What You Need to Know About Lip Fillers and How to Achieve the Perfect Pout

Are you struggling with thin lips or lip asymmetry and want that perfect pout? For many of us, thin lips constitute a significant insecurity that only seems to intensify with age due to the natural deflation that occurs over time. Lip injections offer a simple solution to help you achieve a natural, fuller and pouty appearance; they are becoming increasingly popular with a safe and subtle way to add volume to your lips. At MD Skin Lab, we offer dermal fillers to give our patients the lip shape and size they desire while ensuring a natural look. Now, let's get into the specifics of lip fillers and start with the basics!

What are lip fillers?

Lip fillers are a prominent cosmetic procedure used to enhance the appearance of the lips by adding volume, definition, and structure. The name hints at what the procedure offers; however, many need to know what type of substance is injected into their lips to achieve that desired pout. This procedure involves injecting dermal fillers. Dermal fillers are a substance injected into the lips or skin to help restore its volume and reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Temporary fillers such as Restylane®, Teosyal®, Stylage®, and Prollenium® are produced with hyaluronic acid, which gives the skin and the lips plumpness, smoothness, and youthfulness. Let’s take a more in-depth look at hyaluronic acid fillers.

What are the benefits of hyaluronic acid?

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring sugar molecule in the body that gives skin and lips plumpness, smoothness, and youthfulness. Hyaluronic acid molecules can attract and retain 1000 times their weight in water, so when injected under the skin, the dermal filler will smooth lines and wrinkles, fill in hollow areas, lift sagging skin and, of course, plump the lips! As people age, they experience a decline of natural hyaluronic acid, so dermal fillers can help them create more definition in facial structures, such as the lips. Additionally, dermal fillers boost hydration, stimulate collagen production, and improve the look of the skin. With an experienced physician injector, you can achieve your preferred results.

Am I a good candidate for lip fillers?

We often get patients asking us if they are good candidates for lip fillers; there are many different scenarios we look out for. Let's get into them. Firstly, let's start with thin lips; if you have naturally thin lips, dermal fillers are an excellent way to plump them up and get the perfect pout. Next, when you are aging and experiencing a decline of natural hyaluronic acid, lip fillers will boost hydration, stimulate collagen production, and improve the look of the skin. Another perfect candidate for lip injections is someone who has asymmetrical lips. Using an experienced physician injector that knows their craft can help you achieve symmetry and your desired lip shape. Therefore, it's crucial to use the correct physician injector.

When getting my lip fillers, can I get any lip shape I want?

When considering lip fillers, it is essential to remember that the best and most natural-looking result will come from simply enhancing your existing features and proportions. Trying to change the shape of your lips ultimately can have an overly heavy and unnatural look. At MD Skin Lab, we strive to create a tailored treatment plan that considers your facial anatomy and individual features to give you the most harmonious and pleasing outcome.

What can I expect during the treatment?

The procedure of lip fillers starts with a topical numbing cream applied to the lips, followed by a physician injector using a small needle to inject the filler into various parts of the lips, usually lasting between 10 to 20 minutes. A question we often receive is – do lip fillers hurt? Some may experience minor discomfort or even watery eyes during the injection process.

To avoid discomfort, we at MD Skin Lab use topical numbing cream, a vibration tool and fillers with lidocaine mixed in them to minimize pain. Additionally, there is the potential for swelling, pain and bruising afterwards. Every patient is unique, and pain tolerance varies from person to person.

 

What is recovery for lip fillers like?

The treatment process is fast and easy, with some downtime required afterwards. However, after the procedure, your lips may experience discomfort, redness, swelling and/or itchiness at the injection site. You should avoid applying pressure to your lips for a few days after the treatment and temporarily limit makeup and lipstick around the area until any swelling from the injections has gone down.

Swelling is most significant in the first three to five days but can last up to two weeks, depending on the individual. We recommend minimizing swelling by using ice and arnica post-treatment. However, recovery varies from person to person and, of course, depends on how much filler you get during the procedure.

Can I eat or drink after my lip injections?

After getting the treatment, we recommend waiting until the numbing has worn off before engaging in any activities that may disturb the filler, such as puckering your lips and drinking from a straw. It is also best to avoid smoking or consuming alcohol for 24 hours post-treatment, as this can cause blood thinning and more visible bruising around the delicate lip area.

Are lip fillers permanent?

Lip fillers can give you a fuller, poutier look for a certain amount of time. The length of time a particular filler will last depends on the type used, how much is injected, and an individual's metabolism. Typically, the results last between six to nine or more months; however, the length of your filler's duration varies from person to person. It is important to remember that when it comes to lip fillers, less is more – injecting too much too quickly can give an unnatural look and potentially shorten the longevity of the results. This is where a good, experienced physician injector comes into play. They will help you get your desired looks while ensuring you are the right candidate for the procedure.

Can my physician injector make my lip fillers look natural?

An experienced physician injector can certainly produce natural-looking results. To get your desired results, we recommend using an experienced physician injector with detailed knowledge of anatomy paired with advanced lip filler techniques.

Please use an experienced injector!

It's essential to seek out an experienced and qualified physician injector when considering lip filler injections, as improper administration can lead to unpleasant results! These may include asymmetrical and/or swollen lips, or "duck lips," as we've all seen on social media, due to over-filling or, in some cases, long-term damage like vascular occlusion caused by a blockage of a vital artery. Although these effects are generally temporary, only an experienced practitioner can recognize potential red flags and respond appropriately. Discussing your goals with the physician injector before your treatment should be used to set realistic expectations for the procedure and adequately assess desired volume and shape for the best natural-looking results.

We at MD Skin Lab are a Toronto-based cosmetic clinic owned and operated by physicians. Our non-surgical and minimally invasive procedures, including lip fillers, are delivered by a team of aesthetic physicians focused on our patient's comfort, health and safety. It is our utmost priority to offer a unique treatment approach to each individual, depending on their goals, while maintaining facial balance and proportion. We strive for natural and beautiful results.

Let’s achieve perfect pout together! Book your dermal fillers appointment at our Toronto-based cosmetic clinic today.