Lip Fillers in Rapid City, SD
At LiveWell Medical Aesthetics in Rapid City, SD, lip fillers are one of our most requested services. Performed by Courtney Vesely, FNP-C, and our licensed nursing team, lip filler treatments at LiveWell use FDA-approved hyaluronic acid fillers — Juvederm, Restylane, and RHA — to add volume, define the lip border, correct asymmetry, or restore fullness that time has reduced.
Unlike neuromodulators, which relax muscles, lip fillers physically add volume and shape. Results are immediate and customizable. We start conservatively and build to your goal, and every syringe is fully reversible with hyaluronidase if you ever change your mind.
What Can Lip Fillers Do?
Lip fillers are not one-size-fits-all. During your consultation at LiveWell, Courtney or a team member will ask what you are hoping to change before any product is selected. Common goals our patients bring to us include:
Hyaluronic acid filler restores or creates fullness for patients whose lips have always been naturally thin or have become thinner with age.
Filler placed along the vermilion border (the edge between the lip and the surrounding skin) creates sharper definition and reduces the appearance of feathering lines around the mouth.
Most lips are naturally uneven. Targeted placement can balance the upper and lower lip or correct left-right differences that become more noticeable with age.
Volume loss in the lips and the area around the mouth is a normal part of aging. Fillers replace what time has reduced without changing the fundamental character of your face.
The lip flip is a separate treatment that uses Botox, not filler, to relax the muscle above the upper lip and give it a subtly more visible appearance. It is a good option for patients who want a minimal change without adding volume.
The Lip Fillers We Use at LiveWell
All lip filler treatments at LiveWell use FDA-approved hyaluronic acid fillers. Hyaluronic acid occurs naturally in the body, integrates smoothly into lip tissue, and is fully reversible if needed. We carry three brands:
The Juvederm family includes Volbella (subtle hydration and border definition, up to 12 months) and Ultra (fuller volume, 6 to 9 months). Both contain lidocaine for comfort during treatment.
Restylane Kysse is specifically formulated for the lips, with a flexible gel that moves naturally with facial expression. Duration is typically 6 to 9 months.
RHA (Resilient Hyaluronic Acid) fillers are designed to stretch and recoil with facial movement. RHA Redensity is approved specifically for perioral (around the mouth) lines and early lip softening. A good option for patients wanting subtle, movement-compatible results.
The right product depends on your anatomy, your goals, and how much volume change you are looking for. Courtney will recommend the appropriate option at your consultation.
How Long Do Lip Fillers Last?
Lip filler duration depends on the product used, the area treated, your metabolism, and lifestyle factors.
Up to 12 months. Formulated for the lips and perioral area, with a lighter texture that integrates well in this mobile area.
6 to 9 months. A fuller-volume formula; typically metabolized more quickly due to the higher volume of product.
6 to 9 months. Designed to flex with lip movement, which affects how quickly the body processes it.
6 to 12 months depending on placement and patient.
Factors that affect duration include your individual metabolism, how active you are, sun exposure, and whether you have had filler in this area before. Many patients find that results last longer after repeated treatments, as some structural support builds up over time.
What to Expect at Your Lip Filler Appointment
A lip filler appointment at LiveWell typically takes 30 to 45 minutes from start to finish, including your consultation, preparation, and the treatment itself.
Your injector will review your goals and assess your lip anatomy. A topical numbing cream is applied for 15 to 20 minutes before any injections begin. Most fillers also contain lidocaine, which provides additional comfort during placement.
Filler is placed using a fine needle or microcannula at multiple points along the lip border and body. You may feel mild pressure or a brief pinch. Most patients are comfortable throughout.
Mild swelling is normal and peaks in the first 24 to 48 hours. Most patients look and feel normal within a few days. Final results are visible at around two weeks, once all swelling has settled.
Lip filler requires little to no downtime. Most patients return to normal activities the same day.
Aftercare After Lip Fillers
Avoid strenuous exercise, excessive heat (saunas, hot yoga, steam rooms), and alcohol. Do not massage or press on the treated area.
Avoid dental procedures that require significant stretching of the mouth. Protect the area from sun exposure.
Meet Your Provider
Lip filler treatments at LiveWell Medical Aesthetics are performed by Courtney Vesely, FNP-C, MSN, RN, and our licensed nursing team.
Courtney is a Family Nurse Practitioner with over ten years of experience in aesthetic medicine, specializing in facial anatomy and natural-looking injectable results. South Dakota grants Nurse Practitioners full practice authority, meaning Courtney leads the practice independently.
Lip Filler vs. the Lip Flip: Which Is Right for You?
Patients often ask about both options when researching lip treatments, and the distinction matters:
These add physical volume and shape using hyaluronic acid. They are the right choice if you want more fullness, better definition, or a more significant change to your lip profile. Results are visible immediately.
It uses a small amount of Botox placed above the upper lip to relax the muscle and allow the lip to roll slightly outward, giving the impression of more volume without actually adding any. It is a good option for patients who want a subtle change or who are not ready for filler.
Both treatments are available at LiveWell. Your injector can discuss which fits your goals at your consultation.
Lip Fillers Frequently Asked Questions
Duration depends on the product used and your individual metabolism. Juvederm Volbella typically lasts up to 12 months. Juvederm Ultra, Restylane Kysse, and RHA Redensity typically last 6 to 9 months. Most patients schedule a maintenance appointment once or twice per year.
Most patients find lip fillers tolerable. We apply a topical numbing cream before the treatment, and the filler itself contains lidocaine, which provides additional comfort as it is injected. Some patients feel a brief pinch or mild pressure. The treatment is typically complete within 15 to 20 minutes.
Most lip filler treatments use 0.5 ml to 1 ml of product for a natural result. The amount depends on your current lip volume, your goals, and your facial proportions. Your injector will recommend a starting amount at your consultation. We always start conservatively; it is easier to add more than to remove.
Yes. All hyaluronic acid fillers — Juvederm, Restylane, and RHA — can be dissolved with an enzyme called hyaluronidase. Dissolution is fast, usually effective within 24 to 48 hours, and is an option we discuss with every first-time filler patient.
Lip fillers add physical volume using hyaluronic acid. A lip flip uses a small amount of Botox to relax the muscle above the upper lip, causing it to roll outward slightly. The lip flip does not add volume; it creates the appearance of more lip by changing how the lip sits at rest. Both treatments are available at LiveWell.
Most patients can wear lip products the day after their appointment. We recommend avoiding anything applied directly to the lips for the first few hours post-treatment to minimize infection risk and allow the product to settle.
At LiveWell, neuromodulators are used to treat forehead lines, frown lines (11s), crow's feet, brow lift, lip flip, jaw slimming and TMJ, neck bands, and excessive underarm sweating (hyperhidrosis). Additional areas can be discussed at your consultation.
Related Treatments
Dermal Fillers
Combine with Botox for more complete facial rejuvenation
Botox, Dysport, and Daxxify
Neuromodulators for dynamic wrinkles and the lip flip.
