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How Long Do Lip Fillers Last?

by | Sep 15, 2020 | Injectables

Many people are opting for non-surgical cosmetic procedures these days, including treatments such as dermal fillers. These types of fillers work to shape or enhance the features of the face. Lip fillers are popular here at Cosmetic Injectables Center, but we have many patients wondering how long lip fillers last. Keep reading to find out the answer to this question and much more.

What Are Lip Fillers?

Lip fillers are a type of dermal filler. The purposes of these types of fillers are to provide volume and shape to the lips. The filler that is used will determine the results. There are three main categories of dermal fillers approved by the FDA that we use at Cosmetic Injectables Center.

Hyaluronic Acid (HA)

This type of dermal filler comes in different consistencies. Some, such as Restylane Silk, are very thin while others, such as Juvéderm Voluma, are thicker. Usually, the best fillers for lips fall into the thin to medium thickness category since results should be soft.

Hyaluronic Acid can improve the appearance of the lips by adding shape, structure, or volume. It is a natural substance that is found in the body and is one of the safest forms of lip fillers.

Hyaluronic acid is the most common type of lip filler. They’re instantly reversible and are a safer approach to help you get the results you want.

Calcium Hydroxylapatite

This is a thicker dermal filler that helps to stimulate the body’s collagen production as it delivers instant results. It is not instantly reversible like the HA dermal fillers are. Radiesse is the FDA approved Calcium hydroxyapatite in the USA. Due to its firm and cohesive consistency, it is not a good option for lip injection as it has a higher incidence of nodules near circular muscles.

Poly-L-lactic Acid

This is a dermal filler that helps to stimulate collagen production. Results appear over time, usually around six weeks, and are not instantly reversible. We don’t use dermal fillers such as Sculptra on the lips since it can lead to nodule formation near-circular muscles.

What Do Lip Fillers Do?

Our goal at Cosmetic Injectables Center is to help you get the lip look you’re after whether you like a more natural looking proportion, or one that’s more exotic. Some lips look more proportional with a 1/3 upper lip to 2/3 lower lip ration, while other ethnicities may look more natural with a 1:1 ratio.

In younger patients, the lip border is still often well defined, so we avoid injecting that, along with the philtrum column, to avoid a protruded “duck” look. But for older patients, the definition of the lips and the “white roll” around them becomes less defined, so we enhance these areas with lip filler to produce a natural, younger-looking lip.

Of course, these are just our general rules of thumb. We modify each patient care plan based on the individual’s lip firmness, shape, and desired results. Our master injector nurses can make individualized recommendations based on the results you desire.

You may be worried about enhancing the lips with filler simply because there are so many unnatural-looking results everywhere you look. We understand and want our patients to have fuller, natural-looking lips.

Remember, it takes a keen eye and experience to understand the right type of lip filler needed, how much to use, and to place it correctly in each individual. We strive to deliver that keen eye and attention to detail, so you’re happy with your results.

How Do Lip Fillers Work?

The dermal fillers we use to enhance the lips help to revitalize and hydrate the area, not simply bulk them up to create volume. Hyaluronic acid is unique in that it can hold up to one thousand times its weight in water. That makes it an excellent hydrator. The fact that it is also a substance naturally created by your body means that your body accepts it and, ultimately, absorbs it over time.

How Long Do Lip Fillers Last?

How long lip fillers last depends on what type of dermal filler is used for the lips. Thinner products, such as Restylane-L, last anywhere from six to nine months. Thicker fillers, such as Juvederm Ultra that will last about 6-9 months, Juvederm Ultra Plus that lasts 9-12 months, and Restylane Kyss that lasts over 12 months. The differences in their longevity is due to the amount and type of cross linking technologies. On average, lip fillers last anywhere from 3 to 12 months, but the amount of filler, your age, metabolism, exercise level, stress, exposure to heat, diet, hormone levels, and many other factors can influence their exact longevity.

It’s important to remember that the results you achieve with lip fillers are only temporary. How long the fillers last depend on how quickly your body can break down the filler, which depends on your metabolism when combined with the properties of the filler used. Your lips gradually shift back to normal. Unless you’ve stretched the skin far more than its elasticity level (your injector can determine this during your evaluation), they will not look deflated or saggy after the filler has been completely broken down, so no worries there!

Can Lip Fillers Be Dissolved?

If you have hyaluronic lip fillers done and decide that you no longer want it, then that’s OK – it’s reversible. You do not have to wait for them to dissolve on their own if you decide it’s not right for you. A simple enzyme injection can dissolve the fillers to help you reclaim your natural lips.

However, it’s important to note that you shouldn’t make any rash judgments about your lips. After the procedure, it usually takes 14 days for swelling to disappear completely, and for you to see the results you’ll have for the next several months. If you’re still unhappy after a couple of weeks, then come back to the Cosmetic Injectables Center and discuss it with us!

Can You Make Lip Fillers Last Longer?

Caring for your lip fillers is important. It’s not simply a procedure where you get it done and then it’s business as usual. The master lip injector nurses at Cosmetic Injectables Center will send you home with aftercare instructions that you should make sure to follow, but there are things you can do in the weeks and months after the procedure to help your lip fillers go the distance.

Stay in Town

You should be near your injector for at least one week, so that if there are any questionable signs that the filler is causing pressure on the artery or has entered an artery during your injection, the product can be reversed and re-injected 2 weeks later.

We do ask that you call us if you experience pain that is non-symmetrical, develop a cold sore, experience any skin color changes, lesions, nodules, or if the results don’t look even as we want safe and optimal results.

If you have any other questions about what to do and not to do after a lip filler injection, then make sure to ask the professionals at Cosmetic Injectables Centers. They’re happy to answer all of your questions.

Do Lip Fillers Hurt?

You know the old adage “No pain, no gain”? Well, that is true when it comes to lip filler injections! It’s certainly not going to be the most painful experience of your life, but it’s not exactly a day in Disneyland, either.

Everyone has a different experience when it comes to the discomfort injections cause. Some people have little to no discomfort or pain while others may have more. In general, the discomfort patients experience with lip filler injections is similar to tweezing.

We provide many different types of pain management:

  • Complete dental blocks
  • Nitrous laughing gas
  • Local numbing injections
  • Topical numbing creams

The products all have numbing ingredients, so the lips become numb as we start injecting. We also offer other accessories such as ice, vibrating devices, and squeeze balls to distract our patients. With added care by using the smallest needles available on the market and injection techniques that reduce discomfort, most of our patients quantify the level of pain as a 1 or 2 out of 10.

If you are concerned about discomfort, then make sure to speak with your injector before the procedures, so they can set your mind at ease.

How Long Does It Take to See Lip Filler Results?

Most of the dermal fillers we use for lips produce immediate results. Your lips will likely be fuller right after the injection. You shouldn’t be worried if things don’t look exactly how you imagined immediately after the procedure, though.

That does not mean your lip filler injection won’t produce the results you want. Bruising and slight swelling is normal for many people immediately after the procedure and that may give a false impression of asymmetry. Once everything has healed after about 14 days, you’ll see the true results of the procedure.

What Else Can I Do For Healthy, Young-Looking Lips?

Your lips are just like any other part of your face and deserve time and attention to help them maintain a youthful appearance. We have a product from our shop we recommend to help keep your lips hydrated and smooth:

Lip Quench Masque – This masque is formulated especially for the lips, helping to brighten and lighten the skin as it hydrates and moisturizes, resulting in a smooth lip appearance. It’s also not a bad idea to incorporate lip care into your skincare routine.

Are You Ready to Explore Lip Fillers?

As you can see, there’s a lot more to know than simply how long lip fillers last. Luckily, the team at Cosmetic Injectables Center has years of experience and knowledge with lip fillers that we can share with you. Come in for a consultation today to see just how lip fillers can help give you the results you’re looking for!

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