The demand for fuller lips is more popular than ever! Especially in Los Angeles, more women (and some men!) are seeking out non-surgical options for lip augmentation. Lip fillers are one of our hottest treatments and our clients have been thrilled with their results. If you’re thinking about lip enhancement with fillers, here are some things you should know before your injections.
Everyone’s Lips Are Different
Having realistic goals about what can and cannot be accomplished with your lip injections is crucial to your satisfaction with the procedure. Not everyone can have Kylie Jenner’s lips. But, you can definitely have the best version of your lips. Make sure you communicate your goals clearly with your injector. Experienced injectors will be able to work with the baseline structure of your lips to enhance them in a natural way.
There Are Different Fillers For Different Lips
There are various different fillers out on the market and each has their pros and cons. What may work well for you may not work for someone else, and vice versa. Hyaluronic Acid fillers give the best results for the lips. Our favorite lip fillers are Juvederm, Restylane Silk, and Belotero. Which filler is best for you will be determined during an in-person consultation and evaluation by Dr. Zadeh.
Duck Lips Can Be Avoided
By respecting the normal anatomy of the lips the dreaded “duck lips” appearance can be avoided. The lower lip should always be bigger than the top lip. More or less filler may need to be given to either the top or bottom lip to help balance the lips out. Don’t overdo it at the start. It’s always easier to add more filler if you want fuller lips or more pout.
You Will Have Swelling
The lips have a very rich blood supply, and the skin of the lips is much thinner compared to other areas of the face. So, you can expect to have some swelling and possibly bruising after your injections. The amount of swelling varies from person to person. It can take up to 2 weeks for everything to resolve and your lips to settle in.
How Long Will It Last?
Lip injections don’t last as long as fillers used in other parts of the face. That’s because we’re constantly using our lips to talk, eat, drink, etc. On average you can expect the results of your lip augmentation to last about 6 months. If you smoke then you can expect your results to last less. The key is to get touch up injections as soon as you notice your lips start to lose volume. That way your lips will stay full.
Experience Matters
More important than the type of filler used for your lip injections is the person performing them. Non-surgical lip enhancement requires a high degree of skill and knowledge of lip anatomy. In untrained hands, there is a high risk of complications and unwanted results. These injections should always be done by a surgeon and not someone who has taken a weekend YouTube course. Though hyaluronic acid fillers are reversible, others are not. You may end up spending more money trying to fix your filler complications than paying a little extra to have an experienced surgeon do it in the first place. Don’t be afraid to ask to see before and after pictures of actual patients from your potential injector. An experienced injector will have no problem showing you their before and after pics.
At the Z Center for Cosmetic Health, our owner and board certified surgeon Dr. Michael Zadeh performs all lip filler injections for our clients throughout the Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles and San Fernando Valley areas. Whether you’re looking for a major increase in volume or just a natural subtle change, Dr. Zadeh can help you get the lips you want. Feel free to schedule a consultation with Dr. Zadeh, by calling us at (818) 789-5500 or via email info@zcosmetichealth.com