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Lip fillers are one of the most popular ways to make your pout look plumper. These dermal fillers add volume and definition to your lips, giving you an Instagram-worthy look.
But are dermal fillers right for you? Read on to find out.
What Is a Lip Filler?
Lip fillers are a type of injectable dermal filler. They contain hyaluronic acid, a substance your body produces naturally. Hyaluronic acid cushions your joints keeps your eyes moist and makes your skin flexible. It attracts and binds to water molecules and helps keep your skin moisturized and healthy. That’s why it’s also a great option for adding volume to your lips.
Common lip fillers such as Juvederm®, Restalyne® and Perlane® contain hyaluronic acid. When injected into your lips, these products trap water, which adds volume to your lips. Since hyaluronic acid is natural, you don’t have to worry about allergic reactions or putting a synthetic product in your body.
Are You a Candidate for Lip Fillers?
Getting lip fillers is an extremely personal decision, but millions of people do it every year. In 2020, more than 2.6 million people received hyaluronic acid injectables, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
To qualify for injections, you need to be in good overall health. If you have a sore on your lips, such as a fever blister or canker sore, you’ll need to wait until it heals to have the treatment. Also, the Food and Drug Administration has not approved the treatment for anyone younger than 21.
You should also have realistic expectations for lip fillers. The treatment will make your lips look slightly larger, correct asymmetry, smooth wrinkles at the corners of your mouth and restore your lips to their previous size. The effect is intended to be subtle. Lip fillers won’t make your lips look exponentially larger after one treatment. You may achieve this look by working with your healthcare provider, but it may not happen overnight.
How Long Do Lip Fillers Last?
Lip fillers can last between 12 and 15 months. However, people who are active may notice the fullness decrease after about six months. Exercise makes you break down the filler more quickly.
When you notice your lips’ fullness starting to decrease, you can decide if you want to have the treatment repeated. Fortunately, it’s not painful and takes only a few minutes at a clinic or doctor’s office.
What Happens During the Treatment?
Your provider will apply a topical cream to your lips to numb the area. After about 30 minutes, your lips will be numb. Next, your provider will inject filler into your lips using a thin needle. Depending on your goals, your provider may put the filler into the curve in the center of your lips, the edges or the corner of your mouth. During the procedure, your provider may put ice on your lips to reduce swelling. He or she may also massage your lips to ensure the product is fully dispersed.
It doesn’t take much filler to make a big difference. Your provider will put about 1 milliliter of filler into your lips. The treatment takes about an hour, and you’ll go home immediately afterward.
Follow-Up Care
After treatment, your lips may feel bruised, swollen or sensitive. They should start to feel and look better within 48 hours. If not, contact your provider. While your lips are healing, you should avoid the following:
- Puckering your lips (no straws or kissing)
- Wearing lipstick or lip balm for 24 hours
- Taking Advil or Tylenol for 24 hours
- Firm pressure or massage on your lips for at least a week
Take care when brushing your teeth and eating. Use an ice pack for 10 minutes at a time to reduce swelling.
Find the Right Provider
If you’re interested in lip fillers, find a provider you trust. It’s okay to interview several providers to find the one who’s right for you. Most offer free consultations before you commit to having treatment.
Talk with them about your goals and what you hope to achieve with the treatment. If you want a hypernatural look, make that clear to your provider. If you want to increase the volume of your lips substantially, make sure they know that, too. You might even bring a photo to show them the look you hope to achieve.
You should also discuss pricing with your provider. Depending on your location, lip fillers range from $400 to $1,000. Ensure you have a good idea of the estimated cost so you don’t get sticker shock.
While various lip filler products are on the market, leave the decision to your provider. He or she has experience with specific products and can recommend one that will achieve your goals.
The Bottom Line
Fillers increase the size of your lips and boost your self-confidence. The treatment requires a short visit to your provider’s office and no downtime — but be prepared to pay out of pocket and repeat the treatment every few months. Even so, the good definitely outweighs the bad.
Author bio: As Director of Global Digital Marketing, Kevin Tian manages Prollenium’s B2B and B2C lead generation efforts across multiple channels. He has extensive experience building the marketing tech stack and producing success through a data-driven, decision-making process.
