Lip augmentation via lip fillers has become a norm among women of all ages and continues to rise in popularity as a cosmetic enhancement procedure. With lip fillers, doctors use a non-surgical and minimally invasive technique to give the client fuller, plumper lips in a matter of minutes. The Skin Nurse Clinic is delighted to explain everything you should know before choosing to go ahead with getting lip fillers.
What Are Lip Fillers Made of?
Lip fillers in the past have been made of fat or collagen injections, and even implants. However, these fillers are used much less frequently today due to a higher risk of side effects and lower success rates. The latest dermal filler used for lip augmentation is hyaluronic acid, or HA filler injections, which have been proven to be much safer and last longer than its predecessors.
Hyaluronic acid fillers are a type of natural lip filler, since hyaluronic acid is naturally found in the human body. The filler enhances the shape, volume, and structure of the lips and can be injected into the lips for almost immediate results. There are a variety of injectable hyaluronic acid fillers available in the market today, some of which even contain lidocaine, a local anesthetic.
How Long Does Lip Fillers Last?
The results obtained from lip fillers take a few days before the full effect becomes visible. A small percentage of the result that is seen immediately is swelling from the injection itself, which goes down after a few days. Hyaluronic acid fillers dissolve over time and last for a maximum period of around 6-9 months. Once dissolved, one would have to get the procedure repeated if they wish to keep the desired results.
This serves as one of the benefits of getting HA lip fillers. If you are not happy with the results at the end of the procedure, you can either wait for the filler to dissolve by itself or even ask your doctor to inject an enzyme known as hyaluronidase that will dissolve the filler in a matter of minutes.
What to Expect During a Lip Filler Procedure?
Lip fillers are mostly injectable and do not require a long time to be carried out. The entire procedure can mainly be carried out in about 15 minutes, which means you could even do it over your lunch break.
- During the first consultation, the doctor will perform a general health assessment and ask some relevant questions about any existing medical conditions. The person receiving the lip fillers should ideally be a non-smoker and be in good overall health. People suffering from conditions like diabetes, oral herpes, lupus, or any kind of blood disorder are not considered good candidates for receiving dental fillers. The doctor will also enquire about any allergies and medication the patient might be on. Before-and-after pictures of lip fillers may also be shown to give the patient an idea about what to expect from their procedure.
- While the lip filler procedure isn’t particularly painful, the first step consists of the administration of a local numbing agent or anesthetic. Some doctors might even give a nerve block to numb the entire lip region completely. Holding ice against the lips before the injection is administered can also help with light numbing of the lips and prevent bruising and swelling afterward.
- The areas that will receive the filler injections are then carefully marked, followed by injecting the filler gel with the help of very fine needles. The doctor will give your lips a little massage to evenly distribute the filler substance and break up any lumps or bumps caused by the injections.
- Ice is given to be applied after the injections as well to ease any discomfort and control the extent of swelling that may occur after the procedure. The patient is advised not to put any pressure on their lips and avoid lipsticks or any other form of lip products immediately after the procedure.
Who Can Do a Lip Filler Procedure?
It is imperative to get any form of cosmetic procedure, including lip fillers, from a licensed medical professional. This could be a plastic surgeon, a dermatologist, or even a physician assistant or nursing practitioner, but they should be qualified and experts in performing the lip filler procedure.
There are many cheap lip filler options available in the market today, which are being performed by individuals lacking the required training and expertise. Such options pose a significant health risk to their clients and should be avoided.
