Things you should know before you have lip fillers.
1. Fillers are temporary
Lip fillers are not permanent and you can expect the results to last for 6 – 12 months. This is down to lip fillers including hyaluronic acid. This is a substance that is gradually broken down by an enzyme called hyaluronidase, which is found naturally in the human body.
Once the effect of the fillers wear off, your lips will return to how they looked before having the procedure, the original shape and size of your lips won’t be permanently affected by using fillers.
It’s important to note that the lips can swell and bruise after having the treatment, the extent of which will vary from person to person, so it’s not possible to predict how long it will take for the lips to settle after having the treatment.
If you’re planning to have the procedure done for a specific event, it’s best to book in for the treatment 1-2 weeks before this event.
2. Lip fillers should only be given by a qualified, experienced professional
Unlike Botox, dermal fillers can be administered without a prescription, which means anyone can perform the procedure without needing to hold a qualification. This means that you should be extra vigilant when choosing a practitioner to perform the procedure, as anyone ranging from dermatologists and beauticians to hairdressers can legally administer fillers.
Choose a practitioner who specialises in performing facial cosmetic treatments such as a Cosmetic Doctor. Find out how much experience they have and ensure they have suitable knowledge and have achieved satisfactory results in the past, before you agree to have the treatment done with them.
3. The results should look natural
Gone are the days of the obvious ‘trout pout’ - now it’s much more common for patients to choose a very natural finish when having fillers. The key aim when administering lip fillers is to create a natural look, not a dramatic change in appearance. I always use a soft hyaluronic acid filler (such as Juvederm / Emervel), which results in lips that look very natural and are soft to the touch.
How your lips feel should be natural too and the sensation in your lips should feel no different from before you had the treatment.
4. Slight bruising and swelling is normal
You can expect to experience mild bruising for a couple of days after having the procedure, but this isn’t the case for everyone and you may not notice any bruising at all. I advise patients to allow 1-2 weeks for their lips to settle down after having treatment. If you do have any bruising, it should be easy to cover this with makeup the day after treatment.
Some swelling is common just after the procedure and this can last for a couple of days. You can manage any swelling by applying ice packs to the area. You can help minimise any unwanted swelling and bruising by not drinking alcohol or exercising on the day you have the treatment.
Once the injections are done, your practitioner will then massage your lips to help the fillers disperse through the lips so they are even and there are no visible lumps or bumps.
5. There’s no ‘one size fits all’ approach to lip fillers
There is not a set approach to administering fillers or a set amount of filler that has to be used. During a consultation we will discuss which areas of your lips you would like to focus on and I will also give you suggestions for how to enhance the area naturally. I will advise you on what size and shape lips will look best for your face, keeping within natural proportions.
The ideal ratio for lips is 1:1.6, which means the lower lip should be 1.6 times fuller than the upper lip. Ensuring the size of the lips is within these proportions will help create beautiful and natural-looking results.
As with all good cosmetic procedures, the aim of the treatment is to ensure the end results look as natural as possible. In addition, it should suit your face perfectly, and bigger doesn’t necessarily mean better.
If you want to find out more about the treatment process, please watch the video below.
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