Lip Filler: what you need to know
Written by Jessica Tapia, MD
Lip fillers (also known as lip fillers) can be injected into the upper and lower lips. In the hands of an experienced cosmetic physician, this popular treatment can:
add volume
correct unbalanced or uneven lips
lift the corners of the mouth
define the cupid's bow
improve the lip border
conceal excess gum (commonly called gummy smile)
soften lip lines
The lip fillers method is used by surgeons specialized in facial aesthetics.
Cosmetic physicians may use different types of lip fillers in lip augmentation procedures, but hyaluronic acid-based fillers are the most common. The use of hyaluronic acid in lip fillers is noted for its safety and efficacy.
The type of hyaluronic acid filler used in your treatment will depend on the desired result and the preferences of your aesthetic doctor. The most famous brands for lip augmentation are the Restylane and Juvederm collections.
Juvéderm Volite adds volume for a subtle and natural effect. This lip filler was the only one on the market for many years.
Juvéderm Volbella adds volume while smoothing vertical lip lines for up to one year.
Restylane fillers contain a classic formula that adds or restores volume to natural-looking lips.
Restylane Silk, a formula with smaller hyaluronic acid molecules, offers a more subtle improvement and lasts approximately six months.
Restylane Kysse plumps the lips and diminishes wrinkles (also known as barcodes) along the vermilion border of the lips. Kysse contains lidocaine to relieve discomfort during treatment. Results last up to one year.
What are the pros and cons of lip fillers?
Pros
Lip injections are a minimally invasive treatment with no significant downtime afterward.
Skillfully injected lip fillers can increase lip volume, correct asymmetry, or improve lip shape. They can also soften fine lines above the lips or reduce the appearance of smile lines.
Once swelling and bruising resolve, you will see an increase in lip volume immediately, and the final results within 7 to 10 days.
Hyaluronic acid fillers can be safely dissolved with hyaluronidase enzyme if the patient is dissatisfied with the result or has a complication.
Many lip fillers are on the market, allowing an experienced aesthetic doctor to provide each patient with an individualized, natural-looking result.
Lip fillers can be combined with other non-invasive treatments, such as a lip flip with Botox, to further enhance the result.
Cons
The results are temporary. To maintain them, you may need touch-ups every few months or annually, which can be costly.
It is possible that your provider may overfill your lips or that you may be left with lumps or asymmetry after the injection. Fortunately, when hyaluronic acid fillers are used, an exaggerated appearance can be corrected with hyaluronidase.
More severe complications are rare but possible. Lip fillers can cause infection, tissue loss from accidental injection into a blood vessel, or scarring. To reduce these risks, avoid permanent options such as liquid silicone fillers.
How much do lip fillers cost?
Average cost: Between $4,000 to $10,000 MXN
Its cost will depend on the esthetic doctor's experience level, the office location, the type of filler used, and the amount needed to obtain the desired result.
Generally, less than one syringe is used on a first appointment. Still, more may be applied depending on your goals and whether you have applied it before.
What should I expect during my lip filler application?
A lip filler injection procedure usually begins with your provider applying a topical anesthetic to numb the lips (an especially sensitive area).
After the anesthesia takes effect, your cosmetic physician will inject the filler through a small needle or cannula into the areas of your lips where you desire more volume or definition. The filler can add instant volume, shape, definition and symmetry. The effects are instantly visible, providing immediate satisfaction.
When they are finished with the injections, your provider gently massages your upper and lower lips to prevent lumps from forming (they may also recommend that you massage them gently at home).
How soon will I see my results?
You should see fuller lips and a better definition immediately.
Swelling is a common side effect, and significant swelling is especially common if this is your first time having lip injections. Don't be alarmed if you have exaggerated "duck lips" (maybe a bit like some photos of Kylie Jenner's lips) until a week after treatment. Final results will be visible 7 to 10 days after the procedure once the swelling subsides and bruising disappears.
How long does the effect of lip fillers last?
Lip filler effects last 6 to 15 months, depending on the product your provider uses and how your body metabolizes it. Results fade quicker for some people, especially those who often move their lips.
You can expect to need touch-up treatments every 6 to 12 months to maintain the effect of the filler.
Will hyaluronic acid fillers ruin my lips?
Lip fillers are safe when adequately injected by your provider. There is a myth that the filler stretches the lips and leaves them misshapen, but that is not true with hyaluronic acid-based fillers. Your skin is elastic enough not to stretch to the point of becoming lax. As your body metabolizes the filler, your lips gradually return to their original shape.
Does the application of lip filler hurt?
Lip injections can be more painful than those for other areas of the face simply because the lips are among the body's most sensitive regions.
Because of this, aesthetic doctors often apply a topical anesthetic cream to their patients to make the procedure more comfortable. Many hyaluronic acid fillers also contain lidocaine to help control pain.
Our experience at Juvenalia Brío has been that most of our patients can tolerate the application of lip fillers without needing topical anesthesia.
You can expect some pain and tenderness a few days after your treatment. Apply cold to the area may help relieve discomfort and swelling.
“Los lip fillers son un tratamiento estético popular que utiliza inyecciones de ácido hialurónico para agregar volumen, corregir asimetrías y mejorar la forma de los labios. Aunque ofrecen resultados inmediatos y pueden ser disueltos si es necesario, los efectos son temporales y pueden requerir retoques cada 6-15 meses, con un costo promedio entre $4,000 a $10,000 MXN por sesión.”
