Plump and luscious lips are considered a sign of beauty. Hydrated lips are healthy lips and dry lips or low lip volume give an impression of sub-optimal health. Lip enhancement is a cosmetic procedure that can be performed in the doctor’s office in a short time which can give you instantaneous results.
The most common way to have a ‘lip job’ or lip enhancement or to attain fuller lips is the method of hyaluronic acid gel injections.
Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance found in the body and some people naturally have a lesser percentage of it or the volume decreases as we age.
There are other methods also to get fuller lips like fat grafting or lip implants but none is as popular as lip filler injections by hyaluronic acid. Collagen which was used earlier has fallen into dis-favor because of multiple limitations and side-effects. The most predictable way of doing it is getting a lip filler with HA gel.
What to expect?
- Volume
- Structure
- A good cupid bow
- A better-shaped lip
Hyaluronic acid fillers can help one achieve all this and maintains the lip shape and structure and supports the tissues of the lip. It also helps in giving the face a brighter and happier appearance. Because it can up-turn the angle of the mouth which becomes droopy with age.
What brand is used?
There are several reputed and tried and tested brands of lip fillers in the market. These are medically well-researched products which have been tested safe by a large group of medical practitioners and have predictable results. Some of these fall into the premium fillers category and come at a slightly higher price because of being more dependable and well researched. Typically these may last between 8 months to well over a year.
All of these products are injected the same way and give you similar results. And some contain lidocaine, a local anesthetic.
What advantage does lip filler with hyaluronic acid have over other methods?
*HA is predictable
The amount of filler injected can be quantified and controlled. In the hands of an experienced injector, the lip fillers give a pleasing result. The lip volume and shape preference vary with different individuals, the Lip filler can be quantified and tailored according to individual preferences.
*Staged treatment
Many a time for first-timers they want it to be a gradual process so this can be done into two parts where one can utilize the same syringe for two injections after a couple of weeks when the initial injection settles down. However, it is not recommended to store the same syringe for longer than 2-3 weeks.
*Imperfections corrected
In case of small bumps and lumps they usually easily settle down but if they persist they can be dissolved very easily.
*Less bruises
Lip fillers by HA gel injections will cause the least amount of bruising compared to other methods.
*Lasts long
The lip fillers last for a reasonable time but this is not permanent.
*Reactions are less likely
An allergic reaction is extremely uncommon. However, if one is allergic to lidocaine they must bring this to the notice of the doctor.
During the procedure
Lip injectables or dermal fillers can be performed in a short procedure in the doctor’s OPD. This is likely to have very little or no downtime.
Before the injection, a numbing cream is usually applied to make the injections less painful. The lip injections are done by a very fine-tipped needle. Small amounts of fillers are deposited at multiple places.
Aftercare
*Ice may be applied to the injected area to ease the discomfort.
*Lip make-up is to be avoided on the day of the injections and the doctor may prescribe soothing gels if one is concerned about downtime.
*Oral medications are usually not necessary.
How long will it take to see the result?
Results from lip fillers are usually seen immediately after the procedure but one begins to feel natural in a few days.
Side Effects and Risks
The side-effects or risks involving HA fillers are usually not severe and short-lasting. One may experience:
*Slight swelling
*Bruising
*Bleeding from injection sites
*Re-activation of cold sores
*Pain and tenderness in the injected area.
Serious rare side effects
*Prolonged swelling and bruising lasting more than ten days
*Injection into a blood vessel
*Lip asymmetry
*Ulceration of break in the lips.
*Allergic reactions.
One should keep in touch with the doctor’s office for any concerns related to the procedure.
Cost of lip fillers in India
The cost of lip fillers is varied depending on a variety of factors:
*Injecting doctor’s experience
*The area where one lives (The prices in India are much less for the same product, and the same or sometimes better-experienced doctors)
*Fillers are priced based on per syringe. A standard place of practice will never charge for a half syringe. It also ensures that you get a sterile product which is safe to use.
*Most people need one syringe, sometimes one may need 2ml, very rarely more.
*Most people don’t need more than one to two syringes. Total costs range between $350 to $500 or INR 25000-35000 for 1ml of filler.
*These are not covered under insurance. One could, however, ask for a payment plan if the doctor’s office has any.
Health conditions that make one an unsuitable candidate
*Any active infection around the mouth.
*Uncontrolled Diabetes
*Lupus
*Blood-clotting problems
Finding the right expert for lip filler
Several specialists practice or offer lip fillers;
*Plastic surgeons
*Dermatologists
*General practitioners with no formal recognized training in injectables.
A consultation with a specialist before booking lip fillers treatment is important. One should be able to trust the doctor’s sense of safety and aesthetics and the experience with lip filler procedures.
One should research well before committing to this procedure with someone.
Don’t just go to anyone. Although it is just an injection, it has real risks and the doctor should be able to handle situations that may arise out of it. Plastic Surgeons are for these reasons considered the most preferred people to go to because they are thorough with anatomical and procedural knowledge and will usually recognize a complication earlier than any other practitioner.
One could also check a few before after pictures by the practitioner during the consultation.
Dr. Shilpi Bhadani is an expert injector and trainer for fillers of the lips. She regularly trains and conducts workshops to teach other doctors about the safe use of fillers. One can get in touch with us by filling the form below.
Good luck with lip filler experience. Luscious lips are just one syringe away!!
