0.5 ml vs 1 ml lip filler: what is the difference?

How much is 0.5 ml and 1 ml of lip filler?

A teaspoon holds about 5 ml. So 1 ml of lip filler is roughly a fifth of a teaspoon, and 0.5 ml is roughly a tenth of a teaspoon. That sounds like very little, and it is. Even so, it is clearly visible in the lips, because lips are small, soft structures where a few tenths of a millilitre already make a difference.

The filler is also not placed in one spot, but spread over the upper and lower lip through several small injection points. With 0.5 ml, each lip often receives 0.2 to 0.3 ml. The difference between 0.5 ml and 1 ml is therefore usually a matter of millimetres, but in a face it is exactly those millimetres that you notice.

Almost all lip fillers are made of hyaluronic acid, for example from the brands Juvéderm, Stylage or Revolax. The gel is supple, so the lips keep feeling soft, and it can be dissolved if needed.

What does 0.5 ml lip filler look like, before and after?

With 0.5 ml of lip filler, the result looks fresh and well cared for in most people. The lip border becomes slightly more defined, the lips look hydrated and a little volume is added. People around you often notice that you look well, without immediately seeing that you have had a treatment.

0.5 ml is a good choice if you have natural to slightly thin lips and want to see how filler works for you, if you want to correct a small asymmetry, or if you want to maintain an earlier result. Besides the before and after photos on our lip filler page, the doctor shows examples during the consultation of what a given amount usually does.

What does 1 ml lip filler look like, before and after?

With 1 ml of lip filler, the result is clearly fuller. The lips gain more projection, meaning they come forward a little more, and the balance between the upper and lower lip can be improved. In people with naturally fuller lips or a wider face, 1 ml often still looks natural.

For a first treatment on thin lips, however, 1 ml in one go can be too much. The skin then has little room, so the lips can look tight or unnatural, and there is a greater chance that filler moves beyond the lip border. In that situation the doctor will usually advise starting with less.

What are the differences between 0.5 ml and 1 ml lip filler?

The table shows average expectations. The actual result depends on your lips, the product and the technique.

Who should start with 0.5 ml?

In practice, 0.5 ml is almost always a sensible starting point for a first treatment. This applies in particular if:

• you have never had lip filler and want to see how your lips respond;
• your lips are naturally thin, leaving little room for a lot of product at once;
• you mainly want a better outline or hydration rather than a big change in volume;
• you are worried that the result will look unnatural;
• you have had filler before that has not yet fully broken down.

Why is building up over several sessions often wiser?

The lips and surrounding tissue adapt gradually to extra volume. Building up in two rounds of 0.5 ml, at least 2 to 4 weeks apart, gives the tissue time to adjust. The final result therefore often looks softer and more natural than with 1 ml in one go, and after the first round you can calmly decide whether you are already happy.

To be fair: two sessions of 0.5 ml usually cost a little more than one session of 1 ml. On the other hand, you do not have more placed than you need. Many people find after the first 0.5 ml that they do not want any extra volume. If you have had filler before and know what suits you, 1 ml in one session can be a good choice.

How does swelling differ from the final result?

Right after treatment and in the first 24 to 48 hours, your lips are fuller than the final result. With 1 ml this swelling is often a little stronger than with 0.5 ml. Sometimes the swelling is uneven, so the lips temporarily look asymmetrical, or a bruise appears.

After about 3 to 5 days most of the swelling has gone, and after about 2 weeks you see the final result. So do not judge your lips on day one. People who are startled by 1 ml on the first day are often happy after two weeks, and people who think 0.5 ml looks like a lot on day one usually see a subtle result after two weeks.

What does 0.5 ml or 1 ml lip filler cost at Zalat Clinics?

At Zalat Clinics in Rotterdam-Zuid, 0.5 ml of lip filler costs from €125 with the basic product (Revolax) and from €160–170 with a premium product (Stylage or Juvéderm). For 1 ml of premium lip filler the price is from €250 to €259, depending on the brand. The treatment is always performed by a BIG-registered doctor. During the free consultation you discuss which amount suits your face, and the final price is agreed in advance. The check-up after two weeks is free.