Dermal Fillers

How Often Should You Top Up Lip Fillers

Lip fillers offer a temporary solution; you will require constant top-ups to maintain your new-found look. Herein you will learn why clients get lip fillers, how to increase the longevity of fillers and how often you should top up lip fillers.

Lip fillers are non-invasive cosmetic products used to enhance lip size. They are advantageous over other surgical options since they have a quick recovery time and are minimally invasive. The lip filing procedure involves injecting dermal products into the tissues underneath the skin to increase their size and volume or make them symmetric. The more we age, the more our skin losses fat and collagen. As a result, the skin develops sagginess and thinning in various parts of the face, including the lips. Injecting lip fillers help replace the lost collagen. However, it only offers a temporary solution; you need to get regular top-ups to maintain your desired looks. The frequency with which a patient gets a filler top-up depends on the type of lip filler and the patient’s metabolism, among other factors. 

Why Do People Get Lip Fillers?

Some of the reasons people get lip fillers to include:

To Add Natural Lip Fullness

Goel et al.(2021) noted that the most common reason for lip fillers is to achieve fuller lips. The most preferred filler is hyaluronic acid, naturally produced in the body. As a result, it rarely causes bruising or allergic reactions during the procedure. Additionally, the acid is hydrophilic; it attracts water to the lip, making them fuller. 

To Reduce Aging Signs Around the Lip and Mouth Region

Lip fillers have become one of the most popular cosmetic procedures, specifically among patients in their mid-fifties. According to Swift et al.(2021), lip thinning is one of the most common signs of aging. Lip fillers reduce lip thinning through varieties as light fills. Matsa& Sainath (2021) commented that lip fillers might also help treat the appearance of fine lines around the mouth and help with skin tightening. 

Other reasons patients may consider lip fillers include;

  • To correct lip asymmetries
  • For an enhanced appearance 

How Often Should You Top up Fillers?

Lip fillers offer a temporary result that requires a top-up to maintain. Generally, top-ups should be done every six to twelve months. However, factors like the client’s age and the type of fillers are used to determine the frequency with which a top-up may be initiated. 

How to Increase the Longevity of Fillers

You can only make your fillers last as long as they should; some things may cause the body to absorb the filler substance more quickly, reducing its results. Below are some of the things to keep in mind to make the lip fillers stay in their best condition:

Follow Aftercare Advice

One of the advantages of lip fillers is their little downtime. However, that does not mean you should immediately resume your daily routines after getting the lip filler injection. Follow the aftercare advice given by your cosmetic doctor. It may include; avoiding alcohol consumption and strenuous activities for the first twenty-four hours and taking plenty of water or hydrating foods. Water is an essential raw material for tissue repair; it hastens the healing process. 

Minimizing Stress

Stress triggers the body to produce stress hormones such as Cortisol. Cortisol hormone may break down the fillers more quickly, affecting your pout. It also harms your lip filers. While stress is an inevitable aspect of human life, the patient should avoid the stress that builds up to dangerous levels. One may try breathing exercises, yoga, and meditation to suppress stress. 

Type of Filler Used

There are various lip fillers, including, but not limited to, fat transfer, collagen, and hyaluronic acid. They have varying lifespans. Hence, before getting the filler, talk to your aesthetic doctor to help you choose the right one. If you find out that the current filler reabsorbed into the body fast, speak to the cosmetic injector on the next appointment to help you choose longer-lasting filler.

Eat Healthy

Most of the time, we find ourselves indulging in junk food. However, a health risk of junk is its capacity to cause body inflammation. Such foods lead to a rapid breakdown of lip filers. Instead, one should consume healthy foods such as fruits, fats, and vegetables to help the skin retain the fillers quite longer. 

Using SPF

It is advisable to apply sunscreen of not less than 30 SPF daily, even on cloudy days. It would be best to minimize staying in the sunlight between 11 and 3 pm; the duration is synonymous with extreme UV light. Exposing yourself to UV rays may cause the lip fillers to break down. 

Frequently Asked Questions about Lip Fillers 

Are Lip Fillers Painful?

Lip filling is a pain-free cosmetic procedure. The cosmetic injector applies a topical numbing cream to the injection site to reduce pain and discomfort. 

What Are Lip Fillers?

Lip fillers are cosmetic products used to increase the volume and enhance the shape and symmetry of the lips. The most common lip fillers are hyaluronic acid and collagen; they produce few side effects or complications.

Are There Any Side Effects of Lip Fillers?

Like other surgical options, lip fillers may cause various side effects though mild. Some of its side effects may include; redness, itching, and bruising, which go away within a few days. 

Conclusion

Lip fillers offer benefits such as enhancing lip volume, reducing aging signs, and restoring natural fullness. However, its results are not permanent; it provides a temporary solution that lasts between 3 to 12 months, depending on the lip filler. Hence, if you want to maintain your desired look, it is recommended to get top-ups every six to twelve months. Various tips may increase the longevity of lip fillers; they include eating healthily, applying SPF, following the aesthetic practitioner’s aftercare tips, and avoiding strenuous exercises, alcohol, and high-stress levels. 

References

Goel, A., & Rai, K. (2021). Male lip filler—Aesthetic enhancement is not just limited to females: A case report. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 20(10), 3173-3176.

Matsa, S. (2021). Botulinum Toxin and Fillers for Maxillofacial Esthetics. In Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery for the Clinician (pp. 691-705). Springer, Singapore.

Mundada, P., Kohler, R., Boudabbous, S., ToutousTrellu, L., Platon, A., & Becker, M. (2017). Injectable facial fillers: imaging features, complications, and diagnostic pitfalls at MRI and PET CT. Insights into imaging, 8(6), 557-572.

Swift, A., Liew, S., Weinkle, S., Garcia, J. K., & Silberberg, M. B. (2021). The facial aging process from the “inside out”. Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 41(10), 1107-1119.

Marie Salbuvik
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