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Whether it’s the selfie culture or Kylie Jenner’s side effects, one thing is certain: Lip augmentation has never been so popular.
Dermal fillers have been used for more than four years, while other forms of lip augmentation, such as silicone implants, have been used for even longer. Since bovine collagen in the 1970s, today’s lip injections have come a long way. But what really ushered in mainstream attention was the introduction of hyaluronic acid fillers nearly 20 years ago.
Even so, when many people think of lip injections today, they think of images of oversized fish-like pouts. Throw a long list of myths about non-invasive surgery and seemingly endless misinformation, you may be more confused than ever, hesitate to do this, or even believe that it is not for you. But rest assured, lip fillers are much simpler than they seem. Below, we have broken down all the details of lip injections, from the selection of suppliers and products to the duration and possible side effects.
“Lip injections or lip fillers are injections of hyaluronic acid fillers into the lips to increase, restore fullness, improve lip shape, and provide a smoother and more hydrated appearance,” New York Board of Directors Certified Plastic Surgery Doctor David Shafer explained the city.
“There are two types of patients who seek lip augmentation: young patients who wish to [full] lips or improve the size balance between the upper and lower lips, and elderly patients who wish to supplement the receding lips and reduce the lipstick line-also known as the “barcode line” ——Extending from the lips,” said Dr. Heidi Waldorf, a board-certified dermatologist in Nanuet, New York.
Although just uttering the word “lip injection” might make you imagine a group of Instagram girls who are obviously pouting, the process is 100% customizable, so you can do as much as you can.
The most commonly used fillers for lip injections are Juvéderm, Juvéderm Ultra, Juvéderm Ultra Plus, Juvéderm Volbella, Restylane and Restylane Silk. Although they are all based on hyaluronic acid, each has a different thickness and appearance of lips.
“In my office, I like to use the Juvéderm filler series because they have the most diverse series,” said Dr. Shafer (Dr. Shafer is the spokesperson for Juvéderm manufacturer Allergan). “Each filler is designed for a different purpose. For example, we use Juvéderm Ultra XC for patients who need more filling. For patients who want very subtle changes, Juvéderm Volbella is the thinnest filler in this series. That’s the answer.”
Ultimately, choosing which filler is right for you will depend on your personal goals, but your doctor should provide you with information about each filler. After all, they are experts!
“Patients must remember that injecting injections is not the same as making an appointment for hair or makeup,” warned Dr. Waldorf. “Injection is a cosmetic medical procedure with real risks and should be performed in a medical environment.”
She recommends finding a core aesthetic specialist certified by the American Board of Medical Specialties, such as dermatology or plastic surgery. “Please make sure that during the consultation, the doctor will evaluate your entire face, not just your lips,” she added. “If the aesthetics of the doctors and staff are not suitable for you, then it is not suitable for you.”
As a reminder, fillers are not permanent. Each type of lip injection has a different life span. In the final analysis, everyone’s body metabolism is different. But you can expect certain benchmarks—usually between six months and a year, depending on the filler used.
However, some fillers will stay in the body, which means that your lips will retain a little bit each time, so the more lip fillers you get, the longer you will wait between appointments.
“The way I explain to the patient is that you don’t want to wait until the tank is completely empty to fill it up,” Shafer said. The gas station is very convenient, when you know you will always run out of gas, so you will never go back to the starting point. “So, as time goes on, you theoretically need to reduce the frequency of refueling.
Like most cosmetic surgery, the price of lip injections depends on many factors. But a visit is usually between US$1,000 and US$2,000. “Some doctors charge based on the amount of filling, while others charge based on the area,” said Dr. Waldorf. “However, many people need injections to balance and support the area around the mouth before treating the lips, which will require additional treatment.”
Although low-cost providers may sound attractive, don’t forget that this is a medical business. This is not a place to try discounts.
One of the best parts of lip fillers is that it is non-invasive-but that doesn’t mean it requires no preparation. “I tell my patients to avoid blood thinners, such as aspirin, a week before the injection to reduce the chance of bleeding and bruising,” Dr. Shafer explained. “In addition, if they have any active infections, such as acne or viral infections around the mouth, they should wait until these problems are resolved.”
Patients should also avoid tooth cleaning or surgery, vaccinations, and any other behaviors that may increase local or blood flow bacteria a few days before filling the lips. Dr. Waldorf said that anyone with a history of cold sores will take antiviral drugs in the morning and evening before and after the injection. If you develop cold sores a week before the filler appointment, you should reschedule.
In addition to cold sores, active herpes, or inflamed acne around the mouth, fillers are contraindicated until the skin has healed, and there are other conditions that will make it unrestricted, such as if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. “Although the hyaluronic acid in lip fillers is usually present in the body, we still do not take any measures for pregnant patients,” said Dr. Shafer. “However, if you have recently used fillers and found out that you are pregnant, please rest assured, there is no reason to panic.
“In addition, patients who have previously undergone lip surgery (such as cleft lip surgery or other oral surgery) can only be injected with advanced and experienced syringes because the underlying anatomy may not be simple,” said Dr. Shafer. If you have had a lip implant before, you may want to consider removing it before the lip injection. In addition, anyone who takes blood thinners increases the risk of bruising. Finally, Dr. Shafer added that the filler has been approved by the FDA and is suitable for people 21 years and older, so children in middle and high school are not suitable for dermal fillers.
As with any office procedure involving needles, there is a risk of swelling and bruising. “Although the lips feel lumpy at first, mainly due to swelling and bruising, they usually subside within one to two weeks,” said Dr. Waldorf.
There may also be a risk of late onset inflammatory nodules months or years after injection. “Most of these are related to tooth cleaning, vaccination and severe viral injections, but most of them have no identifiable triggers,” said Dr. Waldorf.
The most serious complication is that the filler blocks important blood vessels, which can lead to ulcers, scars and even blindness. Although there is always a risk, the possibility of more serious side effects is very small. Even so, it is important to go to a provider who is qualified and knows what they are doing to reduce the risk of any complications.
“Assuming your lips will swell a lot, if the swelling is small or no, then you are happy,” Dr. Waldorf suggested. Bruises usually only appear within 24 to 48 hours after the injection. If any, ice and oral or topical arnica can reduce the bruise or prevent its formation.
“If the patient has obvious bruises, they can return to the office within two days for a V-beam laser (pulsed dye laser) to treat the bruise. It will darken immediately, but it will decrease by more than 50% by the next day,” she said. Excessive swelling can be treated with a course of oral prednisone.
Most modern hyaluronic acid fillers contain anesthetics. The doctor will use an additional local anesthetic, so you should feel numb for up to an hour after the injection, and you may not even be able to move your mouth or tongue. “Avoid hot fluids or food until you recover from sensation and movement,” said Dr. Waldorf. “If you feel severe pain, white and red lace patterns or scabs, please call your doctor immediately, as this may be a sign of vascular occlusion and is a medical emergency.”
Be patient: it may take up to a week to see the actual effect of the lip injection without any swelling or bruising. But if you don’t like them, you can fix it quickly. “The great thing about hyaluronic acid fillers is that they can be dissolved with a special enzyme if needed,” said Dr. Shafer. Your provider will inject hyaluronidase into your lips and it will break down the filling in the next 24 to 48 hours.
But keep in mind that getting rid of fillers may not be the perfect solution. If your filling is uneven or deformed, adding additional product may actually be a better plan of action.
Post time: Sep-03-2021