If you weren’t lucky enough to be born with pouty and plump lips, chances are you’ve at least considered options to enhance your lips. Whether you’ve tried all of the cosmetic products that promise a pouty look or you’ve seriously considered cosmetic surgery, you may want to consider a conservative, effective solution – lip fillers. According to Dr. Arathi Rana of U.S. Dermatology Partners in Sherman and Paris, Texas, “Lip fillers have quickly become one of our most popular treatment options. Whether you’re looking for a way to create a more symmetrical appearance or you just want to plump up your lips, fillers offer a quick solution with no downtime that lasts for months and can be easily readministered.” In this blog, you can learn more from Dr. Rana about how long lip fillers last and what you can expect from this treatment.
What Are Lip Fillers?
Lip fillers are a cosmetic lip augmentation procedure that allows your dermatologist to add volume, reshape, and enhance the appearance of the lips without the need for more advanced or invasive surgical procedures. Fillers add volume, fullness, and shape to the mouth that looks and feels natural. Dr. Rana says, “When people hear lip fillers, they often think of results that are over the top and unnatural looking, but these treatments are easily customized to achieve any goal. Whether you’re looking for a dramatic change or a subtle improvement, lip filler treatment can be adjusted to achieve your desired look.”
The board-certified dermatologists at U.S. Dermatology Partners use a variety of dermal fillers that can be used to create a picture-perfect pout. According to Dr. Rana, “Dermatologists typically recommend one of the Juvederm or Restylane formulations as lip fillers.”
Lip filler options that may be recommended by your dermatologist include:
- Juvederm Volbella XC – recommended for use in improving the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles as well as plumping lips.
- Juvederm Ultra XC – formulated specifically as a lip filler.
- Juvederm Ultra Plus XC – formulated for use as either a lip filler or traditional dermal filler for fine lines, wrinkles, and other imperfections.
- Restylane – the versatile original formula is used for a variety of purposes, including creating a fuller lip.
- Restylane Kysse – formulated specifically for use in the lips
How Long Will Lip Fillers Last?
Over time, lip fillers do dissolve, returning lips to their original appearance. Each person’s lip filler results will vary depending on the amount of filler injected, where the lip injections are placed, and how their body processes the lip fillers. In some cases, people maintain the results of their fillers for just a few months. Others maintain their improved appearance for several years. In addition to the individual’s response to lip filler treatment, each type of lip filler is formulated to deliver different results. Below, you’ll find the average amount of time each of the lip fillers we offer typically lasts:
- Restylane – lasts about six months on average
- Juvederm – lasts between six and twelve months on average
Depending on a patient’s response to lip fillers, their dermatologist can schedule regular retreatment, allowing the patient to retain their improved appearance. Another benefit of lip fillers is that they can often be reversed. If you’re unhappy with the appearance, your dermatologist can utilize an enzyme called hyaluronidase to break down and remove hyaluronic acid fillers more quickly.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Lip Fillers?
According to Dr. Rana, “There are many reasons why an individual may want to consider lip fillers. Because it’s minimally invasive, it’s safe and effective to help just about any patient improve their appearance and achieve plumper lips. Like any other cosmetic dermatology treatment, lip fillers aren’t the ideal option for every patient, so you’ll want to schedule a consultation to discuss your options with a dermatologist.”
During your consultation visit, you should be prepared to carefully describe the results you’re working to achieve with your dermatologist. Be prepared to answer the following questions during your lip filler consultation:
- What kind of look are you going for? (bring pictures)
- Do you want to define the edges of your lips?
- Do you want to add volume to your lips?
- Do you want to correct uneven lip shapes?
- Do you want to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around the mouth?
How Are Lip Fillers Used?
On the day of lip filler treatment, we’ll begin by applying a topical anesthetic. Then, the dermatologist may also use an injectable local anesthetic to ensure your comfort throughout the treatment process. However, this step is not always necessary since many hyaluronic acid fillers are premixed with lidocaine. Once your lips are numb, the dermatologist will inject the filler. After the filler is placed into your lips, you may feel some coldness in your mouth and face. You may also feel some stinging or discomfort in the lips. Your dermatologist will typically use a half to a full syringe of filler distributed across your lips to create an overall fuller look.
What Are the Side Effects of Lip Fillers?
According to Dr. Rana, “The best thing you can do to avoid adverse effects after your dermatologic visit is to work with a knowledgeable dermatologist who has the advanced training and experience to perform these procedures effectively. When performed correctly, lip filler injections have minimal side effects like swelling, redness, bruising, and tenderness.”
Even though there are only minimal side effects following lip fillers there are some steps you can take before your lip filler treatment to minimize any adverse effects. Specifically, you should avoid blood thinners, painkillers, fish oil, and vitamin E about a week to ten days before your lip filler visit. Additionally, you should avoid drinking alcohol for a few days before and after treatment. If you have a history of cold sores, you should take preventive medications before treatment since lip fillers can lead to a flare-up in this condition.
Immediately following your lip filler treatment, follow all specific directions from your dermatologist. You should forego exercise and avoid getting massages or facials as this can increase blood flow to the lips and lead to inflammation. You can use ice packs to relieve pain and reduce swelling, and you should also sleep with your head elevated.
In rare cases, people also experience an allergic reaction to hyaluronic acid. Some people develop inflamed lumps and bumps in the tissue. These can feel uncomfortable, but they can be dissolved with an enzyme called hyaluronidase. In extremely rare cases, a blocked blood vessel may occur, reducing blood flow to the lips. Luckily, this side effect is usually noticed right away and easily treated by your dermatologist.
Ready to Learn More About Your Lip Filler Options?
If you’re interested in learning more about lip fillers and other cosmetic dermatology solutions, the team of skilled, board-certified dermatologists at U.S. Dermatology Partners, is here to help. Simply complete our online scheduling request form to get started. Once we hear from you, one of our team members will be in touch to finalize the details of your visit.
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