Lip fillers are a super-popular product in the beauty industry, helping people boost their natural looks and build confidence. Read on to understand what lip fillers are, how they work, types of lip fillers, and how to prepare for the procedure.
When some aesthetic trends emerge, we begin to discuss them frequently and post them on our social media feeds, but forget them fast. Then there are other trends that take time to blow up. Rather than becoming one-time trends, these aesthetics become increasingly associated with attractiveness and sensuality. Lip fillers entered the scene, captured our attention, and became a reliable option for people who want to enhance their natural features in the beauty universe. What is the reason behind the staying power of lip fillers? Glad you asked. Lip fillers provide many benefits, hence our love for them is on an upward trajectory.
What are Lip Fillers?
Lip fillers are noninvasive treatments that provide fuller, plumper lips. They are inside the category of dermal fillers that erase wrinkles, smooth likes, and add volume to your face. Dermal fillers come in many types, allowing the injector to customize your lip filler treatment according to your individual goals and concerns. This can be enhancing the definition and shape of the lips, addressing lip asymmetry, adding volume, or increasing hydration to fix subtle cracks.
How Do Lip Fillers Work?
Lip fillers are made with synthetic hyaluronic acid(HA). This compound is naturally made by the body and can be found in the eyes, joints, and skin. In lip fillers, HA can increase moisture content in the skin and add volume. Lip fillers are injected in various areas such as the lip body, vermilion border, cupid’s bow, philtrum column, and lower lip.
Types of Lip Fillers
Hyaluronic Acid Fillers (HA Fillers)
HA fillers are the most popular type of fillers. These fillers contain hyaluronic acid that retains moisture in the skin and adds volume. Examples of HA fillers include Juverderm and Restylane.
Collagen Fillers
These fillers contain collagen, another substance your body produces naturally. Unlike HA fillers, collagen fillers don’t provide long-lasting results, which explains why they are rarely used in lip enhancement these days. Additionally, they are made from bovine collagen, which can trigger allergies in some people.
Fat Injections
In this method, the doctor extracts fat from your abdomen or thighs and injects it into your lips. Fat injections have longer-lasting results, but the fat transferred to your lips may be reabsorbed by the body over time. As a result, may need many sessions to achieve the desired results.
Synthetic Fillers
Synthetic fillers contain synthetic materials such as polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), which help you get and maintain your desired outcome for a long time. However, they come with side effects, which in most cases cannot be addressed.
Biostimulatory Fillers
These fillers are loaded with compounds such as calcium hydroxylapatite or poly-L-lactic acid. They increase the production of collagen in the body, resulting in gradual and long-term outcomes.
The Cost of Lip Fillers
According to the National Health Service(NHS), lip fillers can cost £200 or more per syringe. Factors that determine the cost of fillers include the type of filler, the number of syringes used, and overall complexity.
How to Prepare for The Procedure
Before the procedure, book a consultation with a qualified practitioner. The practitioner will review your medical history and personalize lip filler treatment depending on your goals and concerns. A consultation with a practitioner also provides an opportunity for discussing expectations, which can prevent disappointment.
48 hours before the procedure, avoid smoking, drinking alcohol, using blood thinners or dietary supplements such as vitamin E, fish oil, and St. John’s Wort. All these can soften your blood, making you more susceptible to bruising and swelling.
Can The Consultation and Injection Happen On the Same Day?
While most people book a consultation and go for an injection another day, it is possible to consult with your practitioner and get lip fillers the same day. The combo route is ideal if you have enough time because it can be lengthy. Some people may rush through the conversation, but this often leads to disappointment and poor overall experience.
The Injection Process
Your practitioner will apply a numbing agent on the area you want to enhance to reduce pain. Next, they will inject the filler and gently massage your lips to so that the filler can be evenly distributed. Some fillers come with a built-in aesthetic, eliminating the need for a numbing agent.
What Are the Side Effects of Getting Lip Fillers?
Once you get lip fillers, you will see the results before leaving your doctor’s office. However, there are side effects, which can be mild or severe. The most common minor side effects include bruising, unevenness, and filler bumps. The latter happens when the practitioner uses too much filler and they can be addressed through an intense massage.
The most serious side effect of getting lip fillers is skin necrosis. This happens when the practitioner injects the filler into the labial artery. If you plan to get lip fillers, make sure you choose a board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon. These experts have many years of experience, making it easy to avoid the side effects or treat them properly when they occur.
Aftercare
After getting lip fillers, you are more likely to experience minor swelling or bruising. Use arnica, ice packs, bromelain vitamin, or a combination of both. Steer clear of strenuous exercise or using makeup for 24 hours.
The Bottom Line
Lip fillers are a great way to enhance your natural features without going under the knife. However, it is important to choose a qualified practitioner to reduce the risks of side effects. A qualified practitioner can also correct the rare side effects when they occur. When you get lip fillers, you will enjoy the natural looks for 6 to 12 months, depending on your lifestyle and metabolism. If you are young and physically active, your body will break down the filler faster. The amount of filler injected also determine how long you will enjoy the looks. For instance, small amounts of lip filler do not provide longer-lasting results.
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