Health

Lip Injections: Picking a Perfect Pout

What is Lip Enhancement?

Lip enhancement is a cosmetic procedure used to restore or increase fullness and shape to the lips, making them more aesthetically pleasing. Individuals who have lips that have thinned with age or naturally thin lips from birth can benefit from lip enhancement treatments.

The three primary ways lip enhancement can help your facial appearance:

  • Structure
  • Shape
  • Volume

Temporary Lip Enhancement Solutions

Injectable dermal fillers can be used to fill in wrinkles or as “volumisers” used to fill out and plump up various parts of the face, including the lips.

Fat Injection

One of the most natural ways to fill or augment the lips is to use the individual’s fat. Fat injection is a process whereby fat is taken from the body, purified, and injected into the lips. Fat is taken away from parts of the body where there is some excess fat using a “mini” liposuction method. The fat cells are then washed and purified very carefully and eventually injected into the lips to make a fuller appearance in the lip area.

Hyaluronic Acid Fillers

Hyaluronic acid fillers are the most common fillers used today because they consist of a naturally occurring substance found in the human body. Hyaluronic acid fillers are injected into the lips to add volume and improve structure and shape. When injected they support facial tissues and structures that may have lost elasticity or volume because of the ageing process. They also cause water to rise to the surface of the skin to keep it looking fresh and supple.

Brands of popular hyaluronic acid fillers include:

  • Restylane, Restylane-L, Restylane Silk
  • Juvederm Ultra XC, Juvederm Ultra XC Plus
  • Voluma

The benefits of using this type of fillers include:

  • Control over lip volume
  • Less bruising
  • Any lumps or bumps can be dissolved
  • Unlikely to cause allergic reaction

Lip Collagen Injections

A natural protein called collagen is another dermal filler option and was once the most popular lip enhancement technique. Collagen treatments are used to touch-up lines and wrinkles around the forehead and mouth, as well as to help achieve fuller lips.

Collagen injections have become less popular over the last decade. Because hyaluronic acid fillers are much easier to use, with fewer associated risks, dissolvable if needed, last longer than collagen injections and are available in different forms, they have replaced collagen injections as the number one filler choice.

Platelet-rich Plasma

Another procedure used for lip enhancement is platelet-rich plasma — where blood is drawn from the patient, treated and then injected into the lips.

Risks connected with lip fillers

Wrinkle fillers are among the safest cosmetic procedures in use today. Although, the use of any dermal filler comes with risks just like any cosmetic procedure. One of the potential dangers is developing an allergic reaction, although this is rare. There is also the possibility of the formation of tiny bumps under the skin, which in some cases may become permanent.

Minimising the risks

Do some research and look for the best-qualified doctor. The last thing you want to do is put your health and looks in danger, just to save some money. By going with a lower cost ‘doctor’, you could very well be compromising on the experience and skill of the doctor or the quality of the filler product. To lower your risks from lip enhancement with dermal fillers or any cosmetic procedure, make sure you choose a board-certified cosmetic practitioner with an active and busy cosmetic practice such as Dr David Ballantyne.

To further minimise risk associated with lip enhancement do the following:

Only have your procedure done in a medical setting, with sterile instruments and brand-name, FDA approved products.

Use sunscreen to protect your newly enhanced features.

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