Lips are typically a face’s defining feature. In turn, lip fillers are among the most requested cosmetic procedures. Despite the relatively small portion lips are to one’s face, they have a significant impact on a person’s overall appearance. As we age, our lips undergo dramatic changes, resulting in thinner lips and loss of structure. Lip fillers can soften and add structure to provide lip rejuvenation while maintaining a natural look. Some clients seek lip fillers to correct asymmetry, or simply plump and add volume.
Hyaluronic acid fillers are the ideal choice for lip fillers due to its safety profile and reversible quality. Some hyaluronic acids we use most commonly are Restylane®, Juvederm® Ultra +, and Juvederm®Volbella. These lip fillers are FDA approved to last one year. Because lips are almost always moving during daily life, the product can shear, and therefore cause the product to have a shorter lifespan. Often, at Coastal Plastic Surgery, we may use filler in conjunction with a minute amount of neuromodulators such as Dysport® or Botox® to help the product last longer. The Dysport® or Botox® will also help prevent or soften peri-oral lines around the mouth, often called the “kissing lines.” Hyaluronic acid has an “antidote” that can reverse the filler called hyaluronidase which can be used to melt the product if you no longer desire it.
Two preferable qualities of lip fillers are that there is little downtime and the results are almost immediate. Some clients express concerns regarding a potential “unnatural looking” result. At Coastal Plastic Surgery, we take great pride in our ability to take a client’s facial anatomy into consideration to determine how much volume should be added to achieve a natural, aesthetically-pleasing look. Some potential temporary side effects to consider with lip fillers are bruising and swelling, which resolve on their own within a few days. We do recommend avoiding Vitamin E, Fish Oil, Ibuprofen, Aleve, Motrin, and Aspirin, which all thin the blood, for at least 1 week prior to the procedure. This can help limit the potential bruising afterwards.
Filler will help improve the appearance of one’s lips and we will consider multi-modality treatments for the peri-oral area. Botox® or Dysport® may be used for “kissing lines,” as previously mentioned, and Fraxel® or microneedling can be used to help resurface the skin and create beautiful and natural outcomes.
In conclusion, whether your goal is to finally wear lipstick without the dreaded “lipstick bleed”, correct asymmetry or enhance and plump your lips, lip filler may be the solution.
For more information on lip fillers or to schedule an appointment in our Massachusetts offices in Hingham, Boston or Nantucket, please contact us here.
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