Fillers are used to providing plumpness and volume to the face and lips. There are several benefits of fillers besides increasing facial volume. However, if the injection is administered incorrectly, it could alter facial symmetry. This article highlights what lip fillers can do and what to expect from the cosmetic procedure.
Fillers are adaptable and minimally invasive. Although the fillers are temporary, they are longer lasting than makeup. Also, they are reversible through a painless injection. The filler type and the patient’s age affect how long the lip fillers last. Although fillers may have side effects, they subside with time. After the procedure, it is important to take care of your lips to guarantee the efficacy of the fillers. Patients should consult their cosmetic practitioners before getting the injection to understand the risks and varieties available. Consultations will also allow the patients to manage their expectations.
What Are Fillers?
Fillers are non-invasive cosmetic products used to enhance the lips’ volume, shape, and symmetry. Fillers can also improve skin health by reversing collagen loss; collagen loss causes sagging and skin wrinkling. The filler substance combines with water molecules in the dermis layer, smoothing out creases and realigning the jaw’s appearance. Common dermal filler substances include hyaluronic acid, polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), and calcium hydroxyapatite.
Do Fillers Last Permanently?
Fillers are temporary and can be touched up every six months. They can last up to two years, although frequent maintenance is necessary to maintain their effects on the skin. Before performing a cosmetic procedure, it is crucial to understand any potential effects to manage your expectations.
What to Expect After Fillers
Luthra & Amit (2015) stated that fillers increase plumpness around the face and lips, improving their shape and aesthetic appearance. Furthermore, Sparavigna et al. (2019) claimed that fillers relieve static wrinkles caused by collagen loss. According to Trevidic et al. (2020), fillers restore fat loss on the face. Peng et al. (2020) stated that dermal fillers alleviate eye bags caused by stress or fatigue, while Choi & Moon Seop (2020) suggested that fillers relieve smoker lines and static wrinkles. On the other hand, Cabral et al. (2020) claimed that fillers enhance collagen and elastin production, making the skin firmer and more youthful.
The filler may take about 4 weeks to settle on the skin fully. Trinh et al. (2022) claimed that fillers might cause redness, pain, and inflammation; dermal products may also result in skin tenderness and bruising. Some patients have reported lumps on the injection site. The dermal fillers’ side effects are temporary and subside within a week after the treatment. The type of filler used also defines the recovery period; Hyaluronic acid is common filler with minimal side effects that subside quickly. However, the skin takes longer to heal when fat is used as filler.
How to Take Care of Your Lips after Filler Injections
Stay hydrated and eat plenty fruits and vegetables to reduce inflammation. Also, do not consume sodium-rich foods since the mineral compound may accumulate on the lips and exacerbate the swelling.
- Do not engage in intense physical activities immediately after the procedure; these activities increase blood pressure and worsen inflammation and pain.
- Avoid blood thinning medications; they might worsen the side effects and interfere with blood clotting.
- Avoid using cosmetic products on your lips if you have lip fillers; lip balms or exfoliating products can only be used after the bruising and swelling subside completely.
Do Fillers Cause Duck Lips?
Duck lips are not a direct result of lip fillers. More people—especially those who buy fillers online—often self-inject with fillers. Self-injections, however, are risky since few people are familiar with the structure of the lips. Additionally, certain lip fillers marketed online could be dangerous and include substances that negatively affect lips.
How to Guarantee Safety and Efficacy During or After a Filler Procedure
- Do not inject yourself with the filler since inaccurate injections might cause vascular occlusion, disrupting blood circulation in the eyes.
- Confirm the aesthetic doctor’s qualifications and licensing.
- Read the product’s label to ensure no harmful substances are in the filler.
- Strictly purchase dermal fillers from physical stores.
Frequently Asked Questions about Fillers
Can Botox Be Considered Filler?
Botulinum toxin injections are substances made from bacteria; they temporarily mask dynamic wrinkles by relaxing the muscles and blocking the nerve signals. When used in smaller amounts, it alleviates smoker lines, enhances facial plumpness, and improves skin hydration. However, anti-wrinkle injection works differently from fillers. While fillers can alleviate fine lines and wrinkles caused by collagen loss, botulinum toxin injections alleviate dynamic wrinkles by temporarily impairing the muscles around them.
Does Botox Have Similar Side Effects to Fillers?
Possible side effects of Botulinum toxin injections include migraines, dry mouth, nausea, inflammation, irritation, pain, and bruises around the injection site. However, these side effects subside with time.
Can pre-existing medical conditions interfere with the result of the filler procedure?
Before the procedure, aesthetic practitioners must examine if the patient has any pre-existing conditions. For example, clients with multiple sclerosis and weaker facial muscles should not undergo filler procedures. In addition, diabetes and various allergic reactions might interfere with the result of the procedure.
How Much Do Fillers Cost?
Filler injections cost between $700 and $1000, depending on the number of injections and the cosmetic doctor’s location. Furthermore, the type of filler used would also influence the cost of the procedure.
Can Fillers Be Reversed?
Filler injections can be reversed if the patient is unhappy with the procedure or was conducted inaccurately. For example, hyaluronic acid can be dissolved using the enzyme hyaluronidase.
The Bottom Line
Patients prefer fillers because they revitalize their skin by hydrating, smoothing, and making it look younger. Furthermore, they reverse collagen loss and relieve smoker lines and wrinkles formed on the skin. The lifespan of the filler depends on how much is injected and the type of filler used.
Fillers may have complications and side effects. These side effects include pain, redness, and inflammation. However, complications like vascular occlusion may be caused by inaccurate injections. Ensure the cosmetic surgeon performing the procedure is highly qualified. Although botulinum toxin injection has similar effects to fillers, it works differently on the skin; hence it is not considered dermal filler.
References
Trevidic, P., Andre, P., Benadiba, L., Deutsch, J. J., Galatoire, O., Garcia, P., … &Fanian, F. (2020). Objective 18-month Comparison of the Tolerability of 2 Dermal Fillers Formulated with Tri-Hyal Technology. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open, 8(12).
Choi, M. S. (2020). Basic rheology of dermal filler. Archives of Plastic Surgery, 47(04), 301-304.
Cabral, L. R. B., Teixeira, L. N., Gimenez, R. P., Demasi, A. P. D., de Brito Junior, R. B., de Araújo, V. C., & Martinez, E. F. (2020). Effect of hyaluronic acid and poly-l-lactic acid
Sparavigna, A., Tenconi, B., Giori, A. M., Bellia, G., & La Penna, L. (2019). Evaluation of the efficacy of a new hyaluronic acid gel on dynamic and static wrinkles in volunteers with moderate aging/photoaging. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 12, 81.
Trinh, L. N., McGuigan, K. C., & Gupta, A. (2022). Delayed Granulomas as a Complication Secondary to Lip Augmentation with Dermal Fillers: A Systematic Review. The Surgery Journal, 8(01), e69-e79.
Luthra, A. (2015). Shaping lips with fillers. Journal of cutaneous and aesthetic surgery, 8(3), 139.
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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