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What are lip fillers?
FDA-approved lip fillers are all made of hyaluronic acid (HA), a natural sugar substance present in your body, especially in your skin. Lip fillers are soft, natural, reversible gels that can restore volume to your lips. They can enhance or plump the lips in a way that looks natural, balanced and proportional to your face
There are currently 4 FDA-approved lip fillers: Restylane, Restylane Silk, Juvederm Ultra and Juvederm Volbella. All of these hyaluronic acid fillers come with a small amount of lidocaine (0.3%) to provide you more comfort. These fillers are among more than 12 different types of hyaluronic acid fillers approved in the United States for aesthetic use. Lip fillers include:
- Restylane-L – This was the first HA filler approved in the United States in 2003 for use in the nasolabial folds (laugh lines). It is now approved for lip injections. Restylane uses what is known as NASHA™ technology, a proprietary manufacturing process. It has uniform HA particles that are medium-sized. Although soft, malleable and volumizing, it tends to be stiffer than the other FDA-approved lip fillers.
- Restylane Silk – This HA filler also uses NASHA™ technology, but uses smaller uniform-sized particles. In the lips, it is less volumizing than Restylane-L, but better for subtle enhancement or for treating fine lines. It may cause more temporary lip swelling than the other lip fillers.
- Juvederm Ultra XC – this HA filler is a smooth consistency gel that uses Hylacross™ technology. It is approved to last up to one year in the lips while providing natural-looking results.
- Juvederm Volbella XC – An HA filler that uses Vycross ™ technology. It is formulated for the delicate skin covering the lips. It can smooth fine lines around the mouth as well.
Will I end up looking like a duck?
Dr. Michael Lum is a conservative injector and prefers not to give patients duck, fish or monkey lips. Remember, these HA lip fillers are easily reversible should you wish to reduce lip enhancement. There often may be some lip swelling after the procedure, and it's best to wait for this to subside, before deciding on whether you like your lips or not.
What should I expect, and does it hurt?
Dr. Lum values your aesthetic goals and will talk to you in depth about expectations and your treatment options. He takes confidential standardized photos at different angles using a FotoFinder System so that you can see how your before and after appearances will compare.
Lip fillers already come with lidocaine built into the gel. Dr. Lum may apply numbing cream to your lips or in some cases perform a dental nerve block for your comfort. The lips have a very rich blood supply. Dr. Lum uses slow, gentle injections to reduce discomfort, swelling, and bruising.
After your treatment, the most common side effects may include:
- Swelling and redness
- Bruising
- Asymmetry – sometimes one side heals slower than the other
- Mild discomfort
- Lumpiness – the filler is 100% biodegradable. It will disappear without a trace
Dr. Lum will thoroughly review all you should know about the procedure, precautions and side effects before your treatment. You are discouraged from massaging the lips for at least 6 hours after the procedure, but you may apply ice or cool compresses.
Although many patients say they have never bruised with Dr. Lum and are fine to return to work immediately, we always recommend that you plan two weeks ahead of any special event for any injectable procedure.
When you’re ready to add fullness to your lips or treat lines around your mouth, call Lumier Medical today or schedule an appointment online.
