERS Registration Certificate: E180121 · Operating licence: 26536/2025

References

  1. Signorini M, Liew S, Sundaram H, et al. Global Aesthetics Consensus: avoidance and management of complications from hyaluronic acid fillers — evidence- and opinion-based review and consensus recommendations. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2016;137(6):961e–971e.
  2. Sundaram H, Liew S, Signorini M, et al. Global Aesthetics Consensus: hyaluronic acid fillers and botulinum toxin type A — recommendations for combined treatment and optimizing outcomes in diverse patient populations. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2016;137(5):1410–1423.
  3. Stojanovič L, Majdič N. Effectiveness and safety of hyaluronic acid fillers used to enhance overall lip fullness: a systematic review of clinical studies. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2019;18(2):436–443. doi:10.1111/jocd.12861
  4. Kar M, Muluk NB, Bafaqeeh SA, Cingi C. Is it possible to define the ideal lips? Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital. 2018;38(1):67–72. doi:10.14639/0392-100X-1511
  5. King M, Convery C, Davies E. The use of hyaluronidase in aesthetic practice (v2.4). J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2018;11(6):E61–E68.
  6. Popenko NA, Tripathi PB, Devcic Z, Karimi K, Osann K, Wong BJF. A quantitative approach to determining the ideal female lip aesthetic and its effect on facial attractiveness. JAMA Facial Plast Surg. 2017;19(4):261–267. doi:10.1001/jamafacial.2016.2049
  7. DeLorenzi C. Complications of injectable fillers, part 2: vascular complications. Aesthet Surg J. 2014;34(4):584–600.
author avatar
Helder Moreira