I often have people walk into my consultation room holding a photo. Sometimes it is a celebrity, an influencer or even someone they know. The request is the same: They want lips like hers!
As a cosmetic physician, I understand the desire to feel more confident, to soften certain features or bring better balance to the face. But I always start by explaining this one important thing. Your lips are part of your individual anatomy. They belong to your face. Wanting someone else’s lips without considering how they would look on you is where things often go wrong.
We see this all the time. Overfilled lips. Unnatural volume. Faces that have lost their balance. People start out wanting something subtle but walk away with something that does not belong. It is not because lip treatment itself is the problem. It is how and why it is being done.
It is not just about lips
One of the biggest concerns I have in cosmetic medicine today is that treatments are often viewed in isolation. Lips are treated as a separate feature rather than part of the whole face. This is when things start to look artificial.
Lips do not exist on their own. They need to work in harmony with the chin, cheeks, teeth and skin texture. When someone focuses purely on increasing lip volume without considering the rest of their face, the result can appear overdone very quickly.
In many cases, what people see on social media is not even the look they truly want. They think they are asking for something subtle, but they are being given a template result. I have seen people spend over a thousand dollars on a single session, filled with product they did not need, and the outcome is not flattering.
This is not cosmetic medicine. This is overselling. And it is not safe or sustainable.
Choosing the right injector matters
If you do not want to look fake, do not go to someone who looks fake.
This might sound blunt, but it is something I tell patients often. The aesthetic style of the practitioner usually shows up in the results they create. If someone has exaggerated facial features, heavily filled lips or an unbalanced appearance themselves, chances are their work will reflect that same approach.
I believe in subtle, natural results. My goal is to enhance what you already have, not to make you look like someone else. I assess the full face before offering any recommendations. If I think a treatment is not right for you, I will tell you. If I believe less product will be safer and more effective, that is the plan we will take.
Every face is different. There is no template. There is no standard amount of volume that works for everyone. And there is no need to rush.
A consultation is always the first step
In Australia, the products used in lip augmentation are prescription-only and cannot be advertised to the public by name. This includes before and after photos that suggest a particular product was used. This is an important part of maintaining professional standards and ensuring that decisions about medical treatments are made in the right context within a private consultation.
During your consultation with me, I will ask about your concerns and your goals. I will assess the overall balance of your face. Sometimes what appears to be a lip issue is actually related to volume loss elsewhere. In other cases, we may find that no treatment is needed at all.
This is your time to ask questions, express hesitation or simply understand your options. There is no pressure. I will always explain risks, side effects and alternatives so you can make a well-informed decision.
Less is safer
Lips are a high-risk area. They are highly vascular, which means that if the product is placed incorrectly, complications can occur. These may include bruising, swelling, lumps, asymmetry or in rare cases more serious outcomes.
When too much product is placed into the lips, especially without careful planning, the skin can stretch. Over time this may cause permanent changes to the tissue. I have also seen patients come in after having treatments done elsewhere where the product has migrated or hardened. Unfortunately, this can be difficult to reverse.
This is why I take a very conservative approach. In many cases, I start with a very small amount and review after a few weeks. It gives your body time to adjust and allows us to assess the shape, texture and symmetry once everything has settled.
This method is not only safer, it leads to more natural and longer-lasting results.
Please stop bringing in photos of someone else’s lips
I understand that people want to show inspiration. And I do not mind if you bring in a reference photo to explain what you like, maybe you prefer more definition, a certain shape or a softer lip border.
But the truth is, copying someone else’s lips is not realistic. Your facial structure is unique. The thickness of your skin, the natural height of your lips and the movement of your muscles are all different from the person in the photo. Trying to match someone else’s features usually ends in disappointment.
My job is to work with what you have. When we do that well, the result is something subtle and beautiful. Something that belongs on your face and makes you feel more like yourself, not someone else.
Why I do not post before and afters
I am often asked why I do not post lip transformations online. The reason is simple. Australian law does not allow the advertising of prescription-only treatments to the public. Before and after photos that imply a specific injectable product was used are considered advertising of a therapeutic good.
This includes social media. This includes websites. It is not about hiding results — it is about staying compliant and ethical.
These rules exist to protect people from misleading claims and encourage them to seek professional advice rather than making decisions based on filtered images. I respect that. And I believe it builds trust.
Final thoughts
Lip augmentation can be a wonderful treatment when done correctly. But it should never be rushed. It should never be based on a trend. And it should always be tailored to you.
If you are thinking about treatment but feel unsure about where to start, I welcome you to book a consultation with me. I will take the time to understand your concerns and give you a realistic, honest recommendation. My goal is to help you make the best decision for your face, your safety and your long-term confidence.
The best lips are the ones that look like they have always been yours.
Dr Tina Fang
MBBS, FRACGP, Fellow of the Australasian College of Aesthetic Medicine
