Lip Augmentation

Every time you try to pucker up in the mirror, you will feel like your lips are disappearing. You look at others and want that full pout that is so attractive. Makeup isn’t going to give you something that isn’t there. You just wish there was something you could do to enhance this area. You don’t have to accept things the way they are. With a little extra nudge, your lips can be plump and have that volume that you were not blessed with naturally.

What are lip fillers?

Lip fillers are a popular trend, where a cosmetic surgeon will inject a dermal filler to plump up your lips. These types of dermal fillers are sometimes called “hyaluronic acid fillers”. There are a number of different substances used in the injection. Temporary fillers need redoing every six to nine months, with semi-permanent lasting over two years.

How should I prepare for Lip Fillers?

Avoid blood thinners three days before the treatment.  This includes pain killers, vitamin E and fish oil. If you have a history of cold sores, be sure to discuss this with your injector, as you may need to take preventative medication.

When can I expect to see results?

You will see the results of your treatment almost immediately, however, it is so important to understand that your lips will be swollen and the degree of swelling is different from person to another.  You can’t predict how much swelling you will get until you have had them injected. Plus, It is recommended not to have lip filler done if you have an important event on in the first few days after treatment because of the swelling. To reduce swelling post-treatment, it is recommended to:

• Ice your lips intermittently that evening

• Sleep with your head slightly elevated

• Avoid exercise for 24 hours

• Avoid a hot shower that evening

During the healing process, it is normal to expect some minor bruising and sometimes slight unevenness. Don’t stress, once the swelling has gone down, you’ll start to see the final result of your treatment.

Benefits of Lip fillers

Since the amount of plumping according to the amount of acid or body fat used, your doctor have control over the outcome. This is why lip injections are often more popular than surgery to augment the lips. Multiple sessions can be scheduled several weeks apart, so the client can see the gradual improvement and stop the treatments when the desired look is achieved. Also, hyaluronic acid and fat are natural substances that are already present in small amounts in the human body, so there is very little risk of an allergic reaction.

Am I a Good candidate for lip fillers?

You can consider lip fillers and injections if you never had plump lips and would like to give it a try. Lip fillers are typically not permanent and will need to be repeated at some point in time. You can decide if you want something temporary to determine if you will be happy with the outcome or you can choose a type of injection that is known to last longer. As a part of aging, the collagen production in your skin begins to decrease. The end result is your skin begins to lose its elasticity. It’s also common to see a loss of volume, whether it’s hollows in your face or your lips lose what little bit of fullness that they had. If you have seen this change in your lips over time, lip injections could be the right solution for you.

What are the risks and side-effects?

As with any treatment, there are some risks and side effects, and not everyone will experience the same thing each time, but you need to be aware of them:

Bruising and bleeding

According to the type of person that you are, or are treating, there may be some bruising, slight swelling and slight bleeding after the treatment has taken place. The swelling should subside within 24-48 hours but can last up to 2 weeks, and the bruising within 5 –10 days. The bleeding will be minor and will stop within a few minutes of treatment.

Infection

If you are prone to cold sores and picking up infections quite quickly, having an injection to the area may trigger an attack. Keeping the lip area clean and using fresh clean towels can help to prevent an infection or cold sore from starting. If you have a cold sore or think one is on the way you should hold off from having any procedures until this has completely cleared. You should also discuss this with your practitioner as they may advise alternative treatments or products.

Lumps and bumps

Once you have had filler it is common for you to be able to feel the product particularly in the lip area and most noticeably on your first treatment. Filler can also sometimes rise to the surface and leave a few lumps and bumps a few days after treatment. Usually, this will settle but if it doesn’t this can often be treated by gently massaging the area. However, it is always best to speak with your practitioner before doing anything else.

Frequently asked questions about Lip Fillers

Can I remove my fillers once I get them?

The beauty of a temporary filler is that if you don’t like how your lips turn out for whatever reason, your doctor can inject an eraser enzyme called hyaluronidase to break up the particles and accelerate the rate at which the fillers break down. This process only lasts a few seconds and the results are instant, but it could take a few days for the filler to totally go down as well as any swelling.

What will fillers look like on me?

Like an artist with paint, every doctor has a favorite formula and technique they like to use. You can have somebody who can create a Monet type of painting or a Van Gogh. It’s the technique they use with that filler that creates the lift, volume, and final result.

Are there any risks to fillers?

Although fillers are commonly considered a lunchtime procedure, you need to view this as a potentially invasive procedure with the possibility of serious risks, such as vascular occlusion (rare, but can lead to tissue necrosis), before making the final decision to go through with it.

How big will my lips get?

Don’t expect to walk away with giant lips after one appointment. Expect to increase the size gradually over time for the most natural results. Since there’s a lot of swelling at first that can distort the shape, you need to give your lips time to adapt to the newly placed volume and settle into their natural state before assessing.

Dr. Hamid Reza Vafaei