Lip fillers are a beauty-boosting procedure that can add luscious volume, definition, and even enhance your Cupid’s bow. In fact, many women are choosing this treatment as a way to create the full, sexy lips of their dreams.
Most dermal fillers for the lips are made from hyaluronic acid, the same substance your body produces naturally. Hyaluronic acid is soft and naturally hydrating, which means you won’t be able to tell your lips have been treated!
These fillers are injected directly into the lips to add or enhance their shape and volume. They are also often used to define the lip border, reducing the appearance of fine lines around the mouth.
The process of getting lip fillers is fairly painless and typically takes 30 minutes or less. Your provider will numb your lips with anesthetic prior to injection, and you may experience some bruising afterward, but this should be gone within a day or two.
Your doctor will then inject the lip filler into the desired areas, usually with a small amount of lidocaine to reduce discomfort. Once the lip filler is injected, your provider will massage the lip area to ensure the filler settles correctly and avoid lumps.
Some fillers, like Juvederm Ultra, have a gel consistency and don’t migrate to the surrounding tissue as quickly, so they can be injected more deeply into the lips. The thicker the filler, the more dramatic your results will be.
To determine the right filler for your lips, talk to your practitioner about your goals and expectations. They should examine your lips to assess symmetry and overall shape to determine which filler is best for you.
A board-certified cosmetic dermatologist with years of experience in lip fillers and other cosmetic injections is your best choice for this procedure. She will be able to recommend the Lip fillers appropriate filler and provide you with a personalized treatment plan to give you the best results possible.
Most hyaluronic acid fillers have a low risk of side effects, so you don’t need to worry about allergic reactions or other complications from the procedure. Your provider will ask you about any medications you’re taking, so they can make sure you won’t have any interactions.
Your physician will also check your blood work to be certain you are not at risk for an adverse reaction to the filler. She will also advise you on proper care after the procedure to minimize swelling and bruising.
Once your lips are numb, your provider will carefully insert the needle or cannula into your lips. They may apply a numbing agent to the tip of the needle as well. After the injections are complete, your physician will ice your lips to decrease any swelling or discomfort.
Depending on the type of filler you choose, your lips might be swollen and sensitive for a few hours or a week after the procedure. Your doctor will instruct you to ice the lips frequently and refrain from exercise and alcohol for 24 hours after your treatment.