Lip fillers are placed in the lips of patients that want to enjoy an enhanced shape and size of the lips as well as increased volume for lips that are quite thin. The lips can lose volume and their shape as a person continues to age. Lip fillers are usually made of hyaluronic acid which is a substance that is naturally found in the body. The doctor will mark the targeted area of the lips and then use a fine needle to inject the filler. Once the filler is placed in the lips, the doctor will begin to massage the treated area in order to eliminate any type of bumpy appearance that might occur after the injection. Lip fillers can also be used to provide a more proportional look to the lips and as well as an improved “pouty look” to the lips.
Hyaluronic acid (HA) lip fillers contain a gel-like substance that is naturally found in the body. It is located in the skin and helps to keep the skin hydrated as well as providing the skin a plump appearance. The results of hyaluronic acid filler, before it is absorbed by the body, depends on the individual patient and the amount of filler used by the doctor. Since it is a substance that is naturally found in the body, patients do not have to worry about experiencing any type of allergic reaction to these fillers.
Lip fillers are placed in the lips to provide a fuller look and additional volume. Here are the steps involved in having lip fillers:
Fat Grafting/Autologous Fat Transfer requires patients to have a surgical procedure known as liposuction. Excess fat from another area on the body of the patient is harvested during the liposuction process. The excess fat is processed and purified so it can be injected into the lips in order to restore lost volume. While all of the transferred fat does not survive the injection process, the results from the transferred fat that does survive gives more volume to the lips.
The steps in performing fat grafting/autologous fat transfer include:
The cost of getting lip fillers placed by a doctor depends on the type of filler used, the amount of used, the number of injections, fees charged by the doctor or the facility and the section of the country where the lip filler injections are performed.
Patients who desire fuller and shapelier lips, especially those with naturally thin lips, can opt for lip fillers. These fillers are composed of hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring substance in the body. As individuals age, their lips may experience a reduction in volume and changes in shape. Lip fillers provide a solution by enhancing the size, shape, and volume of the lips.
There is very little downtime involved with having lip fillers. Patients can expect to experience some amount of swelling and redness to the lips as well as bruising and tenderness. However, these conditions do not last very long and they will resolve on their own. It can take anywhere from a few days to a week for these conditions to resolve. It is recommend that patients allow for a week of recovery time before they attend any kind of public event or gathering.
There is very little downtime involved with having lip fillers. Patients can expect to experience some amount of swelling and redness to the lips as well as bruising and tenderness. However, these conditions do not last very long and they will resolve on their own. It can take anywhere from a few days to a week for these conditions to resolve. It is recommend that patients allow for a week of recovery time before they attend any kind of public event or gathering.
Bumps where the injection was performed
Asymmetrical look to the lips
Lumps and/or irregularities to the lips
Injection into a blood vessel
Infection
Overcorrection/Addition of too much volume
Scarring
Stiffening of the lip
Swelling
Bruising
The results of lip fillers are not permanent which means the patient will need to have a follow-up treatment to maintain the results.
In general, the results can last up to a year although the results vary per patient. The results also depend on the type of filler used as well as the amount of filler injected by the doctor. The body will naturally absorb the filler as time passes which is why patients will need to have follow-up treatments.
The results of fat grafting/autologous fat transfer can last a lifetime as it considered to be a permanent treatment.
The results of lip fillers are not permanent which means the patient will need to have a follow-up treatment to maintain the results.
In general, the results can last up to a year although the results vary per patient. The results also depend on the type of filler used as well as the amount of filler injected by the doctor. The body will naturally absorb the filler as time passes which is why patients will need to have follow-up treatments.
The results of fat grafting/autologous fat transfer can last a lifetime as it considered to be a permanent treatment.
Patients that are interested in gaining a fuller look to the lips can consider the following alternatives:
Lip Implants
The surgeon creates a series of small incisions at the corners of the mouth. The incisions are made to create a thin tunnel where the lip implant will be inserted and then threaded through the lip. Once the threading process is over, the lip implant is trimmed to the desired length and the incisions are closed. GORE-TEX lip implants have micropores that allow the natural lip tissue to grow through it. SoftForm lip implants have a tubular shape that reduces the changes of implant migration. AlloDerm lip implants are made from donated skin and has very few allergic responses.
Lip Lift
A surgical procedure that alters the look of the lips by enhancing the vermillion border (AKA the line where the reddish lip tissue meets the surrounding skin) and also reducing the distance between the lip and the nose. The surgeon removes tissue from the area located just below the nose so the upper lip can advance in an upwards manner. The results are a fuller and more youthful look to the lips.
Lip Flip
Instead of using hyaluronic acid to give increased volume to the lips, a neuromodulator (like Botox or Dysport) is injected into the orbicularis muscle of the top lip. The injection works to relax the muscle while also encouraging the top lip to flip in an outward direction. The final result gives the look of fuller lips.
The first step in having lip fillers placed is finding an experienced medical professional in your area of the country to perform the lip filler procedure. In order to help you find the best cosmetic doctor for your lip fillers, please use our “Find a Doctor” search page.
