Lip Fillers
Lip fillers (dermal filler) is a substance which is injected into the skin to plump it up, make it firmer as well as smooth out lines and wrinkles. There are many types of dermal fillers on the market. We choose synthetically produced, non-animal derived products consisting of hyaluronic acid (HA), which is a natural chemical constituent of the skin. These products are far less likely to produce allergic reactions than older dermal fillers such as collagen which is derived from cow hide, so allergy testing is not required.
Fillers come in different thicknesses. In general, the thicker the product, the deeper it is injected into the skin to help plump out fine to deep lines and wrinkles. The dermal filler then remains in the skin, where it binds with water to produce a lift as well as give firmness to the treated area. Juvederm ® and Restylane are our dermal fillers of choice.
They are an excellent treatment option for:
· Deep folds
· Lip enhancement (lip fillers)
· Facial contouring
· Wrinkle correction
· Skin hydration
Juvederm® Lip Filler Benefits
Your Questions Answered
How can dermal fillers work for me?
Dermal fillers can help to fill out lines and wrinkles around your mouth, eyes, nose, as well as forehead;
· Lip Fillers – give your mouth a fuller form by enhancing the lips to produce better definition as well as a plumper appearance
· Facial Contouring – for example, to the cheeks and lower face – can be achieved using dermal fillers to smooth out the hollows and improve the facial contour
How long does a treatment take/last?
A dermal filler treatment usually takes around 30-45 minutes. For lip enhancements, topical anaesthetic cream will be applied for longer to reduce any discomfort.
Typically, the results of dermal fillers last six to eighteen months but this varies from one person to another and the thickness of the filler used as well. The filler is gradually broken down and absorbed by the body. The lines, wrinkles or lips will therefore return to their previous appearance if the area is not retreated.
What can I expect post treatment?
Depending on the area injected and the type of filler or pain control used, patients find the procedure relatively painless to mildly uncomfortable. Lip filler and dermal filler treatments around the nose are usually a little tender. As a result, we choose to use numbing creams prior to most dermal filler treatments. We have have found this method of pain control to be very effective.
Post treatment advice:
- Use cool packs to help reduce swelling and discomfort.
- There should be little need to massage the filler.
- If required, take Paracetamol, for a few days after treatment. Avoid Aspirin or Nurofen as this may increase the risk of bruising.
- Arnica cream or tablets may be taken a few days before and for a few days after treatment as there is some evidence to suggest this can reduce bruising.
- The swelling should subside after a couple of days with the bruising taking up to 5-7 days to subside. Contact us if you continue to experience very painful swelling and bruising, or if any blistering occurs. This also applies if you experience any delayed reactions such as lumpy redness as it may indicate an allergic reaction.
Are there side effects?
The most obvious immediate side effect is slight bleeding where the needle has been inserted into the skin. Other risks include mild to moderate bruising, as well as redness and swelling around the site of injection. These signs usually take several days to subside, but may take a little longer on lip fillers where there is little flesh and the skin is more tender.
In some cases, allergic type reactions can occur after treatment with some fillers. These include prolonged redness, swelling, itching as well as hardness and bumps in the skin. Such signs may appear at some, or all, of the points of injection. Sometimes, they can last for several months or longer, but this is not a common occurrence.
If you have a history of cold sores, or fever blisters in the treated area, filler injections may cause them to break out again. In these cases, your practitioner may recommend that you take an anti-herpes medicine before treatment to help reduce the likelihood of an outbreak of cold sores.
Very occasionally, delayed side effects can occur many months after the first treatment. These side-effects usually appear as red lumps showing up underneath the skin. Sometimes, these may be permanent. There is also some evidence that these side effects are more common with some of the newer, permanent, bead containing fillers.