According to the Plastic Surgery Statistics Report published by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons for the year 2020, lip augmentation was among the most commonly performed cosmetic procedures. A total of 34,236 procedures were performed.

People of all ages turn to lip augmentation, mainly lip fillers, to get plumper pout. Lip fillers are popular because they are minimally invasive and have a quick recovery time. Since the tool is equally important as the filler itself, the main focus of this post is on the right needle size for this procedure.

Benefits of lip fillers

• Increased confidence and self-esteem
• Reversibility
• Low risk of side effects because the procedure is minimally invasive
• Youthful appearance and reduce signs of aging 
• Improved profile and facial structure

General factors to consider when choosing a needle for an injection

• Length and gauge of needle
• Type of syringe (in cases of fillers, they are pre-filled)
• The viscosity of medication/filler
• The volume of medication/filler
• Target tissue
• Patient population 

What needle size is necessary for lip fillers?

The thickness of the filler is the most important determinant of needle size for lip fillers. For that reason, the size used for lip fillers is a 4-mm 30-gauge needle. The gauge of the needle indicates the diameter size of the lumen (opening). The higher the gauge, the smaller the diameter. That way, the 30-gauge needle has a narrower opening.

The use of this needle size allows for the precise placement of hyaluronic acid filler into the safer subcutaneous plane of the lip. It also decreases the pressure necessary for filler extrusion. As a result, it’s easier to achieve patient comfort. The use of this needle size is a safer approach that yields more natural results.