Injectables
Lip fillers in Clarks Summit and Scranton, PA - for natural results, placed by a physician.
Lip fillers at The Summit Aesthetics are physician-injected hyaluronic acid gels used to gently enhance lip volume, define the lip border, correct asymmetry, and soften fine lines around the mouth. Every lip filler injection at our Clarks Summit medical spa – which also serves patients across Scranton, Abington, Dunmore, and the wider NEPA area – is performed personally by our physician-owner, Dr. Charles Dennis. Most patients start with a single syringe (about 1 mL) of Juvéderm Volbella XC, Juvéderm Ultra XC, or an RHA product, and results typically last 9 to 12 months. You will see immediate volume with peak swelling at 24 to 72 hours; the final “settled” look appears at 2 to 4 weeks. Your complimentary consultation includes a full-lip assessment and a written plan you take home – there is no obligation to book.
Duration
15 minutes per area
Downtime
None
Results
Initial results appear quickly; maximum effect around 12 weeks
Sessions
Typically 1–2 sessions per area
Ready to begin
The "natural results" conversation
Most patients who come to us for lip fillers open the consultation with some version of the same sentence: “I want lip fillers but I don’t want them to look like lip fillers.” That is the entire tension of the treatment.
The result you don’t want – the overdone, duck-lip, top-heavy look – is almost always a product of three things: too much product injected too fast, product placed at the wrong depth, and no attention to the patient’s natural lip proportions. It is not a product problem. It is a technique problem.
Our approach in Clarks Summit is deliberately conservative on the first visit. Dr. Dennis places a smaller volume than most patients think they need, respects your existing lip anatomy, and invites you back for a follow-up at two to four weeks to reassess. If more is warranted, we add. If the result is where you wanted it, we stop. It is much easier to add than to correct – that is the entire philosophy behind our first-visit dosing.
What lip fillers are and how they work
Lip fillers are gel-based injectables made from hyaluronic acid – the same HA molecule your body already produces naturally. HA holds up to 1,000 times its weight in water, which is what gives well-placed lip filler its soft, hydrated look and feel.
When Dr. Dennis places lip filler, he’s doing one or more of the following, depending on your goals: gently increasing the volume of the upper or lower lip, defining the vermillion border (the natural edge of the lip), correcting side-to-side asymmetry, restoring volume that has been lost with age, or softening vertical fine lines around the mouth (perioral lines or “smoker’s lines”).
The technique for lip augmentation is genuinely different from other dermal filler areas. The lips have more nerve endings, more blood vessels, and a thinner, more sensitive skin envelope than the mid-face. Product selection, injection depth, needle vs. cannula choice, and pacing all matter more here than almost anywhere else on the face – which is one of the reasons we do not delegate lip filler at The Summit Aesthetics.
Which lip filler product is right for me?
There is no single “best” lip filler product. There is only the right product for your specific goal, your existing anatomy, and how you want your lips to move and feel. We carry the two most-established HA product families for lip augmentation – the Juvéderm collection by Allergan and the RHA collection by Revance.
Your goal
Product options we may recommend
Subtle first-time enhancement, softer feel
Juvéderm Volbella XC, RHA Redensity
Moderate volume with lip-border definition
Juvéderm Ultra XC, RHA 2
More noticeable augmentation with structure
Juvéderm Vollure XC (blended technique), RHA 3
Perioral fine lines (“smoker’s lines”)
Juvéderm Volbella XC, RHA Redensity
Correcting asymmetry only
Product selection depends on which side needs volume vs. structure
Restoring volume lost with age
Juvéderm Volbella XC or Ultra XC, plus consideration for lip flip (see below)
Dr. Dennis will confirm the right product for you during your consultation. In most cases, your first-time lip filler treatment will use a single syringe (about 1 mL) split between the upper and lower lip in proportions matched to your natural anatomy – not a formula.
Lip fillers vs. lip flip - which one do you need?
One of the most common questions we hear at our Clarks Summit medical spa is whether a patient should get lip fillers, a lip flip, or both. They are entirely different treatments that produce different results.
details
Lip fillers
Lip flip
What it is
Hyaluronic acid gel injected into the lips to add volume, definition, and shape
A small dose of Botox (or Daxxify) placed along the upper lip border to relax the muscle that pulls the lip inward
What it does
Adds volume you can see and feel
Rolls the upper lip slightly outward, showing more of the pink of the lip when smiling
Volume change
Real, physical volume added
No actual volume added – optical change only
Duration
9 to 12 months
2 to 3 months (shorter than a standard Botox area)
Best fit for
Patients who want more lip volume, definition, or symmetry
Patients who have thin lips only when smiling, or who show too much upper gum (“gummy smile”)
Downtime
Real swelling and possible bruising
None
Price
Higher (full syringe)
Lower (small Botox dose)
Some patients combine both – a conservative first-time lip filler treatment paired with a lip flip to enhance shape without adding a second syringe of filler. Dr. Dennis performs both treatments personally. If you’re not sure which is right for your face, that’s what the consultation is for. Learn more about our Botox page →.
What to expect at your lip filler appointment
01
Body assessment
Complimentary, 45 to 60 minutes. Dr. Dennis assesses your natural lip anatomy, discusses your goals in specifics rather than generalities ("I want subtle" is not enough - we'll look at reference photos, discuss which direction of change matters most, and confirm what "natural" means for your face), reviews your medical history, and builds a written plan.
02
Treatment (injection appointment)
30 to 45 minutes total. Topical numbing is applied for 15 to 20 minutes before injection. Every filler product we use also contains lidocaine mixed into the gel, which numbs the tissue further as the injection proceeds. Most patients describe the experience as manageable, not painful.
03
Technique
Depending on your anatomy and goals, Dr. Dennis will use a fine needle, a blunt-tip microcannula, or both. Microcannula is often preferred for lip filler because it reduces bruising and lowers vascular occlusion risk in the highly vascular lip tissue.
04
Immediately after
Your lips will look fuller than the final result - that is swelling, not filler. This is the single most-common source of new-patient concern in the first 48 hours, so we'll say it plainly: what you see the day of treatment and what you see at four weeks are different things.
05
Peak swelling
24 to 72 hours after treatment. Most patients report it settles noticeably by day 3 or 4.
06
Settling
Full settling at 2 to 4 weeks. This is when you see your final look. Do not judge the result before then.
07
Follow-up
Two to four weeks after your treatment, we invite you back for a complimentary review. If more product is warranted, we add. If not, we don't.
How long do lip fillers last?
Most patients see their lip filler last 9 to 12 months. That range is meaningfully shorter than filler in low-motion areas like the cheeks or temples – because the lips are constantly moving. Every time you talk, eat, laugh, drink from a straw, or kiss, your lips metabolize a small amount of filler.
Factors that shift where you land in the 9-to-12 month range:
Product selection.
Some products are formulated for longer wear than others. Volbella tends to last on the longer end of the range; softer products metabolize faster.
Volume placed.
A conservative first treatment metabolizes faster proportionally than a fuller treatment. Patients who maintain results with periodic top-ups often see the "base" gradually build up over multiple visits.
Metabolic rate.
Highly active patients and younger patients tend to metabolize HA faster.
Lifestyle
Frequent sauna, heavy sun exposure, and high alcohol consumption all appear to shorten HA filler duration modestly.
Most patients who want to maintain their result plan a top-up appointment every 9 to 12 months. Some patients prefer to fully metabolize their filler and start fresh each time – both approaches are fine.
Lip filler aftercare - the honest version
Lip filler aftercare is more restrictive than most people expect, and the first 24 to 72 hours can be surprisingly swollen. Both are worth knowing before you book.
For the first 24 hours
- Avoid touching, rubbing, or massaging your lips (unless Dr. Dennis specifically instructs otherwise)
- Skip strenuous exercise, saunas, and hot yoga
- Avoid alcohol – this really does increase bruising and swelling
- Avoid drinking through a straw (the sucking motion pressures the injection sites)
- Skip lipstick, lip gloss, and lip balm on the injection sites
- Sleep on your back if you can
For the first 2 weeks
- Avoid dental work (both routine cleanings and any invasive procedures). This is a documented interaction and worth planning around – schedule your dental appointment before your lip filler, not after.
- Skip other injectable treatments in the lip area
- Continue to be gentle with the area – no aggressive lip scrubs, deep pressure, or facial massage on the lips
What is normal after lip filler
- Significant swelling peaking at 24 to 72 hours – this is the biggest emotional hurdle for first-time patients
- Bruising at injection sites (1 to 7 days typically, longer possible)
- Palpable small firmness or “lumps” as the product settles (2 to 4 weeks to fully soften)
- Slight asymmetry that resolves as swelling settles – do not judge the result before day 14
- Tenderness at injection sites for a few days
When to plan your treatment
If you have a specific event – wedding, photograph, reunion, work presentation – plan your lip filler at least 3 to 4 weeks before, ideally 4. That gives swelling time to settle and bruising time to resolve. Do not book lip filler the week of a major event.
When to call us
Sudden severe pain, skin color changes (blanching, blueness, mottling), asymmetry that worsens rather than improves, or any concern about circulation. Rare, but requires prompt attention. Call (570) 585-0201.
Can lip fillers be dissolved?
Yes. Every lip filler product we use at The Summit Aesthetics is hyaluronic-acid-based, which means it can be dissolved with an enzyme called hyaluronidase if needed. That is genuinely important for lip filler specifically – because if a patient is unhappy with the result, if the filler is placed asymmetrically, or in the rare event of a vascular emergency, there is a proven reversal option.
Hyaluronidase is used clinically for lip filler in three situations: vascular emergencies (rare but time-sensitive), unhappy aesthetic results (over-filled, top-heavy, or migrated filler), and persistent nodules that don’t soften over time. Depending on the product and how much needs to be dissolved, one or two hyaluronidase sessions are usually sufficient.
Why "physician-injected" matters more for lip filler
If physician-level injection matters for Botox and it matters more for facial fillers, it matters most for lip fillers. The lips are the most vascular, most nerve-dense, most technique-sensitive area on the entire face for injectable treatment.
Every syringe of lip filler at The Summit Aesthetics is placed by Dr. Charles Dennis personally. The same physician-owner who runs our practice in Clarks Summit and cares for patients across the Scranton and NEPA area is the one performing your lip augmentation. There is no delegation, no rotating injector, and no “second-provider” tier. The person who assesses your lips at consultation is the person who places the product.
Specifically for lip filler, physician-level injection means:
- Vascular anatomy training. The labial arteries run just beneath the vermillion border. Knowing where they are – and how to avoid them – is anatomy, not marketing. A vascular event in the lip is one of the highest-consequence complications in medical aesthetics.
- Judgment on volume restraint. A physician who owns the practice and does every injection is not incentivized to upsell. The right answer for many first-time lip filler patients is “less than you think you need.” That answer requires clinical judgment, not commission structure.
- Complication management. If a vascular event occurs, the person who placed the injection must recognize it immediately and treat it immediately with hyaluronidase. A physician-level provider is trained to do both.
- Consistency across visits. Dr. Dennis remembers exactly what he placed last time. That memory produces a better result at the 12-month top-up than a first-time-meeting-you result would.
Are lip fillers safe? Who should not get lip filler?
HA lip fillers have a well-documented safety record when performed by a qualified provider. Most side effects are minor, expected, and temporary. Serious complications are rare, especially with physician-level technique in a clinical medical spa setting.
Common, minor, and expected
- Swelling peaking at 24 to 72 hours (more pronounced than facial filler in other areas)
- Bruising at injection sites (1 to 7 days typically)
- Tenderness for a few days
- Small palpable firmness that softens as product settles
- Mild asymmetry during the swelling window that resolves by day 14
Uncommon, generally manageable
- Prolonged swelling beyond 14 days
- Persistent nodules (usually dissolvable with hyaluronidase)
- Cold sore reactivation in patients with a history (worth discussing at consultation if applicable – prophylactic antiviral is available)
- Delayed hypersensitivity reaction (rare)
Serious but rare – vascular occlusion
The most serious complication of any dermal filler is vascular occlusion – when filler enters or compresses a blood vessel and blocks blood flow to surrounding tissue. This is one reason lip filler technique matters so much: the labial arteries are close to common injection sites. In experienced physician hands the risk is low, and when it occurs and is recognized immediately, it can usually be treated with hyaluronidase to restore blood flow. Physician-level anatomy training reduces the risk. Physician-level clinical training improves recognition and response if it happens. Both are reasons we do not delegate lip filler at our Clarks Summit medical spa.
Who should not get lip filler
- Anyone pregnant or breastfeeding
- Anyone with an active cold sore or oral herpes outbreak (wait until fully resolved)
- Anyone with a known hyaluronic acid or lidocaine allergy
- Anyone with an active skin infection near the injection sites
- Anyone with a bleeding disorder or currently on blood thinners without prescriber clearance
- Anyone with recent dental work in the past 2 weeks, or planning dental work in the next 2 weeks
Frequently asked questions
Questions our patients ask most
How much do lip fillers cost in Clarks Summit, PA?
Lip fillers are priced per syringe at The Summit Aesthetics. Most first-time patients start with one syringe (approximately 1 mL). Product choice – Juvéderm Volbella, Juvéderm Ultra, or an RHA product – affects the price. Dr. Dennis will provide a specific plan and total during your complimentary consultation. Call (570) 585-0201 to schedule.
How long do lip fillers last?
Most patients see their lip filler last 9 to 12 months. Lip filler metabolizes faster than filler in low-motion areas like the cheeks or temples because the lips are constantly moving. Duration also depends on product selection, dose, and your metabolic rate.
How much do lip fillers hurt?
Most patients describe the discomfort as manageable, not painful. Dr. Dennis applies topical numbing before treatment, and every lip filler product also contains lidocaine mixed into the gel that numbs the tissue further as the injection proceeds. Dr. Dennis often uses a blunt-tip microcannula instead of a needle for lip filler – more comfortable, less bruising, and lower vascular risk in the highly vascular lip tissue.
What's the difference between lip filler and a lip flip?
A lip filler is a hyaluronic acid gel injected into the lips to add real volume, definition, and shape – lasting 9 to 12 months. A lip flip is a small dose of Botox (or Daxxify) placed along the upper lip border that relaxes the muscle pulling the lip inward, making the pink of the lip roll slightly outward when smiling. A lip flip adds no actual volume and lasts 2 to 3 months. Some patients combine both.
How can I make sure my lip fillers look natural?
Conservative first-time dosing, correct product selection for your anatomy, physician-level technique, and honest communication about your goals. If you leave the consultation being told exactly the result you asked for without any assessment of your existing anatomy, you are being sold. If you leave with a written plan that respects your natural proportions, you are being cared for. That is the difference.
Can I get lip fillers if I have thin lips?
Yes. Patients with naturally thin lips are among the most common candidates for lip augmentation. The approach is typically to start with a conservative first treatment (usually a softer product like Volbella), see how the lips respond, and gradually build volume over multiple visits if that’s the goal.
Can I dissolve lip fillers if I don't like the result?
Yes. All lip fillers we use at The Summit Aesthetics are hyaluronic-acid-based and can be dissolved with hyaluronidase, an FDA-approved enzyme. Depending on how much filler needs to be dissolved and which product was used, one or two sessions are usually sufficient. Softer products (like Volbella) dissolve faster than firmer ones.
When can I schedule lip filler around a big event?
Plan your appointment at least 3 to 4 weeks before any event where you want to look your best. That gives swelling time to fully settle and any bruising time to resolve. Do not book lip filler the week of a major event – the swelling peaks at 24 to 72 hours and can be significant.
Ready to begin
Book your lip filler consultation
Every new lip filler patient begins with a complimentary consultation with Dr. Dennis. The consultation includes a full-lip aesthetic assessment, a review of your goals in specifics rather than generalities, and a written treatment plan. There is no fee, no card required, and no obligation to book treatment.
Investment
Custom pricing at consult
Financing
From ~$25/mo · Cherry 0% APR
Member savings
Save 10–20% →
The Summit Aesthetics
116 North State Street Clarks Summit, PA 18411 | Serving Scranton, Abington, Dunmore, Kingston, Wilkes-Barre, and the wider NEPA region
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The Summit Aesthetics
Serving Clarks Summit, Scranton, Kingston, and Northeastern Pennsylvania with physician-led aesthetic care in a calm, elevated setting.
Address
116 North State Street, Clarks Summit, PA 18411
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Phone
(570) 585-0201
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