What You Need To Know Before Getting Lip Fillers

If you want luscious full defined lips, you may have thought about lip fillers. This non-surgical procedure involves injections of dermal filler to increase the volume of the lips for a fuller pout. Lip fillers involve little to no downtime and can be performed in less than an hour in clinic. It’s one of the most popular cosmetic treatments in Australia and around the world. Keep reading to find everything you need to know about dermal fillers and what you can expect after the procedure.

What Are Lip Filler Injections?
As part of the natural ageing process, the body produces less collagen, and we lose volume in the face. Collagen is the protein that makes your skin springy and your lips full. Lip filler injections replace the lost volume and collagen with dermal filler - a substance made from naturally-occurring hyaluronic acid. By replacing the lost volume, your lips appear fuller, smoother and more youthful. Dermal fillers can also improve the symmetry of the lips and smooth away wrinkles in the corners of the mouth. According to a Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery study, dermal filler for lip augmentation is “well-tolerated, efficient and durable”.

What Happens During the Procedure?
Before you can have lip filler injections, you’ll need to attend a consultation with a board-certified practitioner. It’s a good idea to look at online reviews before choosing a clinic. Lip fillers are considered a very safe treatment, but it’s important that you choose an experienced clinician.

At the start of the treatment, the practitioner will apply a topical anesthetic to minimize any discomfort. Sometimes aesthetic is included in the dermal filler product and injected at the same time. Your clinician will inject small amounts of dermal filler in strategic locations on your lips. You may feel pressure as the dermal filler is applied, but this doesn’t last long and isn’t painful. The entire procedure lasts around 30 minutes. You can leave the clinic and go back to work and social activities immediately.

What Happens After the Procedure?
After lip filler injections, you may experience some mild swelling around your lips. It’s also quite common to see small red spots around the injection sites. These effects generally last for a few hours post-procedure. In rare cases, there is a risk of bruising around the lips. This can take up to 72 hours to subside. It’s worth chatting with your clinician about ways to reduce post-injection bruising, as there are steps you can take.

Your lips may feel different for a day or so. According to lip fillers Brisbane experts, you should avoid hot saunas, baths, and strenuous exercise for a couple of days after the procedure. If you suffer from cold sores, it’s also important to speak to your clinician before you start to reduce the likelihood of post-injection coldsores.

How Soon Will I See the Results?
You will be able to see a noticeable improvement immediately following the lip filler injections. Over the next two weeks, the filler will settle, and you will be able to see the full results of treatment. Most clinicians will recommend you attend a post-treatment consultation after this time to evaluate the results.

How Long After Lip Fillers Can I Wear Lipstick?
Your lips may feel tender and slightly sore immediately after treatment, so your clinician may recommend that you avoid lipstick for the rest of the day. However, there is no medical reason stopping you from applying lipstick following lip fillers, although lip balms may nourish the area in the immediate short term.

How Do I Maintain Lip Fillers?
Lip filler results are not permanent. Over time, your body will start to break down and absorb the lip filler product. For most people, results last for 6-12 months. However, the longevity of results can depend on the type of dermal filler used and your metabolism and lifestyle. To maintain your lip filler results, you should schedule a top-up treatment around six months after your initial treatment.

Are Lip Fillers Painful?

No. The lip filler treatment itself is relatively painless. A topical anesthetic is applied to reduce any discomfort, and the injections only take around 30 minutes to be applied. Like all injectable treatments, you may experience some mild redness and swelling following lip fillers. However, any side effects are usually mild and should subside within 48-72 hours of the procedure.

What if I Don’t Like the Results?
It’s important to attend a consultation before your lip filler injections. This is so your clinician can determine if you’re a good candidate and provide you with an opportunity to ask any questions you might have about the treatment. If you are unhappy with the results, your clinician will be able to use a corrective enzyme called hyaluronidase. This enzyme dissolves the filler product to return your lips to their pre-treatment appearance.

Are Lip Filler Injections Worth It?
Lip fillers are one of the most popular cosmetic treatments. According to Real Self, 95% of people that have lip augmentation consider the treatment worth it. I’ve personally had lip fillers twice now and I love the feeling of full plump lips - it’s a fast, safe, and effective way to enhance your lips and boost your self-confidence.