Isn’t it unfair that the areas of our body that we would like to stay plump and full—like our lips—actually lose their volume as we age? In this post, let’s explore how the aging process causes lips to change, what lip fillers are, and whether this treatment might be right for you.
What happens to our lips over time?
We all have fat pads under our skin that cushion our muscles and bones. That—along with natural collagen—is what keeps us looking plump and fresh. The older we get, we start losing structural support. Our lips follow the same pattern and become thinner because of collagen loss. To put it in more graphic terms, our lips deflate. You should also know that lips start to thin earlier than you’d expect: in your 20s! However, when you’re young, your body produces more collagen than breaks down.
There are surefire ways to prevent your lips from thinning:
- Not talking
- Not smiling
- Not drinking
- Not smoking
Seems impossible (except for the smoking and drinking part), right? The point I’m making is that it’s unrealistic to think that you can completely avoid thinning lips. This is especially true since your genetics also play a big role in how you age, and therefore how your lips will shrink.
The best thing you can do to stave off total volume loss is to stay hydrated which promotes collagen production, get adequate sleep, and use SPF products on your lips.
What are lip fillers?
When it comes to helping your lips look fuller, there are a few options available in Canada. At one end of the spectrum, you’ll find topical products, best known as limp plumpers. These types of glosses often have ingredients that contain mild irritants like cinnamon, menthol, or capsicum. When you slather them onto your lips, blood rushes to the surface of your lips and this results in your lips swelling or plumping temporarily. At the other end of the spectrum, there’s the surgical lip lift. There are several types of lip lift procedures but in general, the procedure involves removing some skin between the nose and then lifting the lip to expose more pink tissue. Lip lifts add height as opposed to volume to the lips.
The treatment we offer at Be Beautiful Medical—Lip Fillers—are longer lasting than plumpers, safe, and less invasive than lip lifts. This non-surgical procedure helps to plump, define and hydrate the lips and restores your youthful and pretty pout.
The filler itself is made up of hyaluronic acid. When injected into your lips just below the surface of the skin, it gives it structure and hydration. And because your body naturally produces hyaluronic acid, the filler will integrate into your lip tissue.
What should you know about the treatment?
Lip fillers injections are for anyone who has thinning lips or wants to enhance naturally thin lips. This is also an effective treatment for those who are noticing lines around their mouth. That said, there are people who should not get lip fillers and this list includes those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, those who have had complications with fillers in the past, those who have unrealistic expectations of beauty.
Let’s look at some key facts about the procedure itself:
SAFETY When you are in the care of experienced hands, this is a safe procedure. This doesn’t mean it comes without risks, however. These may include infection, persistent lumps, and vascular occlusion that can lead to tissue damage and in rare cases blindness. The process is reversible, however, it doesn’t eliminate the necessity of going to an injector with a deep knowledge of anatomy, good technical skills, and an eye for what is aesthetically pleasing.
LENGTH OF PROCEDURE From start to finish, you may be in our office for a total of 45 minutes to an hour. This time includes answering any of your last-minute questions, numbing the area, doing our pre-treatment safety checks, performing the procedure, and giving you post-procedure instructions.
PAIN FACTOR There is some discomfort during the procedure because your lips are filled with sensitive nerve endings. That said, we strive to make you as comfortable as possible using local anesthesia, topical anesthetic, a vibration device that distracts the nerves. We also send you home with a reusable ice pack to reduce swelling and further minimize the pain.
COST Based on the result you’re looking for and the state of your lips, this treatment can cost anywhere from $550 to $625 per session. Based on our consultation, we’ll alert you to the number of procedures you will need to achieve the results you seek.
LONGEVITY While lip fillers last longer than plumpers, they are still a semi-permanent solution. Fillers can last anywhere from six to twelve months.
RESULTS Immediately after your injections, you’ll notice added plumpness in your lips. Some of this is due to swelling. Final results will become apparent in about two weeks up to one month.
WHAT ARE THE MAIN TAKEAWAYS?
If you’re considering lip fillers, there are two things I want to stress once again. First, find a doctor (or nurse injector) who is experienced. Your safety is in their hands. The second is to make sure that you have realistic expectations. In the past, I have declined to perform a treatment on people because they wanted lips that would look unnatural and disproportionate to their facial features.
Our clinic is fuelled by the belief that our treatments enhance a person’s beauty. We’re not here to change you. We’re here to help you feel more confident—inside and out. And if that involves plumping your lips back to their youthful appearance, so be it!
If you think lip fillers might help put a little more swagger in your step, reach out to us to book a free consultation.