Fillers for Lips: Shaping and Volume Build-Up
Full and shapely lips are one of the face’s most attractive features. Unfortunately, not everyone is blessed with plump lips, and some people may experience a loss of volume and definition due to ageing. However, with advances in cosmetic treatments, enhancing the lips’ shape and volume with minimally invasive procedures like fillers is now possible.
Fillers are injectable gels made up of hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring substance in the body that helps maintain skin hydration and elasticity. Fillers can add volume, contour, and definition to create a more aesthetically pleasing appearance when injected into the lips. Fillers can be used to treat a variety of concerns, including thin or uneven lips, drooping corners of the mouth, and fine lines around the lips.
Lip filler treatments take around 15-30 minutes. The treatment area will be numbed with a topical anaesthetic to minimize discomfort during injection. A small needle or cannula is used to inject the filler into the lips. The technique depends on the patient’s desired outcome, anatomy, and filling level.
The results of lip filler treatments are immediate, with the lips appearing fuller and more defined. The treated area may have swelling, redness, or bruising, but these side effects usually resolve within a few days. We generally perform this treatment on a Friday afternoon, so there is a weekend to recover from the initial swelling. The longevity of the results will depend on several factors, including the type of filler used, the amount injected, and the individual’s metabolism. Typically, the results of lip filler treatments can last anywhere from six months to a year.
Fillers are generally safe when administered by a qualified and experienced practitioner. However, like all cosmetic treatments, there are some risks involved. Lip filler treatments’ most common side effects include swelling, bruising, redness, and tenderness. More severe side effects, such as infection and allergic reactions, may occur in rare cases.
Fillers for lips are an effective and safe way to enhance the shape and volume of the lips. With minimal downtime and immediate results, lip filler treatments are popular for those looking to improve their appearance.
The filler can be dissolved in case there is felt to be an overfilling after a fortnight by using an injection of hyaluronidase. However, we prefer to undertreat initially, as adding more filler later is more straightforward than dissolving.
You should not have this treatment if you have essential engagements in the 2 weeks following the treatment due to the uncertain duration of swelling response and bruise that may follow.