What You Need To Know About Lip Filler Before You See A Doctor

Are you considering lip fillers? Besides the eyes, the lips are the first thing that many people see first when they meet someone (when they’re not wearing a mask, that is). They also tend to be something that people are very self conscious about, which leads a lot of people to seek out treatment options to help build them up. 

But is there anything that you need to know about lip fillers before heading to the doctor? 

Miami Skin Institute has the answers to the common questions people ask about lip fillers, and even a few that people don’t think to ask. 

What Are Lip Fillers Made From?

While there are a number of different brands of lip fillers out there, they are mostly all made from the same two main ingredients — collagen and hyaluronic acid (HA). With collagen based lip fillers, the main ingredient is used to just literally plump up the lip with volume. With hyaluronic acid based lip fillers, there is physical volume being added with the added benefit of trapping the water molecules inside the lip as well. For this reason, lip fillers that are hyaluronic acid based tend to produce a more natural looking lip. 

Generally speaking, hyaluronic acid lip fillers are more popular than collagen based fillers. They also are less likely to cause side effects.

So, There Are Two Different Kinds of Filler?

Here’s where it gets really interesting! Yes, there are two different main ingredients that lip fillers are usually made from. But, within those categories, there are multiple different subcategories that provide different types of results. 

One of the major companies, Juvederm, has two separate lip fillers that work in slightly different ways. Juvederm Volbella creates a more subtle lip profile, while Juvederm Ultra XC adds even more fullness. And that’s just one company! That’s why it’s so important to make sure that you trust the provider and ask questions so that you can get just the result that you’re looking for.

How Much Filler Am I Going To Need?

The exact amount of filler that you need really depends on what you’re hoping to achieve. For a smaller plumping effect, you will need less than if you’re hoping to really change the entire profile of your lip. 

In addition, many people aren’t aware that achieving a fuller, more plump lip can actually take more than one session. Providers will often use a layered approach to injecting lip fillers over time, building them up slowly to help them look as natural as possible. With that technique, it’s possible to completely create an entirely new lip profile.

Is It Going To Hurt?

Realistically, you’re having needles injected into your lips, so yes… there will be some discomfort. However, the extent that it will hurt has a lot to do with the person who is actually doing the injections. Trained, experienced providers will likely be more comfortable using the syringe than newer providers, which also means it will probably hurt less as well. 

In some cases, providers may use numbing gel to prep the lips before the injections, which can significantly minimize pain. Some go even one step further, by using full dental blocks to completely numb the area. Keep in mind that a dental block also involves needles, but it may be worth it if you don’t think you can sit still during the procedure. 

What Can Go Wrong?

Just like any medication and medical procedure, lip fillers can have some side effects or other negative effects. Making sure that you use only licensed, experienced professionals can really help minimize those risks. 

One of the major concerns is that you may have an allergic reaction to the ingredients in the lip filler. This is the case for any new medication that you may come into contact with, though. Because lip fillers are given in an office under medical supervision, you can be sure that you’ll be in good hands in the rare event that anything does happen. In addition, there is a slightly increased risk with collagen based lip fillers over the more popular hyaluronic acid fillers. 

Infection is also a risk with any kind of injectable. Having it performed by a licensed professional significantly reduces that risk, because your procedure will be performed in a sterile environment.

How Long Do Lip Fillers Last?

Lip fillers don’t have a standard on how long that they last, because it depends a lot on the type of filler used and how old the person getting it may be. Generally, though, lip fillers should last anywhere from 4 – 6 months at a time before needing to be refreshed. The results are also nearly instant, after the initial swelling fades. Eventually, though, the lip filler will naturally degrade on its own and the result will diminish. Over time, you’ll learn exactly how long yours will last so that you can schedule your appointments accordingly.

What Happens If I Don’t Like Them?

Some people take the leap and don’t end up liking the results all that much. Does that mean that you just have to deal with them for 4 – 6 months until they finally fade away?

Luckily, no! If you have given it some time and you really don’t like the way the lip fillers make you look, there are ways that you can get rid of them quicker. The only caveat to this is that it only works if the lip filler you had injected is hyaluronic acid based. A specific enzyme, known as hyaluronidase, helps to naturally dissolve the ingredients in those fillers. You can ask your provider if the lip fillers aren’t for you, and they can use this injectable to help correct any problems or remove the filler entirely. 

In Conclusion

Lip fillers are a major step to take, and one that should be considered fully before making the decision to have them done. Knowing what questions to ask, and what you should know before making an appointment, can help you really decide to know if fillers are right for you. Miami Skin Institute knows how important your face is to you, and we want you to be happy about what you see in the mirror. Miami Skin Filler Treatment can do just that, restoring your appearance in a natural and unobvious way helping to defy the aging process. 

Sources:

https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-1062/hyaluronic-acid

https://www.juvederm.com/

https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/hyaluronidase-injection-route-subcutaneous-route/description/drg-20064183