With the rise of social media and selfies, people are becoming increasingly obsessed with their lips. The majority of people who turn to dermal fillers to achieve their beauty goals work on their lips. Lip fillers, a type of dermal fillers, provide fuller and plumper lips, which are often associated with youthfulness, beauty, fertility, and femininity. Because many people want these lips (you are no exception), it is natural to be concerned about the longevity of results. Read on to understand more about these minimally invasive cosmetic treatments, including how long you can expect their benefits to last.
What Are Lip Fillers?
As you age, the production of collagen and fat in your body significantly dips, causing thinness in the face, including your lips. Lip fillers are gel-like substances that are injected into the lips to undo this and restore your youthful appearance. The common types of lip fillers in the market contain synthetic hyaluronic acid, a substance that our bodies make naturally to maintain plumpness and moisture content.
Types of Lip Fillers
Hyaluronic Acid Fillers(HA) Fillers
These fillers are loaded with hyaluronic acid that adds volume to the skin and retains moisture. Brands associated with these types of fillers include Juvederm and Restylane.
Collagen Fillers
Collagen-based fillers are made of collagen from humans or bovine sources. They are rarely used these days because they don’t last longer. Some people also experience allergies after using them.
Calcium Hydroxyapatite Fillers
These fillers increase the production of collagen. Another great thing about them is that they offer longer-lasting results than HA-based fillers. Most people use them to soothe deeper wrinkles and enhance facial contouring.
Poly-L-lactic Acid Fillers
These fillers stimulate the production of collagen. They are used to elbow out facial lipoatrophy and deeper facial lines.
Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) Fillers
PMMA fillers containpolymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). They address wrinkles, folds, and furrows. Furthermore, they can be used in lip augmentation and eliminate pitted scars.
Factors That Affect Result Longevity
Filler Type
Temporary fillers such as fillers with hyaluronic acid absorb into the skin quickly allowing you to experience the effects you are looking for within two weeks and can last for 6 to 12 months. They are a great option for people who want to improve the appearance of their lips but don’t care about long-term results. Most people like them because they are easily reversible, allowing you to get results that align with your needs and preferences. This reversibility of temporary fillers also helps individuals deal with complications when they occur.
Semi-permanent fillers such as Poly-L-lactic acid and Calcium Hydroxylapatite (CaHA) contain thicker gel-like substances that take longer to be absorbed into the skin. In exchange for this slow absorption, you get results that last for 1 to 2 years with occasional touch-ups. They allow individuals to adjust or reverse effects, but it can be a challenging process compared to temporary fillers.
Permanent fillers are more viscous, meaning the body requires a lot of time to break and absorb them. For this reason, they can last for 5 years or more. Common examples of permanent fillers include Bellafill (Poly-methylmethacrylate or PMMA) and Silicone Fillers. While their results are longer-lasting, they come with risks and complications that may be irreversible. These fillers are a great option for people who have tried temporary or semi-permanent fillers and want to be committed to long-term results.
Individual Metabolism and Lifestyle Habits
If you have a faster metabolism, your body is more likely to break down the filler quickly, giving you shorter results. If you smoke, expose your skin to UV light, or neglect hydration, your body will also break down the filler faster, impacting the longevity of results.
Injection Technique
A highly skilled and experienced practitioner will administer the product artfully and with an appropriate technique. This promotes optimal filler distribution, preventing asymmetrical lips and premature dissipation.
Amount of Filler Injected
A small amount of the product requires frequent touch-ups, which can lead to longer-lasting results compared to a large volume of lip fillers.
Allergies or Sensitivities
If you are allergic or sensitive to a lip filler, your body is more likely to break it down faster. Make sure you discuss your concerns with the practitioner to ensure you get the treatment that gives you high-quality results without jeopardizing your safety.
How to Achieve Prolonged Results
Do Not Expose Your Lips to UV Light
Sunshine exposure speeds up the breakdown of your filler, reducing its lifespan. It can also cause hyperpigmentation or dark spots on your lips, which can harm your appearance. Make sure you wear a wide-brimmed hat before going outside. Also, wear a sunscreen with SPF 30 or more.
Give Up Smoking
Smoking can cause the issues the lip fillers address such as wrinkles. If possible smoke less or completely end your friendship with cigarettes to maintain a healthy skin.
Avoid Strenuous Physical Activity
Strenuous physical activity increases blood circulation in the body, making the body break down the fillers faster. Replace high-intensity exercise with lighter forms of exercise such as brisk walking or yoga.
Follow A Healthy Diet
Incorporate more fruits, vegetables, and water into your diet. In doing so, you will keep your lips healthy and hydrated, which can positively impact the longevity of results.
Stick to Follow-Up Treatments
Follow-up treatments address touch up, ensuring you enjoy longer-lasting results. Go for them regularly to prevent your lips from returning to their original shape and size.
Talk to Your Injector
Keep communicating with your injector after the procedure. If you notice any results you didn’t expect, reach out to your practitioner as quickly as you possibly can. They can help you address the issue and improve the longevity of the results you are looking for.
The Bottom Line
The duration of lip fillers can vary depending on things such as the type of filler used, amount of filler used, individual metabolism and lifestyle decisions, injection technique, and the body’s reaction. By understanding these factors and following aftercare tips such as avoiding intense physical activities and sunshine exposure, you can get longer-lasting results and build confidence. Consult with your injector before the procedure to customize your lip filler experience based on your aesthetic needs.
MS, Lund University, Sweden
Nutrition plays an important role in human life. Eating habits are one of the factors that affect our health. There is often a misconception among people that nutritionists force a very restrictive diet, but that is not true. In fact, I don't ban any products, but I point out dietary mistakes and help change them by giving tips and new recipes that I've tried myself. I advise my patients not to resist change and to be purposeful. Only with willpower and determination can a good result be achieved in any area of life, including changing eating habits. When I don't work, I love to go climbing. On a Friday evening, you are most likely to find me on my couch, cuddling with my dog and watching some Netflix.
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