When we hear the word ‘filler’ in the modern aesthetic world, we often envisage an image of an unnatural and over-filled look. It’s important for people to understand that these types of results come from inexperienced practitioners who don’t understand the anatomy of the lips and how they are affected by the ageing process.
There are many points that not just the aesthetics practitioner should know about but also the patient, which is why this blog will help you to understand the fundamentals of achieving natural yet enhanced lips with aesthetic treatments.
What are Lip Fillers?
Lip fillers, also known as dermal fillers, are a type of injectable that add volume to the lips for a bigger and plumper pout. Fillers can not only create a fuller look but also smoothen out lines and wrinkles, restore confidence, and correct asymmetrical lips. The treatment is not permanent, and it usually lasts any time between 6 and 18 months, depending on the type of lip filling procedure and your body’s metabolism.
Are Lip Fillers Safe?
If you are considering receiving dermal filler, then it’s important for you to know why you would like it and whether you actually need it. Lip fillers can be safe when completed by an experienced and qualified practitioner, so it’s important to check they’re on the official register to prove they’re capable of meeting high standards in their skills, training, and insurance. It’s extremely important to choose the right practitioner and clinic so the risks can be minimised, and safety can be maximised.
Lip fillers aren’t advised for most younger people under the age of 25, as they aren’t necessarily needed and can increase the risk of complications later down the line if the lips are overdone. However, some people are born with thin lips and seek treatment to increase their self-esteem, which is fine, but they must be aware of the risks, including infection, lumpy skin, filler migration, scarring, and blocked blood vessels if undertaken by an inexperienced non-medical practitioner.
The Types of Lip Filler Treatments
There are two types of lip treatments: Lip Rejuvenation and Lip Augmentation:
Lip Augmentation is more suitable for younger patients who wish to change the shape and volume of their lips. It’s a common trend influenced by celebrities and social media, however, patients must understand the risks as a lot of harm can be done if the procedure isn’t done correctly.
There are risks of long-term changes to the skin and structure of your lips as you get older, as Lip Augmentation alters the anatomy of the lips which increases the risk of blocked arteries and other issues such as dropping and sagging if not done properly. When something like this goes wrong, it can be challenging to correct. So, it’s vital to choose the right aesthetics doctor.
Lip Rejuvenation is a more common lip filler treatment for patients aged 40 and over that require the treatment to correct physical changes in their appearance. Rejuvenation with filler restores a more youthful look to the lip and helps reverse visible changes like lines, wrinkles, and changes in shape, all of which naturally occur with age.
What Patients Should Expect During the Procedure
In most cases, we use a blunt tip cannula for lip fillers as this is much safer than a needle. A topical anaesthetic is added to the lips to make the process as comfortable as possible by numbing the pain. Typically, in an average procedure to enhance the volume of the lips, you can expect injections in the curve of the centre of your upper lip, also known as the Cupid’s Bow. Plus, injections in the edge of your lips (the Vermillion Border), in the corners of your mouth (the Oral Commissures), and between the top of your lip and the bottom of your nose (the Philtrum). And don’t worry, the cannula won’t go any deeper than 2.5 millimetres (mm) into your lips!
Before and after a natural lip enhancement
At Skin Excellence, we use an injection of anaesthetic for a pain-free procedure. Lip filler treatments usually take about an hour to complete, and lips may feel bruised, swollen, and sensitive for the first 24 to 48 hours.
Why Skin Excellence Can Help Patients Achieve Natural-Looking Lip Fillers
Lip treatments are a mixture of science and art. The doctor must have outstanding knowledge and know the anatomy of the lips like the back of their hand, as well as have the artistic flare to shape, volumize, and perfect the lips according to their patient’s requirements. It’s not a procedure that just anyone can do, lip fillers require many years of experience.
The right clinic and doctor will help you achieve natural-looking lips with fillers through a consultation where your lips and face will be analysed to understand what treatments need to be done to achieve your wants and needs. Sometimes, fillers in other areas of the face could be required to achieve a desired look. A full consultation will help our doctors understand the anatomy of your individual lips and the ratios required to achieve that natural yet noticeable result.
Our clinics are unique, CQC-regulated and one of the safest in the country. Being CQC-regulated means that we are within the same regulatory body as hospitals, GPs, dentists, and more. Patient health and safety are always at the forefront of our minds, and we are reputable for achieving the best results. Even though going to your average beautician might be cheaper, it can be dangerous with complications like filler migration. More serious adverse effects, including artery blockage and blindness, are increasingly common when carried out by non-medically trained practitioners. You can read more about the importance of safety in aesthetics here.
It’s important to research your desired lip filler treatment, as well as the clinic and practitioner. Remember to ask any questions to ensure you feel confident and comfortable in the hands of the doctor and the environment around you.
You can book your consultation today by calling us on 0800 298 2391. We have clinics in Plymouth and Wells that provide the highest quality, safest, non-surgical treatments in the South and South West.