A CLOSER LOOK
The lip collection.
Look at the shape. The profile. The details.
Individual results vary.
PETRO / THE ILLUSTRATED GUIDES
THE LIPS EDITION
Lips are to your face
what shoes are to an outfit.
They can change the whole impression. That doesn’t mean they need to be the biggest thing in the room.
The lip issue in the Library ↗What are you actually missing?
I hear the fear of overfilled lips. I also hear the wish for a little more shape, a little more definition, or the lips you remember having. Those are very different requests from “make them big.”
Maybe lipstick used to have a clearer place to stop. Maybe your top lip seems to disappear when you smile. Maybe you like your lips and just want a touch. Start there. Tell me what you see.
The shape comes before the syringe.
Look at the outline, the center, the corners. Then turn to the side. Your lips belong to a whole face, and they move when you talk and smile. A close-up is useful. It isn’t the entire picture.
A photograph of yourself when you loved your lips tells us something useful. A photograph of someone else tells us what catches your eye. It doesn’t give you their anatomy.
A little science. Then back to your face.
Hyaluronic acid lip fillers are gels that add volume. HA occurs naturally in the body; the filler itself is a manufactured product. It can help restore fullness and refine the border. It cannot fix every line or every change around the mouth.
The amount is part of the plan, not the starting point. More volume is not automatically a better shape. We can talk about what is possible, what would be too much, and whether filler belongs in the plan at all.
Bring your history, too.
Previous filler counts, even if it was years ago. So does dissolving. Bring product names and dates if you have them, and tell us about cold sores, allergies, medicines and supplements. Don’t stop a prescription on your own.
Pregnancy, breastfeeding or an active infection can change the conversation. Filler safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding has not been established.
YOUR LIPS HAVE A CALENDAR
Don’t judge them
on day one.
01 / THE APPOINTMENT
Let’s talk before we treat.
The product, the plan, the price and the follow-up should be clear before you decide. Numbing can help with comfort; pressure or stinging is still possible.
02 / THE EARLY DAYS
Swelling gets a vote.
Lips can feel tender and look fuller at first. Bruising happens, too. That first mirror check is not the final result. Leave breathing room before a wedding, photographs or a big event.
03 / THE SETTLED LOOK
Then we look again.
Swelling often improves over several days; full settling can take two to four weeks. Follow the aftercare instructions we give you. Let things heal before making a decision about more.
THE QUESTIONS BEHIND THE POUT
You’re allowed
to ask.
Especially the question you think sounds vain. This is your face.
Will everyone know?
Wanting a change and wanting to look obviously treated are not the same thing. Tell me how much change feels comfortable. We can discuss the shape and the profile, but I won’t promise that nobody will notice—or promise perfect symmetry.
How long will they last?
HA filler is temporary. How long it lasts depends on the product, the area and the person. A calendar reminder is not, by itself, a reason for another syringe. Look at what is still there.
What if I already have lips I don’t like?
Let’s figure out what you’re seeing before adding anything. Swelling, the original placement and migration are different possibilities. A photograph alone doesn’t settle that question. Bring your earlier pictures and treatment history.
Can we just dissolve it?
Sometimes HA filler can be reduced with hyaluronidase. That is another treatment, with its own risks—not an undo button. Other filler materials may be difficult to remove. First, we need to know what is there. More about fillers ↗
What will it cost?
You should know the total before treatment, including what follow-up or adjustments are included. Let’s decide what makes sense for your lips, then make the price clear.
What can go wrong?
Bruising, swelling and tenderness are common. Lumps, infection, allergic reactions and delayed inflammation can happen. Rarely, filler can block a blood vessel and cause tissue damage, vision loss or stroke. A small treatment is still a medical procedure. We need to talk about the risks as well as the result.
Something feels wrong?
Unusual or worsening pain, or white, gray or blue skin after filler, needs immediate medical attention. Don’t wait for your next appointment. Vision changes or stroke symptoms are an emergency: call 911.
MELANIE PETRO MD / THE LIPS EDITION
Show me what you see.
What do you miss? What do you love? What are you afraid we’ll change?
That’s where we start.
Petro Facial Plastic Surgery · 903 Montgomery Highway · Vestavia Hills, AL 35216