Dermal Fillers February 11, 2023

What is Used in Lip Fillers?

By Crystal Kadir

Lip filler treatments can help plump thin lips and redefine a lip line. Lip fillers are available in different types, including hyaluronic acid, polylactic acid, PMMA, Polyalkylimide, or calcium hydroxylapatite. This article explains what lip fillers are, what they are made of, and their benefits.

Cosmetic patients use lip fillers for various reasons.They may have thin lips, a scar on the lips, or they don’t have a clear lip line.Knowing what is in the lip fillers will help you choose the right filler or decide whether you want to go on with lip fillers. Lip fillers are common because they are temporal, long-lasting and inexpensive compared to plastic surgery. Fillers are purely used for cosmetic purposes.

Lip Fillers

Lip fillers are injectable gels used in minimally invasive procedures. They are injected into lips to plump thin lips, treat scars on the lips, and enhance the lip line. Lip fillers can also be used to improve volume and smooth out wrinkles.

What is Used in Lip Fillers?

Hyaluronic Acid

According to Dovedytis et al. (2020), hyaluronic acid is naturally found in joint areas, the skin and the fluid surrounding the eye; it helps joints move without friction and maintains skin hydration as a filler. Hyaluronic acid treats severe wrinkles and folds, plump thin lips and improves volume.

Polylactic Acid

Polylactic acid improves volume and maintains face fullness and smooth wrinkles. According to Christen &Vercesi (2020), polylactic acid dissolves into the body to trigger collagen production. You can see the effect of polylactic acid after two weeks.

Calcium Hydroxylapatite

According to Shirshakova et al. (2020), calcium hdroxylapatite is mainly found in bones and enamel; it supports bone growth. Calcium hydroxylapatite used in fillers is biosynthetically produced to minimize allergies. Calcium hydroxylapatite plumps thin lips, enhance cheekbones, improves volume and treats scars.

Polymethyl-methacrylate Microspheres (PMMA)

PMMA is the most effective dermal filler because it lasts longer than the other fillers. Smaller amounts are injected overtime until the anticipated results are achieved. PMMA is used to treat severe wrinkles and improve volume loss and wastage. PMMA is considered an effective treatment for wrinkles than collagen replacement therapy.

Polyalkylimide

According to Karthik &Mohan(2017), polyalkylimide filler is a semi-permanent filler used to plump thin lips, treat facial wastages and smooths deep wrinkles. Polyalkylimide does not react with the body when injected, but a collagen layer forms around it. A single injection can deliver huge amounts of polyalkylimide.

Befits of Lip Fillers

No Downtime

Unlike other procedures where you wait for months, dermal fillers give instant results. Lip fillers take two weeks to settle. After lip filler, you can resume work if it does not involve activities that can make you sweat.

Minimal Risks

Lip fillers are generally safe when done by a professional aesthetic practitioners or a cosmetic doctor. You can only experience some minor side effects like pain or swelling.

Long-lasting Effect

The effect of fillers is long-lasting. Depending on the type of filler used, it will take a year for the filler to wear off. Some fillers take more than a year to wear off, like PMMA which takes 5 five years to wear off.

Triggers Collagen Production

Collagen is produced in the body to maintain skin structure and elasticity. Fillers like polylactic acid dissolve into the body to trigger collagen production.More collagen in the body will result in a youthful and plump look. Treating scars and wrinkles and improving volume and facial wastage will contribute to a youthful look.

Lip Filler Procedure

The doctor will assess your lips at the office and mark the areas to be treated.
The marked area will be cleaned, and a topical numbing cram or nerve block will be applied to numb the skin.
The doctor will inject you with the lip filler of your choice. The process is not painful, but you will initially experience some discomfort.

Side Effects and Safety

The side effect of lip fillers includes swelling, bruising and redness. However, these effects fade away after some time. You can have a blocked or fractured blood vessel, infection, or discolouration when done wrongly. For safety reasons, do lip fillers in a hospital with qualified personnel and buy the lip fillers there.

Cost of Lip Fillers

The cost of lip fillers depends on the type of filler, the doctor’s experience, location and number of syringes you will use. Lip filler would have been cheaper if cosmetic procedures were included in medical covers.

FAQs about Lip Fillers

What Should I Not Do Before Lip Fillers?

You should avoid using shaving cream, waxing or applying makeup when going for lip fillers; doing so might increase the chances of bruising. Also, avoid alcohol at least 24 hours before lip fillers.

What Should I Do After Lip Fillers?

You should avoid touching, scratching, or massaging the treated area unless you are told to do so. Also. when washing your face, use gentle washing products. Do not apply makeup or lipstick for at least 48 hours.

How Long Do Lip Fillers Last?

Lip fillers can last for over a year, depending on the type of filler used. Some fillers can last for two to five years. It will take some time before you redo lip fillers.

How Can I Remove My Lip Fillers?

Lip fillers can be removed by injecting an enzyme that will dissolve the filler. Hyaluronidase enzyme is used to remove hyaluronic acid. You can remove fillers if you don’t get the desired look or a lump develops in the treated area.

Can One Tell If I Had Lip Fillers?

One can notice that you have lip fillers if you have some bruising, swelling, or your lips look stiff.

Conclusion

Lip fillers are used to plump thin lips and correct lip lines. Lip fillers can also help improve the volume and smooth wrinkles. Lip fillersconsist of hyaluronic acid, polylactic acid, PMMA, Polyalkylimide, or calcium hydroxylapatite in their products. Polylactic acid triggers collagen production, which is crucial to skin structure and elasticity. The type of fillers used in lip fillers determines how long the fillers will last. If you don’t overdo the filling, you can have a natural look with lip fillers. Lip fillers are generally safe when done by a professional.

References

Christen, M. O., &Vercesi, F. (2020). Polycaprolactone: How a well-known and futuristic polymer has become an innovative collagen-stimulator in esthetics. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 13, 31.

Dovedytis, M., Liu, Z. J., & Bartlett, S. (2020). Hyaluronic acid and its biomedical applications: A review. Engineered Regeneration, 1, 102-113.

Karthik, R., & Mohan, N. (2017). Dermal Fillers. International Journal of Oral Health Dentistry, 3(1), 6-9.

Shirshakova, M., Morozova, E., Sokolova, D., Pervykh, S., &Kayumova, L. (2021). Cosmetic Syndrome Correction with Calcium Hydroxylapatite-Based Filler in Patients with Connective Tissue Dysplasia. Dermatology research and practice, 2021.

Author
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Crystal Kadir

GP and Sex & Relationship Adviser at itsmeandyou.com

MS, Durham University
GP

The work of a family doctor includes a wide range of clinical diversity, which requires extensive knowledge and erudition from a specialist. However, I believe that the most important thing for a family doctor is to be human because the cooperation and understanding between the doctor and the patient are crucial in ensuring successful health care. On my days off, I love being in nature. Since childhood, I have been passionate about playing chess and tennis. Whenever I have time off, I enjoy traveling around the world.