Lip Fillers: Our 15 Fact Cheat Sheet

Aesthetic surgery and other cosmetic procedures are not everyone’s cup of tea. There are those who are in favour of it and are not averse to finding ways to enhance their features, while others tend to give it a wide berth. Last year, however, saw lip fillers claim the title of one of the most searched beauty terms on Google – so regardless of whether you’re in the ‘for’ or ‘against’ camp, curiosity about the topic is undeniably on the rise.

This may be due to the fact that no surgery is required with dermal fillers, or perhaps the fact that they give positive results for those who want them, and have improved in terms of safety and effectiveness (the exaggerated pillow lips we used to see on celebrities are a rarity these days). So if your liner just isn’t cutting it anymore, and you’ve got a few questions on lip fillers that need to be answered, read our 15 fact cheat-sheet below… I mean, curiosity never killed anyone, right?

1. Lip fillers, in medical terms, are considered a ‘non-surgical’ procedure – so you can get the lips you’ve always wanted without technically ever going under the knife.

2. Just as every artist has a favourite medium, each aesthetic surgery practitioner will have his/her preferred filler. Typically, for lips though, hyaluronic acid filler will have the most credible effect.

3. Hyaluronic acid is a substance naturally-produced in our bodies – albeit in lesser quantities as we age – and is injected to improve the appearance of the lips by adding volume beneath the surface and to the lip-line to enhance shape and structure.

4. Hyaluronic acid (HA) can also be found as a listed ingredient in the majority of plumping skincare products – It can hold up to 1,000 times its own weight in water, hence its popularity in the beauty-realm.

5. You don’t have to go OTT! – With HA fillers, it’s super-easy to control the resulting outcome of the procedure. Needs/wants vary from patient to patient, but generally speaking, one syringe of filler is adequate to keep things looking natural, but still noticeably fuller.

6. HA lip fillers are entirely reversible – if you don’t like what you see post-treatment, don’t panic. Your practitioner can just inject an antidotal enzyme, called hyaluronidase, to dissolve the filler.

7. How long the fillers last depends on the metabolism of each patient and the speed at which your own body breaks down the HA – Thinner patients are said to have faster metabolisms and so, should expect to see the results waning after 3-4 months.

8. Set realistic goals – If your lips are on the smaller side pre-treatment, don’t expect to get lips to rival Angelina in one visit. As part of your pre-filler preparation, discuss what is achievable and ultimately, what will look best for your face with your practitioner. Remember, slow and steady always wins the race.

9. If administered correctly, injected lips shouldn’t feel much different to your natural lips – Even when kissing… phew!

10. You will see results pretty much instantly! – There will be some initial swelling, but by the next day, any negative side effects should fade to reveal fuller, plumper lips.

11. Prep is key! – In the lead up to your procedure, avoid alcohol, painkillers, Vitamin E and Omega Fish Oils as they are known to thin the blood and increase the risk of bleeding.

12. On the scale of pain we ladies inflict on ourselves in the constant quest for beauty, getting lip fillers shouldn’t be any less bearable than pinching your eyelid with a lash curler or getting your eyebrows threaded – A numbing cream can be applied topically too, to minimise any potential discomfort.

13. Minor swelling and redness is to be expected for most, after receiving the injections – But some patients will be more prone to bleeding and bruising than others.

14. Avoid any high-intensity workouts or yoga inversions in the 24 hours after your treatment – just to allow gravity work its full magic and your fillers to settle.

15. Contrary to what the horror stories might lead you to believe, should you elect to stop getting fillers, your lips will not turn into saggy skin bags. Instead, in some case, fillers have been proven to increase bodily HA production at the site of injection, so your lips could naturally remain a little larger than they were pre-fillers.

If you’re still curious about lip fillers, or other non-surgical options available to you, contact Thérapie Clinic by calling 1890 650 750 or book your free consultation by clicking below.