Lip Fillers | The Natural Approach
Lip fillers are the new trend and have grown quite popular at Polished MedSpa. Lip fillers are one of my favorite treatments to perform on patients. I love being able to give someone the lips they had “when they were 20” or help to accentuate the already gorgeous lips they have using Juvederm and Restylane products. Performing lip filler injections isn’t something that providers learn overnight, it definitely takes time and plenty of experience. I have been lucky enough to learn the famous Julie Horne lip filler techniques and they have taken my injections to a whole new level!
Nurse Practitioner Lauren Hebert wants you to know the following prior to your lip filler injections:
1. Research Your Practitioner
Be sure that your practitioner is experienced and understands the anatomy of the lips. Don’t just go to any practitioner because they are “cheap” or offering Groupon rates. Remember this is your face! I definitely think it’s important to have a relationship with the provider who is injecting you. Your provider should understand the “look” you are going for, whether that is natural, subtle, or over the top! A good injector will be able to ensure your smile is balanced, your lips are symmetric, and your look is authentic. I know it’s very tempting to go for that Groupon deal, but you really want to make sure your provider knows what they are doing first and foremost!
2. How Much Filler Do You Really Need?
If you are making a filler appointment, you have probably already thought long and hard about how much filler you want, or the “look” you’re going for. Bring in pictures of lip sizes you like or refer to photos on the providers’ social media pages. For example: are you looking for your top lip to be even with your bottom lip? Do you want your bottom lip larger you’re your top? Are you simply looking to correct asymmetry? The type of lip you are looking for will dictate the type of product I will choose for you. JUVÉDERM® and Restylane® are both hyaluronic products that both give different looks to the lip. The product and the techniques I use will alter the type of lip you are looking to achieve. However, it is important to understand that it is not possible for filler to change your lip anatomy. God gave you what he gave you! But we can certainly take what natural structure you have been given, enhance it, and make it more defined and volumized. When this concept is understood, the outcome is a beautiful, natural lip, proportionate to your facial structure.
3. You can reverse fillers
Hyaluronic acid fillers (such as JUVÉDERM® and Restylane®) are the most common lip fillers. They can be dissolved with hyaluronidase, an enzyme that speeds up the degradation of hyaluronic acid, quickly and safely, if you are unhappy with the results. I have never dissolved my own filler work, just others. If the appropriate time is taken with patients and everyone has a clear understanding of the results, there will be no reason to ever have to dissolve your own work. I always recommend that patients TAKE IT SLOW with their fillers. It so much easier to add filler then to have to take it all out and start over. That’s the beauty with fillers, results are instant and it is very easy to gauge where more product is needed, or will be needed, to achieve the look you are going for.
4. Before Your Filler Appointment
About a week before your appointment, you shouldn’t take any aspirin, anti-inflammatories (like Ibuprofen or Aleve), fish oil, or Vitamin E. Each of these vitamins or medications will thin your blood and can cause bruising. I also suggest taking Arnica (over the counter) tablets. This homeopathic herb helps reduce bruising, pre and post-appointment. Arnica gel is also used during the appointment to help smooth out the filler once its placed.
5. What To Expect During & After Your Lip Filler Appointment?
The appointment takes about an hour or an hour and twenty minutes. The majority of that time is used to get to know the patient (and their lips) and figure out exactly what they are looking to achieve. While injecting, you’ll see the results right away. I always like to include my patients in on the injecting process. While the results are immediate, there will be some swelling (and maybe brusing). The swelling should subside within three days, I recommend using ice on and off for 24 hours after the injections. Even though the swelling and bruising will subside within a week, I always recommend a full 2 weeks before adding any more filler.
For a full list of commonly asked questions, you can click here.
Getting dermal filllers (especially to your lips) should be fun! I promise that I can make this an enjoyable experience for you and your (new) lips. I am happy to answer any further questions or you can setup an appointment for a FREE consultation. I look forward to meeting you and your lips soon!
XO, Lauren