As part of our ongoing research into the latest news and information regarding cosmetic surgery and aesthetic enhancement, Team Costhetics stays in touch with a network of doctors to help us keep our finger on the pulse.
One subject they say is trending is questions, or rather confusion, about lip enhancement. Twenty-somethings, in particular, book appointments and then cancel, realising they don’t know the difference between surgical procedures and non-surgical treatments. Most critically, they don’t know what route to take to achieve their lip goals.
The following Mini Guide to Lip Enhancement is for them…for you…and for anyone who is still a ‘cherry’ when it comes to lip enhancement.
Why Lip Enhancement May be Right for You
The search for the perfect pout has been with us for decades. It was once primarily the cosmetic treatment of choice for older folks, whose lips had become deflated as they aged. Times have changed. Today, lip enhancement patients include younger people who:
- Have lips that are genetically thin
- Want to emulate lipalicious celebrities
- Want to have fuller lips for social media
There’s an interesting difference between older and younger patients. Younger patients tend to want more obvious volume (a la Kylie Jenner), while older people are likely to ask for a more natural enhancement.
You Can Plump It Up with Lip Fillers
Dermal filler injections are far and away the most popular choice for lip enhancement. The injections use a substance that occurs naturally in the body, a sugar derivative naturally found in your body that has the ability to hold up to 1,000 times its own weight in water. That makes it a perfect substance to:
- Augment volume
- Add lift
- Change the shape of the lip
- Moisturise lip skin
Dermal fillers made with this sugar derivative are not permanent. They dissolve over time and touch-ups are required every six to nine months. Prospective patients who are worried they may be unhappy with the results will be comforted to know lip augmentation with dermal fillers can be reversed. There is a substance that can be injected that will dissolve the filler, which is then absorbed by the body.
Do Lip Filler Injections Hurt?
Dermal filler injections are easily tolerated by most people. All sugar-derivative injectables are mixed with lidocaine (a numbing medication) during manufacture. In addition, your injector can numb the area around your lips using a dental nerve block. If you prefer, you can opt for a topical anaesthetic (numbing cream).
Once your lips are numb, you will feel a small prick and then some slight pressure as the filler is injected. Some patients experience a dull kind of throbbing. This discomfort passes quickly, making it an ideal lunchtime treatment.
Are Dermal Fillers for Lips Safe?
Yes! Side effects from dermal filler injections are generally mild and resolve quickly. This can include:
- Temporary bruising
- Swelling
- Redness at the injection site
In Australia, dermal fillers can be administered by qualified medical practitioners including registered nurses and doctors. Your best protection against complications is to ensure that your injector has the appropriate education, training, and experience to be a master of the craft of injecting.
Are Lip Fillers Expensive?
‘Expensive’ is a matter of opinion. In Australia, injectors charge “$600 for 1 millilitre of the product — a standard amount requested by patients” reports ABC.net. The total cost of lip augmentation using dermal fillers is difficult to predict because of factors such as:
- Injectors fee
- Amount of filler required to do the job
Are There Other Types of Injectable Lip Fillers?
Other injectable fillers include:
- Permanent lip fillers – Injected in a similar manner to other fillers, these injections offer benefits that can last up to ten years. Infection is a greater risk when performing lip augmentation with permanent filler, as is the risk of lumpiness.
- Autologous fat transfer – This is a two-part procedure. First fat is harvested from a part of the patient’s abdomen, hips, or thighs, using liposuction. The fat is then processed and readied for injection into the lips. Swelling from this treatment can be significant and may take up to a week to subside.
The Lip Flip – A Different Injection for Luscious Lips
The same wrinkle-relaxing injection that has been used to rejuvenate the face is now being used to make lips more beautiful. It’s injected into the orbicularis oris, a circular muscle that acts like a purse string on your lips. The quantities used are minimal to ensure the treatment is not overdone. No volume is added, but lips do look fuller…for about six weeks.
The idea behind the lip flip is to…”slightly soften some of the tensioned areas of the purse string, then you can cause a little bit of relaxation of the pink-white border of the lip so that vermilion border flips out a little bit and it gives you a very subtle improvement in upper lip show,” a cosmetic surgeon told Harper’s Bazaar for a 2019 article. It is not recommended for people who are looking for a dramatic change to their lip contours.
How Much Does a Lip Flip Cost?
The price for lip flips varies widely in Australia, from $400 on the low end to $1,200 on the high end. (At least your lips will be beautiful when you kiss your money good-bye)
Do you have more questions about getting your lips done? You should…and you should get your answers live and in-person from a specialist you can trust. That’s the Costhetics way.