In the past, lip fillers were for those with a dramatic loss of volume in their lips. Nowadays, an increasing amount of people are seeking this treatment to augment the appearance of their lips – especially celebrities who fans picture with plump and luscious lips.

There is often a lot of confusion surrounding this treatment, which stems from misinformation in the press. People often think that fillers are just for increasing lip volume and plumping the lips. This perception is not accurate because fillers can  augment any part of the lips, including:

• The Cupid’s Bow (the center)
• The Vertical Lip Dimension (the lip line)
• The Lip Contour
• Smoothing and softening of the top or bottom lip border
• Smoothing and softening of the corners

Lip fillers can also reduce any excess tissue in this area, such as the labiodental fold. The labiodental fold is where the chin meets the lower lip and often appears as a ‘double chin. You can treat it with fillers by sculpting this area to thin out any excess tissue.

Do and don’ts before lip fillers.

There are a few things you should avoid before your lip filler treatment. These include:

• Strenuous activities or exercise for at least 12 hours before the procedure  ·Hot food, drinks, and smoking 12 hours before ·Alcohol and aspirin (anything that thins the blood) 24 hours before

Make sure you thoroughly clean and scrub your lips before the procedure to remove any bacteria or dead skin. You should also avoid picking at your lip area as this can lead to increased bruising and prolonging the time it takes for any swelling around the lips to subside. It is best if you keep your skin hydrated by using a good-quality moisturizer on your lips.

There are some injectable fillers that you cannot have in the lip area just before a lip filler treatment. These include:

• Bovine collagen
• Human collagen

It is not advisable to use some of the joint fillers in the lips. These include:

• Polyalkylimide (Aquamid)
• Polymethylmethacrylate (Artecoll)

Your dermatologist or facial plastic surgeon will discuss with you their recommendations for which best lip filler to use. The advice is based on your skin type and desired outcome in the lip area.

Every filler has a different recovery time ranging from 1 day to several months, depending on the type of filler used and your circumstance. This difference will be discussed in more detail with your practitioner before any treatment.

Some fillers are absorbed by the body more quickly than others, and therefore the risks of having a bad outcome or asymmetry are increased. In some cases, practitioners will wait 3-4 weeks before assessing any change in volume with subsequent appointments to ensure you have not had a negative outcome from your lip filler.

Conclusion

In summary, there is a wide range of lip fillers available for both men and women, which can help make a long-lasting difference in your appearance. As with any cosmetic treatment, seeking professional advice from someone experienced in this area is crucial.