Lip augmentation is used to add volume, restore symmetry, and improve the contours of the lips. Traditionally, this has been accomplished through lip implants, silicone devices that can be inserted into the lips through small incisions at the corners of the mouth. Implants, however, can shift, become visible, or otherwise negatively impact outcomes.
Lip fillers offer a safe, reliable, and completely reversible option for lip augmentation. Unlike implants, fillers cannot shift or distort. They do not have edges that can become visible, and their results are very predictable.
If you have been considering lip augmentation, give us a call at 913-341-2188 to schedule your consultation today.
What Are Lip Fillers?
Lip fillers are dermal fillers that can be used to enhance the size, shape, and symmetry of the lips. Your lips often get thinner as you age due to the reduction in collagen production, resulting in loss of hydration and elasticity of the skin. Lip fillers can help you regain a youthful appearance within a short time and without pain. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is the most common active ingredient in lip fillers and is available in a variety of brands and formulations.
Lip fillers are dermal fillers that can be used to enhance the size, shape, and symmetry of the lips. At Advanced Cosmetic Surgery, we use fillers from the JUVÉDERM® and Restylane® families for lip augmentation. These fillers have been on the market for several years and are known for their safety and efficacy.
Lip fillers are injected into carefully selected areas of the lips where they work to add volume and improve the appearance of the mouth. Fillers can also be used around the lips to smooth wrinkles such as lipstick lines. Because they are hyaluronic acid fillers, both JUVÉDERM and Restylane products can be reversed if outcomes are not in line with desires.
How Do Lip Fillers Work?
At Advanced Cosmetic Surgery, we prioritize patient comfort and safety during each lip filler procedure. To start, your provider will numb your lips with a topical cream or gel to ensure your treatment is pain-free. Then, the lip filler will be injected using very fine needles to reduce discomfort and bruising further. During injection, a sculpting of the lips to your desired shape and fullness will also take place. In some cases, a round micro cannula is used to deliver the filler to the entire lips from a single entry point on each side of the mouth without the use of any needles. This approach makes it very unlikely that you'll experience any bruising afterward.
You should expect some mild swelling for the next day or two after the procedure, which you can relieve with ice packs. You should be able to return to your daily activities immediately. The lack of any required downtime after this procedure also means you can get it done during your lunch hour without disrupting your routine.
What Is Hyaluronic Acid?
Our dermal fillers are made with hyaluronic acid (HA) to enhance the appearance of the lips. Hyaluronic acid, or hyaluronan or hyaluronate, is a naturally occurring substance in the body that helps with water retention and skin flexibility and prevents bones from grinding against each other.
When applied as an ingredient in dermal fillers, hyaluronic acid can lead to a plumped, smooth, and well-hydrated look. Because the body naturally produces HA, it is biocompatible and reduces the risk of an allergic reaction. It also causes fewer side effects like bruising, lumps, and swelling than other types of fillers like collagen. HA also allows your surgeon to easily control the volume needed to give your lips a soft look that doesn't look overfilled.
Many brands of HA-based lip filler are available, including the following:
- Juvéderm
- Juvéderm Volbella and Ultra
- Restylane
- Restylane Silk
All of the above products add shape, volume, and structure to your lips, although personal factors like age and anatomy will determine the best one for you.
Aftercare
Following your dermal filler treatment, you should see greater definition in your lips very quickly after the initial swelling subsides. While you can typically resume most activities immediately, there are a few tips that can make your aftercare easier.
For example, you can apply an ointment like Aquaphor Lip Repair as directed by your surgeon. You should also use cold packs to minimize swelling. In addition, you should avoid blood-thinning medication like aspirin for at least one day to minimize the risk of bruising. Furthermore, you should refrain from applying firm pressure to your lips for at least a week.
Can I Smoke After Lip Fillers?
Smoking can complicate both the immediate and long-term results of lip augmentation. In the immediate, smoking increases the chances of infection and slows the healing process, which can result in bruising, swelling, and other unpleasant outcomes. In the long term, smoking increases skin laxity, reduces collagen and elastin, and produces deep wrinkles around the lips. These things will quickly and negatively impact lip augmentation outcomes.
How Long After Lip Fillers Can I Wear Lipstick?
You can start to wear lipstick within two to three days after receiving lip fillers. It can take a few days for swelling to subside after lip augmentation. It is a good idea to wait until the swelling has diminished before wearing lipstick. It is also a good idea to be very careful when applying lipstick for the first few weeks. Some bruising and tenderness may be possible during this time. Reducing irritation can assist with these issues.
Schedule a Consultation Today
Can You Drink Alcohol After Lip Fillers?
Alcohol is a blood thinner. When consumed too quickly after lip augmentation, it can increase the risks of bruising, swelling, and infection. It is best to wait for 24 to 48 hours before you have a drink following lip fillers.
Can You Get Lip Fillers at 17?
You must be 18 years old to receive lip fillers without parental consent.
If you are 18 or older, you can learn if lip fillers are a good solution for your needs through a one-on-one consultation at the Leawood office of Dr. Levi Young. During this visit, we will carefully assess your areas of concern, provide information about all of your treatment options, and help you choose the best services for your goals.
Am I a Good Candidate for Lip Filler?
Patients who have thin lips, either due to genetics or the natural aging process, are considered good candidates for lip fillers. They also have realistic expectations of what lip augmentation with dermal fillers can and cannot do.
What Are the Different Types of Lip Fillers?
Several types of fillers can be used for lip augmentation. Some dermal fillers have smaller microspheres, which are metabolized faster than others with larger microspheres. During your consultation, Dr. Young will discuss which fillers will work best and last the longest.
How Long Do Lip Fillers Last?
Lip fillers usually last between 12 to 18 months. The longevity of your lip fillers depends on the type of filler injected and whether you return for maintenance appointments. Many patients choose to return at regular intervals for touch-up injections to maximize their results.
What if I Don’t Like the Results?
If you are unhappy with the results, we can inject a particular enzyme called Hyalase. Hyalase, also known as hyaluronidase, can break down filler that is lumpy or moved in position. Once the filler dissolves, we can then reinject your lips to ensure we help you reach your aesthetic goals.
What Are the Benefits of Lip Fillers?
Lip fillers offer many benefits, some of which include:
- Restoring lost lip volume.
- Enhancing the Cupid’s bow.
- Minimizing the appearance of vertical lip lines.
- Being a painless, minimally invasive procedure that can be performed in less than 60 minutes.
- Long-lasting results.
- Boosts confidence levels.
Who Should Avoid Lip Fillers?
Patients who have or have had recent bacterial, viral, or fungal infections of the lip area should not have lip injections. Patients who have underlying bleeding disorders or allergies to lidocaine or collagen also need to avoid lip fillers.
Read what our patients are saying!
"Love the new look! One of the best decisions I ever made was trusting Dr. Young and his staff. Thank you for your kind spirit, warm and thoughtful bedside manner, and brilliant surgical expertise."
Click here to read more reviews
Please call Advanced Cosmetic Surgery at 913-341-2188 to schedule your lip augmentation consultation today. Dr. Young is a board-certified plastic surgeon who welcomes patients from Kansas City, Overland Park, and all nearby areas of Kansas and Missouri.
.png)
.png)