Lip fillers remain one of the most popular treatments at White Orchid Spa, and there is no indication that’s going to change. Since Kylie Jenner’s plump pout started the trend in 2015, lips have been front and center for everyone from social media influencers to women noticing fine lines around their mouths. This trend has led to patients asking about the best lip filler for their goals.
Who Gets Lip Fillers?
Contrary to what some people think, there are reasons to get lip fillers other than to have the pillowy lips you see when scrolling through Instagram. When skillfully injected, lip fillers can address a wide range of aesthetic concerns. Some patients have naturally thin lips and want a subtle enhancement, while others want to smooth wrinkles or create symmetrical lips. Hyaluronic acid—the active ingredient in most lip fillers—can also help moisturize dry or chronically chapped lips.
Is One Lip Filler Better Than Others?
In a word, no. There is no one-size-fits-all filler that is the best option for everyone. As lip augmentation has gained popularity, the world of lip fillers has expanded significantly. Ten years ago, JUVÉDERM® and Restylane® produced workhorse fillers that were used in multiple areas of the face, including the lips. The dermal filler landscape has evolved since then.
Now, some fillers are formulated specifically for lip enhancement, although the less specialized fillers remain a viable option in many cases.
What Are the Lip Filler Options?
The most popular lip fillers are made with hyaluronic acid, including JUVÉDERM and Restylane products. The synthetic form of hyaluronic acid (HA) used in fillers mimics the natural complex sugar found throughout the body, including the skin, cartilage, and bodily fluids. Because it is naturally present in the body, there is minimal risk of allergic reactions. Another benefit of HA fillers, compared to biostimulator fillers such as RADIESSE® and Sculptra® Aesthetic, is that they can be reversed if you aren’t happy with the results.
JUVÉDERM Lip Fillers
Several of the fillers made by JUVÉDERM can be used for lip enhancement. VOLBELLA is formulated specifically for minimizing fine lines, especially at the corners of the lips. It’s also effective for creating more definition and volume and enhancing the vermilion border. The vermilion border is the edge of the lips that connects the lip tissue to the rest of your face. VOLBELLA also improves the appearance of the cupid’s bow.
VOLBELLA is hardly the only JUVÉDERM option for lip enhancement. JUVÉDERM VOLLURE® is a thicker gel than VOLBELLA and is often the choice for patients who want their lips to appear fuller. It typically lasts longer than VOLBELLA, with results lasting up to 18 months. JUVÉDERM Ultra Plus XC is another option for plumping, contouring, and reshaping the lips.
Restylane Lip Fillers
Restylane produces a pair of fillers formulated for lip enhancement. The fillers, Kysse and Silk, are similar but have a few key differences. Restylane Kysse enables the lips to move more naturally than most other fillers while also enhancing the lips’ texture and color. Restylane Silk, like the other fillers mentioned in this post, is approved by the FDA and is ideal for creating softer lips and smoothing wrinkles around the mouth.
How Long Does JUVÉDERM® Last in Lips?
JUVÉDERM Ultra XC and VOLBELLA are both approved by the FDA for lip augmentation. Other JUVÉDERM fillers, including Ultra Plus and VOLLURE, are also sometimes used to enhance the volume and shape of the lips. How long they last varies, depending on how fast your body metabolizes the filler. The longevity of your filler also depends on your lifestyle habits such as how much time you spend in the sun and if you smoke or vape.
VOLLURE can last up to 18 months while the other fillers typically last about 12 months. Because fillers metabolize gradually, you can maintain your lips’ appearance by scheduling touch-up appointments every 6 to 8 months.
What Is a ‘Lip Flip’?
A lip flip, a lip enhancement treatment that’s generated a lot of attention lately, is not performed with fillers. Instead, BOTOX® is injected into precise points above the upper lip into the muscle that controls lip movement. BOTOX injections relax the muscle, causing the upper lip to roll upward. This exposes more of the reddish portion of the lip called the vermillion, creating the appearance of fuller lips. Unlike filler injections that produce almost immediate results, results after the BOTOX injections take about 7 to 14 days to appear. Additionally, BOTOX typically lasts between 2 and 5 months, while lip fillers can last anywhere from 6 to 18 months.
Preparing for Lip Filler Injections
Getting the best possible results from lip fillers involves following some pre-appointment instructions. In the week before your injections, you should stop smoking, drinking alcohol, taking blood-thinning NSAIDs (if approved by your physician), and using dietary supplements. These may include vitamin E, fish oil, and St. John’s Wort, which can increase the chances of bruising and swelling.
Selecting an Injector
Even though people often see cosmetic injections of fillers or BOTOX as rather simple procedures, the skill and technique of the injector are critical for getting excellent results and minimizing the risk of complications. Disappointing results with lip fillers can be reversed with hyaluronidase, but your safety is also a concern when choosing an injector.
Our injectors at White Orchid Spa are highly trained and experienced advanced registered nurse practitioners with extensive knowledge of facial anatomy and the importance of precise injections. If you’re considering lip fillers and looking for injectors with expertise, request a consultation at our Vero Beach, FL, med spa or call us at (772) 231-1133 to schedule an appointment.
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