The Pouty Possibilities: Everything You Need to Know About Lip Filler

Full, plump lips have become a coveted facial feature in recent years. Thanks to social media and celebrity culture, pillowy pouts are held as the ideal. And while some lucky few are naturally gifted in the lip department, others seek a little assistance to perfect their pucker. This is where lip fillers can come into play.

My younger patients are more interested in a little bit of fullness and possibly shape correction. For example, if the left side is higher than the right side. My older patients have a completely different reason. It is typically to restore the volume loss that happens over time and to treat what is known as what used to be known as ‘smoker’s lines’ but is now referred to as ‘barcode lines’ because nobody admits to smoking anymore.

In 2021, over 4 million lip augmentation procedures using dermal fillers were performed globally, according to the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery's annual procedural statistics.

This represents a nearly 30% increase over 2020 as people emerged from lockdowns pursuing cosmetic tweaks.

If you've been considering getting lip injections to boost your smile, there are some benefits to understand first. When done correctly and conservatively, lip fillers can provide pleasing aesthetic enhancements. Let's explore some of the possible positives if you opt to go the filler route for your lips:

• More Symmetry
  Many of us have slight asymmetries in our lip shape that we might want to balance out. Whether one lip is thinner or one side turns down a bit, lip fillers can be strategically injected to create more symmetry and proportion for an evenly full lip line. This sense of balance can make your smile more eye-catching.
• Define the Lip Line
  As we age, the borders of our lips tend to blur as skin laxity develops. Lip injections provide structure and definition to soften those fine lines around the edges of your mouth for a crisp, youthful appearance. Even just a small amount of filler in the lip line (known as the "lipstick line") can make a noticeable difference.
• Plump Thin Lips
  Thin lips can be genetic or develop over time as we get older. Hyaluronic acid fillers artfully placed throughout the lip area can add volume and provide a poutier, more lush look. The key is to go slowly and gradually. Too much too fast can seem unnatural.
• Get That Pillowy Look
  If you want to go for that popular pillowy lip aesthetic, lip fillers can definitely help achieve it. Strategic injections in the body of the upper and lower lips will create a deliciously full shape and enticingly cushiony texture. Just be careful not to overfill or lips can appear cartoonish.
• Longer Lasting Color
  This benefit might seem incidental but is actually quite advantageous. When the lips are plump and smooth, lip color glides on more easily and adheres better to the fuller shape. This allows lipstick and gloss to stay put without migrating into fine lines around the mouth. Fuller lips make your smile pop!

While compelling, understanding the benefits is just part of the story when it comes to lip augmentation. Be sure to manage expectations and do your homework by consulting an experienced practitioner. Subtle, nuanced injection techniques can make lips look lovely, not fake. Take time to consider your options, do your research, and move forward responsibly if you choose this cosmetic route for adding a little extra oomph to your smile.

How Do I Prep Before I Get Lip Filler?

Here are some tips on how to prepare for a lip filler appointment to help ensure the best results:

• Schedule when your lips look their smallest. If your lips are prone to swelling due to hormone fluctuations during your period or other factors, book accordingly.
• Avoid blood thinners like aspirin, ibuprofen, fish oil, vitamin E, and alcohol for 1-2 weeks pre-treatment, as these can increase bruising and bleeding risk.
• Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate by drinking plenty of water in the 2-3 days leading up to your appointment to plump up your skin and lips. Proper hydration leads to better filler uptake.
• Exfoliate lightly and avoid aggressive peels/treatments on your lips for 1 week prior so the surface skin is healthy but not irritated.
• The day before, gently scrub and moisturize lips to prep a smooth canvas and stimulate blood circulation. Massage any bumps to smoothness.
• On the day of treatment, arrive makeup-free, but feel free to bring lip colors with you to test out how they look with your tweaked lips right after!
• Plan for some downtime of 3-4 days for swelling and tenderness to subside before any big events. Avoid heavy exercise for about a day post-injections.
• Have antihistamines on hand to manage swelling, like Claritin or Benadryl, and arnica tablets or gel to minimize bruising.
• Stick to soft, smooth foods while healing and don't apply too much pressure or movement to the area.
• Most importantly - make sure you pick an experienced, licensed provider focused on subtle, flattering results. Do your research to find the best lip augmentation artist for you!

Risks:

While considered relatively safe cosmetic procedures when properly administered, potential risks to weigh with lip fillers include:

• Infection 
  Improper sterilization or post-care can in rare cases allow bacteria exposure leading to infection which may require antibiotic treatment. Minimize risk by going to reputable injectors and closely following aftercare guidelines.
• Uneven Results 
  Unskilled injection technique can potentially create lumpy, asymmetric or unnatural looking lips, emphasizing the importance of experienced provider choice.
• Vision Compromisation 
  Filler inadvertently injected into veins around lip area in rare instances may travel and block blood vessels effecting eyesight. Reputable fillers like Juvederm and Restylane have lower incidences.
• Necrosis
  Obstructed blood supply depriving tissue of oxygen is an extremely rare but serious risk. Some fillers have higher necrosis correlations in lips than others. Understanding product differences and injection delicacy helps prevention.
• Allergic Reaction 
  Allergies to HA filler components or potential lidocaine mixing are negligible but possible, avoided by proper screening. Later hypersensitivity may also rarely occur.

Additionally some people dislike aesthetic outcomes and want reversal. Hyaluronidase dissolving injections remove hyaluronic acid fillers, but may not work as effectively depending on timing or type used. Bruising, tenderness and less-predictable durations also accompany dissolving.

Ultimately while adverse events occur infrequently with temporary fillers, improper procedure and aftercare may heighten negative likelihood. Thorough vetting of injector experience level plus asking questions is key. When performed judiciously, lip augmentation carries highly favorable safety stats for those seeking plump perfection.

Who Is the Best Candidate?

The best candidates for lip filler are typically:

• Those with naturally thin lips wanting added volume and fullness. Thin lip structure often runs in families genetically. Injections can provide plumping, especially in the upper lip.
• People experiencing moderate lip thinning and feathering with aging who want to restore a more defined vermillion border and youthful shape. Filler placed precisely along the lip line rescues fading edges.
• Those with slight lip asymmetry like one side thinner or turned down slightly. Strategic injections can balance proportions.
• Anyone looking to enhance or augment the cupid's bow for more sensual lip curves. Skillfully smoothed and heightened arches flatter.
• Patients with good overall skin tone and volume. Ample foundation allows best filler integration and circulation for supporting injected material.
• People wanting subtle lip refreshment not overhaul. Augmentation effects should complement facial features naturally.

The best candidates have realistic expectations about results. Dramatic looks play better on screen than in real life. Emphasizing one's most flattering attributes with care is key. As actress Emmanuelle Béart noted, “My lips? I have them. What can I say?” Indeed, sometimes less is more when boosting what nature already endowed.

Ideally patients should also be in overall good health to support post-procedure healing and not be prone to things like cold sores, vascular conditions, or easily triggered allergies. As in all elective treatments, individual suitability rests on aligning medical factors and personal preference to keep lips luscious long after injections.

• Pain and Recovery:
  Understanding the pain level and recovery involved with lip injections can set proper expectations:
• Pain Level:
  Most patients describe lip filler pain as temporary stinging, pinching or burning sensations at the injection site. There can be more discomfort getting filler along the significantly more sensitive lip lines versus the central lip body. Applying topical numbing cream 30-60 min beforehand can ease sensations.
• Swelling & Bruising:
  It's common to experience significant swelling and potentially bruising for 2-4 days following injections before these subside. Immediately post-treatment lips can briefly look quite exaggerated before settling. Using cold compresses and arnica gel helps minimize swelling and bruising.
• Healing Timeline:
  Inflammation peaks at days 2-3, then gradually recedes over the next 48-72 hours. Lips feel bruised and tender during the first week as subtle swelling persists, gradually normalizing by 2 weeks post-injection.
• Post Care:
  The first few days focus on gently icing to soothe swelling as well as moisturizing with lip balms. Refrain from touching or moving lips excessively. Avoid direct sun exposure initially. Hot salty foods, spicy dishes, and alcohol are best avoided during early healing too.
• Duration:
  With HA fillers, final visible lip augmentation results should be apparent 2-4 weeks out from injections. On average, increased lip fullness lasts 6-12 months before beginning to degrade with the body's natural metabolism.

In deciding whether temporary inflatable lips are right for you, manage expectations around inevitable pinch/sting injections, early exaggerated swelling and soreness for about a week. But for many seeking subtle-to-moderate enhancement, a little short term discomfort smoothest the way for a gorgeous, plumped up pout.

Cost:

The cost of lip filler is $599-750 a syringe.

Related Procedures:

Popular cosmetic treatments that complement or pair well with lip filler include:

• Botox or Dysport Injections:
  Neuromodulators like Botox gently relax the muscles around the mouth and lips, smoothing out etched lines while allowing lip volume to shine. Combination "lip flip" injections are also popular, lightly paralyzing the muscles that turn lips downward overtime.
• Lip Flip:
  Used to make upper lift look fuller, make the smile appear less gummy. it usually takes 10-15 minutes there are two ways to do a lip flip. Another way is to use a combination of dermal filler and Botox. 
• Border Lip and Fill:
  This is a unique treatment to Beauty Park and it is one of our most popular. It can be done without color to simply help to create/ or correct a lip border.
• Cosmetic Tattooing:
  Getting semi-permanent lip liner or overall shading to create a foundation for lipstick and gloss to better adhere to, allowing the colors to last longer on smoothed, filled lips. Liner tattoos also provide definition as filler fades over time.
• Laser Skin Resurfacing:
  Laser, RF and fractional treatments improve lip skin quality, tone and texture for better youthfulness, hydration and luminosity - the perfect prep for filler.

While lip injections add volume, combining other rejuvenating treatments enhances the overall lip area for show-stopping smiles, on and off the red carpet.

Related Studies:
A 2021 report in Aesthetic Surgery Journal analyzed injection strategies and technical aspects from 15,764 lip augmentation patients. Results underlined the importance of precision filler calibration and layering for natural, harmonized outcomes. As author Dr. Melissa Murawski summarized, "Maximal efficiency and aesthetic comes from modest individualized deposits, not
bolus or overcorrection.”

Murawski M. et al, Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 2021; 41(8): NP190–NP197