Lip injections (also known as lip fillers) have grown in popularity due to the rising demand for pouty, bee-stung lips. The procedure involves plumping up one’s lips by administering a dermal filler.
As a non-surgical form of lip augmentation, lip injections provide temporary benefits. To maintain the desired enhancements, patients will need to undergo more injections every six to nine months. Semi-permanent injections, on the other hand, can last around two years.
Utilizing lip fillers pose a few benefits, such as less bruising and reasonably long-lasting results. What’s more, the injections can be administered gradually over subsequent appointments until the desired results are achieved. If you’re worried about post-procedure complications, rest assured that lip injections don’t feel sore, contrary to some patients’ accounts. In fact, they can feel just like normal lips if your surgeon does the procedure properly.
Lip Injections Used in Augmentation Procedures
If you’re thinking of getting lip injections but don’t know what filler is right for you, we’ve gathered a list of the most common types of lip fillers that you can use to get fuller lips and enhance your overall appearance.
Hyaluronic Acid (HA) Fillers
Hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers contain hyaluronic acid, a substance that is naturally produced by the body. HA fillers can add volume to the lips and enhance its shape and structure. Restylane and Juvederm are among the most well-known HA lip fillers on the market.
Restylane
Restylane is a line of hyaluronic acid fillers that cosmetic surgeons usually inject into a patient’s cheeks, lips, nasolabial folds, and mouth. This dermal filler can smoothen wrinkles and plump up cheeks and lips when injected. Surgeons can use a variety of Restylane products on various parts of the face. This includes Restylane Silk, which is an FDA-approved filler for lip augmentation procedures and wrinkles around the mouth.
Restylane Silk contains a smaller and smoother gel, which gives patients softer and more precise results. This makes the filler a perfect tool for lip renewal and augmentation. Surgeons can inject Silk into your lips via an ultra-fine needle to ensure the utmost precision. Moreover, Restylane Silk contains a local anesthetic called lidocaine, which relieves pricking and maximizes comfort during the procedure.
Depending on the number of injection sites, the whole procedure may take five to 30 minutes to complete. If you plan to get this type of Restylane lip injection, you can expect swelling or inflammation after treatment, though this usually disappears after a couple of hours. You may also experience the following possible risks and side effects after the procedure:
- Bruising
- Allergic reactions
- Bleeding
It can take patients several days to see the full results from the procedure, though many patients have observed instant results after the treatment.
Juvederm
This line of hyaluronic acid fillers help address signs of aging on the face. Many patients say it’s perfect for increasing lip volume. Juvederm lip injections are divided into the following:
- Juvederm Ultra XC
- Juvederm Volbella XC
Both fillers help improve lip plumpness and fullness, as well as lessen fine lines around the lips. Volbella XC, in particular, can add fullness to the lips, minimize the signs of aging around the mouth, and improve lip symmetry. The end result is smooth and very natural-looking lips.
The actual procedure involves cleaning the injection site and administering either Ultra or Volbella XC into the area with an ultra-fine needle. For best results, surgeons will sculpt the substance into the proper areas and shape using their hands. Both Ultra and Volbella XC have lidocaine, which lessens discomfort during the treatment. Your surgeon may also numb the injection site with local anesthesia before the procedure.
Common side-effects after getting Juvederm lip fillers include:
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Redness
- Lumps
- Slight pain
- Itching
Although these injections require minimal recovery time, surgeons still advise patients to refrain from participating in strenuous activities, exposing themselves to sunlight, putting makeup on, and drinking alcohol for at least 24 hours after the treatment.
Collagen Lip Fillers
Once the most common type of dermal filler, collagen lip fillers have dipped in popularity in recent years due to the comfort and more naturalistic appearance provided by HA fillers. However, compared to HA fillers, collagen lasts longer, and the latest options are considered to be safer than previous versions.
Collagen works by plumping the lips, whereas HA fillers not only plump the lips, but also trap water within the lips for a more naturalistic, full pout.
Permanent Silicone Lip Fillers
While HA fillers will only last for a maximum of six to 12 months, permanent silicone lip fillers are permanent and don’t require any maintenance. These lip-shaped implants are inserted via two tiny incisions made to the lips. Moreover, unlike older materials like Alloderm, the latest silicone implants for the lips can easily be removed if there are issues.
However, due to the less natural feeling of these implants they’ve grown less popular with patients.
Fat Transfer Lip Injections
A fat transfer lip injection can enhance the size, fullness, texture, and symmetry of the lips. Surgeons start off a fat transfer procedure by obtaining fat cells from the patients’ buttocks, abdomen, or thighs (which are all rich in body fat). The fat is then processed and injected into the lip area. Doctors will typically inject about 2cc to 10cc of fat into patients’ lips and smile lines, though you and your surgeon will have to decide on volume and the areas to be injected.
Recovery time for fat transfer injections is much slower and could take weeks. At first, you may expect swelling, bruising, stiffness, chapped lips, and an overdone look. Eventually, the fat injections will improve the appearance of your lips and make them more attractive in terms of structure and fullness. These results are due to the stimulation of lip growth and fat placement inside the lips.
Fat injections in the lips yield more permanent results than dermal fillers. However due to their less predictable rate of absorption and higher likelihood of lumpiness, they’ve been eclipsed in popularity by HA fillers. This procedure may also require up to three treatments to obtain the desired results.
As with any other cosmetic procedure, you should consult a reputable, board-certified surgeon before undergoing any non-surgical lip injection. This will minimize risks and ensure that you get satisfying, long-lasting results.
Posted on behalf of Sedgh Plastic Surgery
