Scroll through social medial and you’d be witnessing perfect pouts as one of the recent beauty phenomena. With the likes of Kylie Jenner and influential beauty gurus, there is a surge in demand for lip fillersever since to enhance this facial feature.
Dermal fillers deposit the material in the targeted facial area and produce a filling effect. Lip fillers can also address ageing concerns and loss of volume – fuller lips can be achieved to give a more youthful appearance and leave you with more confidence.
Whether you’re going for a more natural look or a much perkier pout, there are several things you should know about lip fillers before undergoing the procedure.
What it is made of
Fillers today are commonly made of Hyaluronic Acid (HA), a naturally occurring compound that’s found in the body. This popular beauty ingredient attracts water and has the ability to up to 1,000 times its own weight. Once injected, it produces a plumper and fuller lip effect.
You can find HA plenty in skincare products as well as other dermal fillers including cheek fillers and nose fillers. It can help to restore volume to the cheeks, smooth out wrinkles and get rid of those fine lines at the corners of your mouth. HA depletes with age and as such, the skin loses volume whereby wrinkles are more likely to appear. Upon injection to the targeted area, it acts like a sponge to attract water into the skin so the injected area will look smoother, bouncier and more volumized.
Types of lip fillers
There is a variety of dermal fillers based on Hyaluronic Acid available today. Popular ones include Restylane and Juvederm which are used to plump up the skin and improve the appearance for wrinkles. These FDA-approved brands are also HSA-approved for cosmetic injection use.
Duration of downtime and how long it lasts
Often touted as a lunchtime procedure, there is hardly any downtime with fillers – you can get back to your regular routine immediately. You can expect quick results after the treatment and notice improvements in your appearance that will help you to look more refreshed and youthful. Though, the full effects can be seen after several days.
It should last around four to nine months on average. Optimistically, it can also last up to 18 months. Longevity may depend on the individual’s metabolic rate and age. Effects will fade over time as the body gradually absorbs the injected material.
Pain level and side effects
Pain is minimized as most HA dermal fillers are infused with the anesthetic lidocaine to lower patient’s discomfort during and after the treatment. Another factor that plays a role is the doctor’s technique while administering the treatment.
Lumps, bumps and asymmetries also occur when the injection is not carried out smoothly. A common side effect is bruising, which will resolve on its own after a few days. Shifting may also happen during the first one or two days, which can be corrected with a simple touch up.
Manage your expectations
Decide how big or plump you want your lips to be, realistically. Everyone’s anatomy is different, and everyone has a different face shape as well.
Communicate with your doctor on your concerns and expectations, and they will work with the configuration of your mouth to achieve realistic results. For younger patients, they may focus on having poutier lips. But, priorities may shift with the older crowd as they wish to correct age-related volume loss. Regardless, the injecting doctor should have skillful techniques and understanding of facial anatomy for a successful and safe filler treatment.
If there are unsatisfactory results with Hyaluronic acid fillers, hyaluronidase can be injected to break down the material and allow the body to naturally excrete it.
Our doctors can help you to look better and regain your confidence again. Dermal fillers are available in our clinic, as well as other treatments such as acne scar treatment.