Lip injection is basically a treatment that fills the lips with material (usually hyaluronic acid or fat) to increase the volume of the lips for aesthetic purposes. Other times it is used to correct uneven lips, smooth out wrinkles in the lips or lift the mouth corners.
Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance in the human body and it is perhaps the most common material used to plump the lips. It functions as a lubricating agent and cushion in joints, in the eyes, around the nerves, and within the skin. It volumizes tissue by attracting and naturally drawing in water, causing it to look plump. The goal of a lip filler is to either add fullness, add structure or balance the shape of the lips.
Lip Injection Benefits
Lip fillers have a number of other benefits aside from making your lips look voluptuous:
- Lip fillers even out asymmetrical shape of the lips
- Reduces the appearance of fine lines in the mouth area
- Offers instant albeit temporary results
- Boosts self confidence
Preparing for a Lip Injection
After your consultation wherein your doctor will discuss with you your goals, what to expect, and what happens during the actual treatment, the lips are cleansed and anesthetized.
Then filler is injected using a tiny needle into your lips, specifically in the area that needs volume. The material is then gently massaged so as to prevent lump formation.
Your doctor will inform you during your consultation that they can only inject one milliliter of a filler or less during a session.
The whole process will take about 30 minutes.
You might wonder if you’ll feel any pain during the procedure. The answer varies from person to person. Our lips are sensitive and if there’s no anesthetic, then the injection will feel like a sharp pinch.
If you’re concerned about the pain, your doctor can put a numbing cream on the lips or they may place ice on the target area in between injections.
After the treatment, lip ointment will be applied and you will be given home care instructions.
Possible Side Effects of Lip Fillers
Among the common side effects of a lip filler like Juvederm or Bellafill are bruising and swelling. These symptoms will go away in two days or so. Some may take a week or two.
However, if you experience significant pain this is not normal, and you should inform your doctor or the person who administered the treatment right away.
In my case, on the day of treatment I noticed minimal swelling. However, the next day, my lips were very swollen I thought about calling my doctor. But I eventually decided to give it another day and iced my lips throughout the day. Fortunately the swelling subsided the following day.
You should make a follow up 2-3 weeks after treatment so that your doctor can examine the lips and decide whether any adjustments or touch ups are needed.
Learn about Juvederm for lips here: