You look in the mirror and think, “My bottom lip is perfect, but that top one could use a little love.” If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. While social media is full of full-mouth makeovers, plenty of people ask for a subtle tweak to only one lip. Thanks to today’s precise lip injections and fillers, treating a single lip—upper or lower—is doable, and often the most innovative way to create natural harmony.

How Do Lip Fillers Work?

Most modern lip fillers are gels composed of synthetic hyaluronic acid (HA), a sugar that your body naturally produces to keep skin hydrated. Once a tiny needle or flexible cannula places the gel along the lip border or body, HA binds water molecules, adding instant volume and definition. The process takes about 20–30 minutes, and swelling typically calms within a week. The results last six to twelve months before the product breaks down naturally. Popular brands—such as Juvéderm and Restylane—come in different viscosities, allowing your injector to match the softness or structure to each patient’s specific goal. 

Is Getting Lip Filler in One Lip Common?

It’s more common than you’d guess. Experienced injectors field daily requests to plump a thin upper lip, correct a scarred corner, or balance left-right differences created by genetics or dental work. Cosmetic experts emphasize that “less is more” when symmetry, not sheer size, is the priority—precisely what single-lip sessions deliver.

Why Only Get One Lip Filler?

  • Proportion over volume: If just one lip feels flat, adding product everywhere can make the mouth look bulky instead of balanced.
  • Budget & downtime: One-lip treatments use roughly half the product and typically cost less, with reduced swelling plus faster back-to-Zoom time.
  • Event-ready fixes: Have engagement photos next week? A focused touch-up keeps results subtle and swelling minimal.
  • Medical or trauma repair: Injuries, cleft lip repairs, or nerve issues may cause a single lip to shrink; targeted HA filler restores symmetry without unnecessary injections elsewhere.

Is It Better to Get Lip Filler in Both Lips?

Sometimes, especially when global balance is the goal. Our eyes perceive beauty in ratios: the ideal lower lip is typically about one-third fuller than the upper lip. If your injector plumps only the top but leaves the bottom unchanged, the mouth can suddenly flip that ratio and look off. For that reason, clinicians often suggest a “micro-dose”—as little as 0.2 mL—in the untreated lip so both features remain in sync. Ultimately, the decision rests on three factors:

  • Current anatomy: Does the untouched lip already meet aesthetic ideals?
  • Existing product: Residual filler from past visits may mean one lip is still perfect.
  • Personal style: Some people aim for a dramatic look, while others opt for a barely-there polish. Lip injections and fillers should flex with individual taste, not force a template.

Conclusion

Single-lip augmentation is a safe, artful option—provided you choose a provider who treats beauty in millimeters, not miles. In the Seattle-Bellevue area, that meticulous eye belongs to Dr. Philip Young, double board-certified facial plastic surgeon and founder of Aesthetic Facial & Body Plastic Surgery. Renowned for his award-winning “Circles of Prominence” theory and thousands of happy patients, Dr. Young and his team custom-tailor every syringe so your refreshed smile looks naturally you, whether that means one lip or both.