While they’ve reached enormous fame for their prevalence in the beauty, fashion, and film industries, lip fillers have become a polarizing topic of discussion. Like other aesthetic procedures, lip fillers performed by an inexperienced or unqualified provider can yield results that appear “overdone” or unnatural. It’s important to understand that while these results happen, partnering with a board-certified specialist and educating yourself on the procedure gives you the best chance of achieving beautiful and natural-looking results.

Below, triple Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Ali Sajjadian answers some of the most common lip filler questions that he hears from patients at his practice.

What is Lip Filler?

Dermal fillers are gel substances injected under the skin to create a smoother, fuller appearance. Fillers, as a noninvasive procedure, allow patients to feel comfortable with their treatment in a completely customizable plan. The patient’s specific goals and desires can be achieved with the help of dermal fillers. One of the most popular requests for dermal fillers has been for the lip area. Fillers can help with lip contouring, balancing asymmetry, restoring volume, and smoothing out subtle cracks.

How Do Lip Fillers Work?

Dermal hyaluronic acid fillers that are injected into the lips draw water and add volume to that specific area. This gives the lips a fuller and plumper appearance. Hyaluronic acid will also stimulate the production of collagen to promote healthier skin and combat fine lines during the aging process. Dermal fillers in lips are entirely adjustable and specific to what the patient requests, whether that be a pillowy plumped-up pout or a subtle, done-undone style.

During the day of the treatment, a topical anesthetic is applied to your lips to numb your lips and reduce the amount of discomfort to ensure a painless experience. Benzocaine, lidocaine, and tetracaine are the most common ingredients in numbing lotions. After 30 minutes have passed, we inject lip filler into any of the sections of your lips, including the vermillion border, cupid’s bow, or your oral commissures. We will typically inject 1 milliliter of lip filler with only a slight pinching feeling. The duration of the procedure will only take 15 minutes.

What Can Lip Fillers Do?

Rejuvenate lost volume: As you age, your lips may thin out, and your philtrum (the junction between your top lip and septum) may elongate and flatten out. For many patients, restoring the youth of your lips will help turn back the clock. Only a small amount of filler is needed to help bring back the lost volume and blur the vertical lines surrounding the lip. Your lip borders and corners of your mouth will be reinforced delicately.

Adjusting the asymmetry of your lips: Lips come in many forms, shapes, and sizes. The beauty of dermal fillers is that they can fix any asymmetrical problem areas. Adding a small amount of volumizing filler will aid in achieving visual harmony and symmetry.

Smoothing wrinkles: As wrinkles form and your lips become drier, dermal fillers will smooth out any thin lines and moisturize the lips so that they appear healthier and younger.

What are the Advantages of Using Lip Fillers?

Having a noninvasive procedure like lip fillers allows you to increase and restore the volume of your lips in a very natural way. This treatment will not only help you achieve your desired look but will boost your self-esteem and make you feel better about your appearance or insecurities. Lip fillers will reverse the volume loss in your lips as a result of genetics, smoking, and sun exposure.

What is the Lip Filler Recovery Process?

Any soreness should subside within 12 to 24 hours, but it may take between 24 to 48 hours for the mils swelling to go down. Refrain from wiping your face or lips on the day of injection to ensure the filler does not move. Abstain from puckering or flexing your lips as it may cause the lip filler to become irritated. Avoid drinking alcohol within 24 hours of the procedure as it is a blood thinner and may increase bruising.

How Long Do Lip Fillers Last?

Lip fillers are not permanent or long-lasting. Depending on your metabolism, they will fade over time and may last between 6 and 12 months. Touch-up treatments on a regular basis are necessary to keep your desired volume.

What Kind of Fillers Do We Use?

Restylane®, Restylane® Lyft, Juvéderm®, Radiesse®, Belotero, Juvéderm® Voluma, and Sculptra® are a few of the fillers used, each chosen for their unique properties. During your initial consultation, we will carefully examine your lips and discuss your goals and expectations for the treatment. A customized treatment plan will be created to provide you with a natural but enhanced look.

Interested in learning more about lip fillers? Schedule your consultation with Dr. Ali Sajjadian in Newport Beach, CA today! Be sure to review Dr. Sajjadian’s lip fillers before and after photos to see some of the amazing results he’s provided for other patients.