Lip augmentation with hyaluronic acid: a review of fillers

Expert tested

Sharubina Karina Petrovna Trichologist, dermatovenerologist, cosmetologist

Publication date: May 22, 2022

Review date: November 12, 2022

How to create dream lips? True beauty has no age, color, shape, there are no patterns at all - it is strictly individual.

Lips are the part of the face that makes it expressive and sensual. A charming smile can both drive members of the opposite sex crazy and win over strict bosses. Therefore, many girls and women pay special attention to their lips, trying, with the help of cosmetology, to create exactly the lips of their dreams, which, as they believe, nature did not reward them with.

Zhmurina Natalya Borisovna

Director, Chief Physician of “A Clinic” Dermatovenerologist, cosmetologist

The possibilities of today's cosmetology are endless - with the help of special preparations (fillers based on hyaluronic acid), you can create almost any lips. But before you ask for lips like Angelina Jolie’s, it’s worth remembering again that beauty is not a template. What looks harmonious on the face of a superstar may not suit your individual appearance at all.

Therefore, when deciding to have lip correction, you must first see and hear yourself. And an experienced cosmetologist will help you take a correct look at yourself from the outside, who, based on the patient’s wishes, will give him exactly the sponges of his dreams.

Who needs lip augmentation with hyaluronic acid?

Most often, girls who have naturally thin lips turn to cosmetologists for this procedure. This technique is suitable if a girl is not satisfied with the shape of her lips, but she is not ready to undergo surgery or introduce synthetic substances, which are not always safe. Hyaluronic acid has the advantage that it is not rejected when injected, because it is normally present in the body of every person. That is why this method is the safest.

Result:

• lips look more natural;
• uniformity and uniformity across all lips.
• the effect is reversible.

The latter plays a significant role, because there is a possibility that the patient will not like the result.

Lip correction with botulinum toxin

Now to correct lips we use not only fillers based on hyaluronic acid, but also botulinum toxin injections, yes, you heard right, exactly.

Using botulinum toxin, you can relax part of the orbicularis oris muscle and tuck the lip without filler. The distance from the nose to the upper lip is reduced - goodbye to one of the markers of aging.

In addition, botulinum toxin can help us when the depressor anguli oris muscle is very active and despite all efforts, correction of the corners with filler results in zero results. Just a few units entered into the DAO will provide us with an irreplaceable service, the muscle will relax and the corners will look up again.

How is lip contouring performed?

There are two main methods of performing the operation, on which the result depends:

1. Filling the contours. The point of the method is to create artificial edema by filling it with filler - an injectable drug that allows contouring without surgical intervention. The swelling increases within an hour, then the cosmetologist gives the desired shape and distributes the material by kneading the lips. The result depends on the speed of injection of the filler and the skill of the doctor performing the operation.
2. Parisian lips. This method allows you to maintain the naturalness of facial expressions. The shape is easy to adjust throughout the day, and the result looks natural. The method differs in the way fillers are introduced - using vertical injections.

Enlargement of only the upper or lower lips, most often the upper, is also becoming popular; this creates an attractive swelling. The lower one is usually increased only to correct aesthetic defects, which are either acquired due to injury or are congenital.

Fillers are introduced:

• needle;
• using a cannula.

Since the needles are laser sharpened, they penetrate the skin more easily and injure tissue less. The material is injected to a depth of 3 millimeters. The introduction with a needle can be divided into several step-by-step procedures, and the final result will be visible after the lips have completely healed.

The introduction of hyaluronic acid through a cannula is a more modern method:

• there is not much swelling left after it;
• there is less risk of the formation of severe hematomas (since the ends of the instrument are blunt).

To administer fillers under local anesthesia, two incisions are made in the corners of the mouth. After the lip procedure:

• swelling;
• blush;
• may look tense.

However, the next day after injection, the swelling begins to subside.

How does the procedure work?

Lip augmentation with hyaluronic acid is performed on an outpatient basis, does not require preliminary preparation, and takes up to 40 minutes. After applying the anesthetic cream, the doctor, using a disposable syringe with a microneedle, injects the drug into the lips and distributes it with massage movements. The effect is noticeable immediately and lasts for 6-13 months - full, moist, clearly defined lips. In some cases, there is slight swelling in the correction area, which goes away within 1-2 days.

How painful is the procedure?

The fillers are administered under local anesthesia, but there is still discomfort. Everyone’s feelings are different: some endure the procedure with their eyes slightly closed, while others already in the first second regret that they decided to undergo the procedure, feeling severe pain. Reviews vary and only agree that discomfort cannot be avoided. It depends on the sensitivity of the patient, which is different for everyone.

Pain occurs not only due to lip sensitivity:

1. Starting the procedure too quickly after applying the anesthetic, or vice versa – a long wait. Often the doctor either starts the injections too early or waits too long, which is why the effect of the painkillers may not be sufficient for the entire duration of the procedure.
2. The fact that the filler comes into contact with living tissue also causes pain.
3. Too much filler causes discomfort. Plump and thinner lips require different amounts of material. For thinner people less, but for plumper ones you need to work not only more, but also in several stages, this will also increase the pain.
4. Injury to blood vessels is inevitable when pierced with a needle. If a larger vessel is damaged, hematomas may occur. And if the cosmetologist inserts the needle too deep, the procedure may be more painful than expected.
5. Low pain threshold or, more simply put, sensitivity. Each person handles pain differently.
6. Nervous tension. The feeling of nervousness and fear causes vasospasm and increases tissue resistance. When a patient is afraid, he cannot relax, this also causes pain.

There are some recommendations that you can follow to make this procedure a little easier for yourself:

1. It is advisable to give up smoking and alcohol, as they have a bad effect on blood vessels and irritate nerves and pain receptors.
2. You need to choose the right day and time. It is best to carry out the procedure at lunchtime, since after 13 hours the pain is lowest. Choosing a day is easier - you should not carry out the procedure on critical days, since at this time the body is more sensitive.
3. It is recommended to replenish the balance of B vitamins in the body 10 days before the procedure; this will strengthen the mucous membrane of the lips.

The most important thing is to expect the operation in a good mood, because it’s all for the sake of beauty.

What to expect

Your consultation will be carried out by a cosmetologist, which includes highly qualified doctors. Your cosmetology specialist at the Shestakovykh Clinic will discuss all the details with you in detail to understand your lip goals. The doctor will also review your medical history to make sure that the treatment is absolutely safe for you.

Once your consultation is complete, a series of photographs are taken, which are kept in a completely confidential file and used to review progress with you and your cosmetic professional.

The lips are then thoroughly cleansed using a medicated cleansing solution. And then the necessary anesthetic cream is applied for up to 15 minutes to minimize discomfort. Once the cream has frozen the lips, the lips are cleansed again and the treatment process begins. Lip tattoo

What condition are your lips in immediately after the procedure?

Immediately after the augmentation procedure, swelling appears and the lips look swollen. As a rule, this goes away within a few days. There are:

• redness;
• slight lumping is possible;
• blurring the contour of the lips.

The sensations after the procedure are different for everyone, for some the swelling goes away faster, for others it takes longer. Painful sensations are purely individual for each girl.

After lip augmentation you cannot:

• touch lips with hands;
• eating food and drinks that are too hot or too cold;
• visit bathhouses, swimming pools, beaches, solariums for some time;
• open your mouth wide;
• strain the perioral area.

It is worth giving up kissing, eliminating physical activity and drinking alcohol. Do not make an appointment with the dentist for a month, and do not use any cosmetics or decorative cosmetics.

Contraindications

It is worth refusing to carry out biorevitalization either by injection or using a laser if you have the following contraindications:

• oncological diseases;
• herpes in the active stage;
• autoimmune diseases;
• moles in the selected area;
• problems with blood clotting;
• diabetes mellitus and epilepsy;
• age under 18 years;
• increased body temperature;
• allergy to the composition of the drug;
• pregnancy and lactation period.

When is the result visible and how long does it last?

You should not draw conclusions immediately after the procedure. At first the lips look like this:

• not entirely natural;
• tense;
• there is redness.

The result becomes visible only after rehabilitation and complete recovery. As a rule, this is no more than two weeks. The swelling gradually subsides, the lips acquire a natural color.

The result lasts from 6 months to a year. This depends on individual characteristics, on how quickly the fillers split, and on the drug injected. The more hyaluronic acid contained in the drug, the longer the effect will last. We must not forget about the cumulative effect - the more often you prick your lips, the longer the substance will remain in the layers of the skin.

Lip modeling cost of the procedure at the Doctor Grishkyan clinic in Moscow

Lip modeling

How much filler does it take to enlarge lips?

The calculation of the amount of materials should be made by a cosmetologist, preferably a licensed one. As a rule, this is individual. But usually:

• no more than 1 ml of the drug is used for thin lips;
• for fuller lips up to 3 ml, as it is necessary to increase the volume.

Lip augmentation with hyaluronic acid is a voluntary matter; every girl must choose for herself whether to decide on it or not. It is worth resorting to the procedure only after carefully weighing the pros and cons. One of the most compelling arguments in favor of such lip correction is safety. If you follow all the cosmetologist’s recommendations and choose the right drug, you can achieve an excellent result that you won’t have to regret in the future. If you are still not satisfied with the result, you can “roll back the effect” and return your lips to their previous shape and appearance.

Rating of the best lip fillers 2022

What are the best lip fillers according to cosmetologists?

JUVEDERM

The top popular fillers for lip augmentation are opened by the French drug from the company Alergan. There are several correction drugs in the line:

1. Ultra 2. Low density preparation; it is recommended to perform the first correction with it. The composition contains lidocaine and hyaluronic acid with a concentration of 24 mg/ml.
2. Ultra 3, Ultra 4. Medium and high density fillers. The effect lasts up to 1 year.
3. Juviderm Ultra Smile. Designed specifically for the lip area and for the correction of the entire perioral area. Duration is also up to 1 year. The best filler for lip correction.

pros

• Safe
• The effect lasts for 6-12 months
• Painless administration due to lidocaine in the composition
• Good value
• Quick Introduction

Minuses

• There may be some discomfort on the first day.

BELOTERO

One of the best modern fillers. A high-quality product based on hyaluronic acid will help not only replenish volume, but also correct the area around the mouth. The effect is fully visible immediately, but only after a week, but lasts up to a year.

pros

• Hypoallergenic
• For sensitive fabrics
• Eliminates wrinkles in the perioral area
• Easy introduction

Minuses

• There may be bruises that disappear in a couple of days
• Painful insertion

SCULPTRA

Preparation based on polylactic acid. It is rarely used for lip augmentation, but is popular due to its anti-aging effect. The drug smoothes out tissue from wrinkles and creases. The effect lasts up to 2 years.

pros

• Effect duration
• Stimulation of your own lip rejuvenation functions
• Proven effectiveness

Minuses

• Age of use only for patients over 35 years of age
• Price

TEOSYAL

The concentration of hyaluronic acid in Teosyal Kiss is 25 mg/ml. The drug copes well with replenishing volumes and correcting shape and asymmetry. The duration of the result is 6-9 months.

pros

• Painless
• Safely
• Does not cause allergies
• Best price
• Contains a complex of amino acids
• There is a drug for people who are allergic to lidocaine

Minuses

• Bruises and swelling may remain

Technicians

There are many different techniques that can be used to achieve your desired results, so at this point your cosmetic doctor will focus on the areas of your lips that you most want to improve. Lip fillers can be used to increase lip size, but they can also be used to create better lip symmetry, create definition, and/or improve the overall shape of the lips.

During the procedure, it is always important to focus on a smooth breathing cycle in and out of the nose, which helps to increase the level of comfort. Once the procedure itself is complete, your esthetician will cleanse your lips again and apply ice to reduce any expected swelling. Make beautiful lips for Strogino.

Your doctor will provide you with complete aftercare instructions and then schedule you for a 1-2 week free clinic evaluation.

Dermal fillers can be used to treat lips. Depending on the desired effect, different products are used. Lips require a softer product that guarantees a subtle and natural result.

There are many attributes that make lips attractive, including border, volume, balance and symmetry. Dermal fillers can both strengthen a youthful lip and add volume to the lips.

Lip enhancement