Dermal Fillers

Lip fillers are dermal fillers injected into lips, designed to restore or add volume to the lips. Dermal fillers are made of synthetic hyaluronic acid (HA) — HA is a naturally occurring substance produced in the body. What differentiates dermal fillers from one another is primarily molecule size. Typically, lip fillers are made with a smaller molecule size, creating a softer effect. 

Deciding to have lip filler is a personal decision. Some common reasons people seek lip fillers are:

• ADDS VOLUME & HYDRATION
• RESTORE A YOUTHFUL APPEARANCE. As we age, our lips become thinner, our philtrum (the groove between your upper lip and septum) gets longer and flatter, and the distance between the corners of our mouths increases. We can counteract the effect of aging by restoring lost volume and shape in the lip area.
• CORRECT OR ADD SHAPE

There are plenty of dermal filler options available today, so choosing which product to go with probably seems confusing or overwhelming. Here at Absolute Aesthetics, our expert aesthetic injectors will help you select a product based on your goals and to achieve the best results. We carry Juvederm Ultra, Juvederm Ultra Plus, Restylane L, Restylane Lyft, Juvederm Voluma, and Versa!

Over time, hyaluronic acid fillers are naturally absorbed, a process that typically takes 6-24 months. Factors like age, metabolism, and placement of the filler can affect longevity. . If, for any reason, a client wants to speed up this process, we can inject Hylenex, a product that dissolves dermal filler in a matter of days. Lip fillers, in specific, typically last anywhere from 6 to 12 months due to the smaller molecule size and the fact that the lips are in area of constant movement. 

A typical lip filler appointment begins with a consultation. During the consultation, we review your medical history, discuss your goals, talk about expectations, and create a custom treatment plan. If you decide to move forward after the consultation, we’ll apply a topical numbing cream to make the procedure comfortable. Most clients report feeling a slight pinch, but the filler itself does not hurt. Once numbed, the lip filler injections take anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes.

It’s possible that you might bruise, swell, and/or experience sensitivity in the treated area. A majority of the bruising, swelling, and sensitivity resolves in the first 72 hours, but it can take up to 2 weeks to completely settle. It’s completely normal for swelling to be uneven, to bruise on one side, but not the other, or to experience different side effects at each appointment. For example, you might bruise after your first lip filler appointment but experience no bruising at all after your second. 

Lip fillers are generally considered a safe procedure if, and only if, you choose an experienced provider. Your provider should have a deep understanding of facial anatomy and experience in safe injectable practices. Injecting dermal fillers is an art, so it’s important to find a provider who understands facial proportions and can give you the look you want without looking overdone.

There are no studies on whether lip fillers are safe during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. It has not been approved by the FDA. As a measure of precaution, we do not perform lip fillers on women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. 

Your preparation for Dermal Filler should start at least a week before your appointment. During this period, you ought to avoid taking blood-thinning medication. Such popular drugs as aspirin or ibuprofen can thin the blood, and this may result in bruising or swelling in the post-treatment period. At the same time, you should give up consuming some supplements and herbs that contain blood-thinning ingredients (garlic, ginger, turmeric, and others). If you’re planning to get injections in the skin above your upper lip, refrain from any types of hair removal.

Two days before injection, stop using lip balms and care products featuring Retinol, retinoid, glycolic acid, and vitamin E. To prevent bruising, you might start taking Arnica supplements. They are also helpful in promoting recovery after you get injections done.

Alcohol is a no-no 24 hours before treatment. It not only thins your blood but also retains water in your body. This may lead to swelling.