Most Lip Fillers Contain Hyaluronic Acid
There are a lot of different injectable fillers on the market. Different fillers are made from a range of biocompatible materials. In the early 2000’s, the filler ingredient of choice was collagen, a type of protein that the body naturally produces. Today, hyaluronic acid is the most common ingredient for lip injections. There’s even a filler, Juvederm Volbella, that is specifically designed for use in the lips.
Like collagen, the human body naturally produces hyaluronic acid. Unlike collagen, it’s not a protein but a type of sugar. It’s known for its ability to attract water and to create natural-looking fullness in the areas where it’s injected.
The Injector Matters More Than the Injection
You could spend hours debating with yourself about whether one brand of hyaluronic filler injection is better than another. But when it comes to getting great results, what matters the most is the person who performs the procedure. Lip injections are a sort of art form. How skilled the surgeon is and the amount of experience they have with lip augmentation really plays a big role when it comes to determining the type of results you’ll get.
Take your time choosing your injector. You want to get a sense of their experience and training as well as a sense that they understand what you are looking to achieve with your injections. Before-and-after photos can also be helpful in setting your expectations.
Downtime Is Minimal
Compared to facial plastic surgery or other more invasive non-surgical procedures, downtime after lip injections is pretty much non-existent. You’ll be back to business as usual pretty much right away. That said, you will want to put off some activities for about a day or so after your injections. For example, you’ll want to hold off on exercise for the first day. It’s also a good idea to avoid any activities that increase blood flow to the face and to avoid anything that can thin the blood, such as taking aspirin or having a glass of wine at dinner (just for that first day, usually).
You Can Space Out Your Injections
When it comes to lip injections, everyone’s worse nightmare is walking out of the provider’s practice with overly inflated, unnatural-looking lips. While it’s definitely possible to go overboard with fillers, it’s also possible to take things one step at a time. You can receive a small amount of filler, such as half a vial, then decide if you’d like the injector to use the rest at a later date.
If you space out the injections, the result is more subtle. It also gives you greater control over the final results.
You Can “Undo” Lip Injections
Hyaluronic acid fillers and other types of injectable fillers don’t provide permanent results. Left alone, the filler will dissolve over time and be metabolized by your body so that you’re back to square one. Usually, results last anywhere from a few months to a full year, depending on the type of filler used and your metabolism.
If you decide you’re over the fillers before they’ve worn off or if you realize that you’re not into them at all, it is possible to reverse the injections without having to wait for them to wear off. Your injector can reverse the treatment with a syringe of hyaluronidase, an enzyme that dissolves hyaluronic acid quickly.
You Do Want to Prep a Bit Beforehand
Although lip injections are a quick way to add volume to the lips, they do require a small amount of prep and planning. A few days before your injection, you’ll want to stop using vitamin E, blood thinning medications, including aspirin, and take a break from drinking alcohol. Your injector will give you specific instructions based on the type of filler you’re getting.
Dr. Shervin Naderi was named one of realself’s Top 25 Most Loved Injectors in the US for 2017. He offers patients a variety of options for lip augmentation, including Juvederm Volbella. To learn more about Dr. Naderi and to see for yourself why he’s one of the most sought-after injectors in the country, call 703-481-0002 (Herndon, VA Office) or 301-222-2020 (Chevy Chase, MD) to learn more. You can also contact us online for more information or to schedule a consultation.
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