If you have wished for your lips to me more plump and smooth, the solutions that you would have come across are surgery or lip fillers.
Lip fillers are a very popular way of increasing the size of lips and making them more plump and smooth. These are minimally invasive and the recovery time is very short as compared to a surgery.
What are lip fillers?
Lip fillers are injections that enhance the lips by adding volume. These are most popular type dermal fillers. Lip fillers have a synthetic hyaluronic acid, which is a natural substance in the body. Many different brands of lip fillers are available in the market.
Who can use lip fillers?
Using lip fillers is a personal decision just like hair laser removal. If you want to be considered for lip fillers you must:
- Have a good physical health
- Keep your expectations realistic
- Not have an oral infection that is active, like cold sores or canker sores
People who opt for lip fillers, do so for various reasons, like:
- Restoring the lip size: As we age, our lips may get thinner or smaller, the philtrum or the groove between the upper lip and septum, may get longer or flatter. Sometimes the distance between the corners of the mouth also increases.
- Correcting the shape: Lips can sometimes be asymmetrical or of different sizes.
- Smoothening of wrinkles: As we age, we develop wrinkles.
- Enhancing confidence: Getting lip fillers helps many people in boosting their self-esteem and tackle any body image issues.
All about the procedure
When you decide to get a lip filler, the first step will be to book an appointment with a certified and reputed plastic surgeon. Before you select a surgeon you must do your research well and read reviews and feedbacks. It wise to choose a clinic or surgeon who have been in the business for a few years and have recommendations from previous patients. According to experts the lip fillers are usually safe, and as long as you choose the right expert you need not worry about anything going wrong.
On the D-day, you will go to the surgeons clinic. A topical anaesthetic will be applied on your lips. The doctor will perform a test to ensure you are not allergic to the filler material. If you skin reacts or shows signs of an allergic reaction, the doctor will suggest an alternative lip filler to you.
If your doctor foresees a need, they may use a thin injection to inject small amount of anaesthetic in the bottom lip and inside of your mouth to make it numb. Once the anaesthetic starts working and your lips are numb, the doctor will start injecting the filler into the lips.
Before and after the procedure
Before you go for the procedure, your surgeon will ask you some questions like: why you want lip fillers, what are your expectations from the procedure and who is encouraging you to undergo the procedure.
The surgeon will also evaluate your physical health and the shape of your face. This is the right time to discuss your expectation and talk about what kind of look you want. Clearly discuss if you have any allergies and the medications you are currently on.
After the procedure, the surgeon will observe you for about 15 minutes to ensure there is no reaction and you are not feeling any discomfort. You may observe some swelling in the lips after the procedure, it usually subsides in 24 to 48 hours.
The below tips will help you ease any discomfort and heal soon:
- Apply an ice pack to reduce pain, swelling and inflammation
- Avoid using lipstick, lip gloss or any make up product on your lips for at least one day
- Brush your teeth carefully
- Drink enough water and keep yourself hydrated
- Do not touch or pucker your lips
- Avoid any strenuous exercise for at least 24 hours
How long will the lip filler last?
Typically, lip fillers last for 12 to 18 months. However, the exact time period varies from person to person. The pace at which your body will break down calories by metabolising them will define the longevity of the filler. In younger people, the fillers don’t last very long as they tend to burn calories faster.
