A hyaluronic acid-based filler, such as the popular JUVEDERM and Restylane products, is best for lips because it blends with the surrounding tissue and can be easily reversed if you are unhappy with your results. However, the right filler type depends on your specific anatomy and aesthetic goals. Contact LIP FILLERS SAN DIEGO now!
Volume
The lips are one of the most prominent features on our face, and their shape significantly impacts our appearance. Lip fillers are an easy way to perk up and define your lips for a natural, fuller look. They are also reversible and provide a great test run for a more permanent solution like a surgical augmentation.
Lip fillers use a gel-like material that is made from hyaluronic acid, which is naturally produced by your body. This makes the treatment less likely to trigger an allergic reaction. During your procedure, we will use a needle or cannula to inject the lip filler into different points in the mouth depending on what you want. For example, we can fill in your lips directly to make them larger, or we can add definition by placing the filler around the perimeter of the lips, known as the vermillion border.
As we age, we lose fat and collagen around the face, including our lips, which can cause them to thin out and become more deflated. With the help of dermal fillers, we can replenish this lost volume to give our lips a plump and youthful appearance.
The best facial cosmetic surgeons and highly-trained injectors have a deep understanding of the anatomy of the lips, and they know exactly where to place the filler in order to achieve your desired results. This approach is critical to avoid an over-filled or “duck lip” look, and it allows us to create a balanced result that blends perfectly with your natural features.
Younger patients often request a certain amount of filler to make their lips look fuller, and many are influenced by influencers who appear to have perfect pouts. These are great patients for lip fillers, as their results will last longer because they have a healthy metabolism. Older patients who are looking to replace thinning or sun damaged lips may experience shorter longevity, as these types of filler tend to metabolize more quickly.
Shape
Lip fillers can change the shape of your lips, and in turn, your face. But it’s important to balance your desired aesthetic and proportions, says Sally Cussell, a cosmetic nurse who works with patients undergoing filler procedures. “Big lips with small eyes or a petite chin can overpower your features,” she says. “Lip fillers should accentuate the chin and bring out your eyes and nose.”
While trends in lip enhancement come and go, many professionals offer a variety of shapes to complement your natural lip contours. The most popular, says Sally, are the natural enhancer and the Hollywood glamour look. The former focuses on adding volume to the three tubercles of the upper lip to create a more dramatic, voluminous look, while the latter highlights the center of your top lip to create a defined cupid’s bow and a more elegant, sculptural look.
Another popular lip filler shape is the shelf lip, which enhances the corners of your mouth, known as the oral commissures, to create a more youthful and defined look. This is especially helpful for older people whose lipstick often blurs or bleeds on the skin around their lips.
Lips also can appear asymmetrical, and this is the second most common reason for corrective lip filler procedures. Adding a little filler to the outer edges of the lips can reinforce and sharpen their naturally crisp lines, making lipstick application much easier.
Definition
Lip fillers, also known as lip augmentation, can be used to shape, contour and define lips into an ideally balanced appearance. These treatments are typically minimally invasive and can be completed within a few sessions. They use a gel-like substance, usually made from hyaluronic acid, to add volume and enhance the look of your lips.
The specific product used depends on what you’re trying to achieve. If you want a defined Cupid’s bow, your doctor will place injection points around the edges of your lips, while someone seeking an overall plumper look will get more pricks throughout their lips. Many lip fillers come with lidocaine to numb the area, so your treatment will feel very little pain.
In addition to enhancing the lips, lip fillers can address concerns like lip asymmetry, perioral lines and wrinkles and even nasolabial folds by restoring volume in these areas. The hyaluronic acid in the filler also helps to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, smoothing out your entire face for a more youthful and refreshed appearance.
A variety of lip fillers are available, including JUVEDERM VOLLURE (which is perfect for adding natural-looking fullness), and RESTYLANE, which can be used to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in the mouth area. Your plastic surgeon will work with you to determine the best options for your unique aesthetic preferences.
While some women opt for a dramatic, Kylie Jenner-inspired pout, most people want to have a natural looking enhancement, according to the doctors Allure consulted. However, they do have to be careful not to go too far with their injections so that their pout ends up looking overdone and fake. This is a common issue that can be avoided by consulting a highly trained and experienced injector.
Smoothness
Most fillers are a soft gel made of hyaluronic acid, a natural substance that occurs in skin and maintains its hydration levels. This helps fillers blend in with your natural lips, resulting in subtle, smooth enhancements. This is especially important for the lip area, where many patients aren’t looking for a cartoonishly exaggerated transformation. The hyaluronic acid in most dermal fillers—including Juvederm and Restylane—dissolves naturally with your body, so you don’t need to worry about long-term effects or dependency on a foreign material.
Depending on the type of filler you choose, results can last between six and 12 months. However, the lifespan of filler can be affected by your lifestyle and diet (it metabolizes faster in people with a fast metabolism). Luckily, most patients find their results are quite durable.
The biggest thing to remember is that you can’t rush a lip injection. Even though you’ll be numb for the entire procedure, it will take time to make precise, accurate injections of the lips. “It’s important to have a very experienced injector who has the knowledge and experience with this particular area,” says Dr. Kontis. “Otherwise, you could end up with a droopy or uneven result.”
Before your appointment, be sure to disclose any health conditions you have and avoid smoking, drinking alcohol, and taking blood-thinning supplements like St. John’s wort for 48 hours before your visit. It’s also helpful to apply an ice pack wrapped in a cloth for up to 10 minutes at a time to reduce inflammation, pain, and bruising. It’s also wise to avoid kissing and puckering your lips and to sleep with your face slightly elevated for 2 weeks to prevent any swelling.
Comfort
The lips are innervated by sensitive nerves, which can make filler injections uncomfortable. A common anesthetic drug, lidocaine, is injected around the area to numb it and reduce discomfort.
As a result, most patients experience little or no pain during and after their lip fillers appointment. Depending on your personal pain tolerance level, you may feel slight pressure or discomfort during your treatment, but this is rare and fades quickly. A numbing cream is also applied to the lips prior to the procedure, making this process even less painful.
Lip filler injections are a quick and minimally invasive procedure that typically takes about an hour to complete. Some patients are able to receive both their consultation and their lip filler treatment on the same day, which is ideal for those with busy schedules.
It’s important to choose a practitioner who has extensive experience with dermal filler injections to ensure the results you’re seeking are achieved in a safe and natural-looking manner. Additionally, be sure to check that the practitioner is using an FDA-approved hyaluronic acid product.
Finally, make sure to inform your practitioner of any medications or supplements you are taking, as these can have blood-thinning effects and increase bruising or bleeding.
After your procedure, it’s important to rest and avoid strenuous exercise, as this can cause increased bruising and swelling. Applying an ice pack to your lips may also help reduce swelling, itching and discomfort. Some patients find that it helps to use an ice cube covered in a cloth, which is easier on the lips than a plastic bag filled with ice. You can also try applying aloe vera, vitamin K, or arnica creams to the lips, as these products have been shown to reduce itching and inflammation.