Main image courtesy of Encore MedSpa.
Plastic surgery no longer has the negative connotation that it used to. Now more than ever society has encouraged individuals to achieve their ideal appearance with cosmetic procedures. A procedure that continues to be rapidly increasing in popularity is hyaluronic lip fillers. A subtle, yet noticeable procedure, that has been performed 2.1 million times in 2018 alone–and it has only increased since then.
Even with its growing popularity, many still are not educated on the specifics of this procedure. Anyone interested in fillers should research the eligibility requirements, find a reputable and reliable provider, and educate themselves on the possible effects before scheduling an appointment. After the procedure, one must take great care to follow the doctor’s orders and stay vigilant for signs of good healing.
Before Getting Fillers
Research
As with any procedure, it is your responsibility to research on your own and consult with a medical professional. All filler participants must be 21 years or older as mandated by the FDA.
Hyaluronic fillers are a selective, temporary procedure, but still warrant sufficient education on the topic. This will ensure your filler experience to be the best it can be.
Hyaluronic fillers are arguably the most popular used type of filler because hyaluronic acid is common in our bodies already. As the body recognizes the filler, this lowers the chance of your body resisting it and having an adverse reaction. These fillers will last anywhere from 12 to 18 months.
Why Get Them?
Individuals elect to get fillers for a variety of personal reasons which may include:
- Add lip plumpness or volume
- Restore previous lip size
- Reduce signs of aging
- Achieve desired lip shape or symmetry
What the Procedure Entails
For most cases, the same relative process will be used to inject the hyaluronic filler. Deviation from this process could be because of underlying medical reasons or personal preference.
First, the doctor will apply topical anesthetic cream and allow it to absorb to numb the lips. The anesthetic creams usually are made of three common medications: benzocaine, lidocaine, and tetracaine. If any allergies persist to those medications, there are other methods of numbing. After 15-30 minutes for absorption, the next step can commence.
Once fully numb, the doctor will inject the filler into various parts of the lips based on the goals you set for the procedure. You may experience some stinging or uncomfortable sensations while the filler is going in, but no pain should be felt. Ice may be provided after the injections to help with swelling.
In 30-120 minutes you will be on the path to your dream lips!
Hyaluronic acid is also a great filler substance because it can be reversed if needed. A simple injection of hyaluronidase will dissolve the acid and return your lips to their natural state. This way, if anything were to go wrong or the result is not what you imagined, the filler can be removed.
Fillers are also a temporary procedure because the hyaluronic filler fades over time. This allows for you to find the perfect filler amount for you.
Hyaluronic lip fillers before and after
Image courtesy of Dr. Wakim.
Image courtesy of Face.
Image courtesy of Skinly Aesthetics.
These images show that hyaluronic lip fillers can make quite a difference.
Regardless of the reasoning for lip fillers, one must ensure to consult with a certified, experienced medical professional qualified to inject fillers. This will ensure the hyaluronic filler has been FDA approved and tested. Do not, under any circumstances, buy your own fillers or attempt to inject them yourself. During your consultation, notify your doctor of any allergies or medical conditions to ensure you are eligible for the procedure.
After Getting Fillers
For the best results following your procedure, you must take the necessary time and precautions to heal. A disruption of the filler once injected could result in having to take them out or inaccurate results. Your physician will provide you with a list of dos and don’ts with instructions such as:
- Refrain from chewing or drinking until the anesthetic wears off
- Do not wipe lips
- Do not use straws
- Do not consume alcohol
- Protect your lips so the filler is not damaged or misplaced
Common Symptoms
Any medical procedure will constitute some side effects, and lip fillers are no exception. You may experience a variety of symptoms up to a few weeks after the procedure. Some of them include:
- Swelling of lips and surrounding areas of the face
- Bruising of lips and surround areas
- Tenderness
- Rash
- Discoloration of lips
- Cold sores
Contact Your Provider if You Notice These Symptoms
Once injected, there is a chance the filler may not react well with your body. It happens! Infection is also something you should be vigilant about. Consult with your provider if any of these symptoms arise:
- Severe pain and swelling that has continued for weeks
- Any discharge from lips
- Signs of tissue death around lips
- Lips feel abnormally hard
- Signs of allergic reaction
Check Up
About two weeks after your procedure, your lips should have sufficiently healed and your healthcare provider will want to follow up. Your doctor will examine your lips and the injection sites to ensure everything is doing well and there are no adverse reactions.
This is also the time to discuss your feelings about the procedure and results. If something is bothering you, it can be your lips physically or your confidence, you need to bring it up. Perhaps the results you got are entirely not what you wanted. Your doctor will be able to resolve any of this for you.
Your happiness and confidence with the procedure should be a main concern of your doctor!
Hyaluronic lip fillers are a great way to enhance your features!
If your lips are smaller than you wanted or asymmetrical, more filler can be added. If they are bigger or the wrong shape, it can be reversed and attempted again. No matter what, this experience should be entirely catered to you and what you want.
We hope these before and after images are helpful, so speak with your doctor today!