What are Lip Fillers?
Lip fillers are hyaluronic acid (HA) based dermal fillers that are an effective treatment to add volume and structure to the lips, whilst also smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles. Lip fillers also restore moisture to the lips due to the HA content. HA has an amazing ability to attract water, providing deep hydration to the lips.
HA naturally occurs in the skin and is produced by our own skin cells. However, production slows dramatically as we age, resulting in loss of plumpness and elasticity. The lips lose volume, start to become thinner and lack definition. Wrinkles will start to appear and the lips can become dehydrated.
By injecting HA into the lips this will improve their overall condition, resulting in a smoother and softer appearance.
Lift, Define & Improve Symmetry
Most lips will lose volume and definition with age. Lip fillers enhance the lips natural shape, whilst also adding definition and plumpness. Lip augmentation is therefore a perfect treatment for lips that are lacking in structure, are naturally thin or have become thin with age.
The lips become more defined, resulting in an instantly refreshed and more youthful appearance.
Full lips with a well defined cupid's bow have always been associated with youth and beauty. However, lip fillers not only add definition and volume but can also be used to improve symmetry and add structure. Lip fillers can be very subtle without adding too much volume.
The Lip Treatment - What to Expect
Every lip treatment is unique and tailored to the look you desire, whether it be to create a cupid’s bow to die for or to restore small amounts of lost volume.
The number of lip injections and the technique used in the treatment will therefore vary depending on your desired outcome. This will be discussed in detail during your consultation in the clinic.
Numbing cream is applied for all lip filler treatments so that any discomfort is minimal. Most patients do not experience any pain.
Russian lip fillers have become one of the most popular dermal filler treatments amongst many patients in the clinic, which tends to involve more lip injections and so can increase swelling. The injection technique used accentuates the shape of the lips, increases the overall size and emphasises the cupid’s bow, creating a subtle heart shape.
This technique creates flatter, yet fuller looking lips. However, some patients may need more volume and forward protection to create a more balanced side profile and so every treatment will be bespoke to you.
During the consultation your full facial anatomy is reviewed in order to create the best desired outcome and restore a more youthful but natural appearance.
It’s important to analyse the whole face and work with the natural shape of not just the lips but the entire face, so that any filler treatments compliment your overall features.
A lip filler treatment may therefore also be combined with other dermal filler treatments, such as nasolabial folds, smile lines, cheeks, chin and jaw. For further details on our dermal filler treatments please see the treatment page.
Smoker's Lines
A lip filler treatment can also help to smooth out smoker’s lines, the vertical lines that appear around the mouth.
Fine lines and wrinkles form around the mouth due to repeated facial movement. These movements along with a decrease in collagen and elastin causes lip lines to appear.
A lip filler treatment can also be combined with an anti wrinkle treatment to relax the muscle which is causing the excess movement.
A few units of Botox are injected along the border of the lip to the upper and lower lip muscle, which relaxes the muscle resulting in “flipped” fuller lips and also reduces smoker’s lines appearing.
This is popular as a stand alone treatment for those who are looking to achieve a subtle lift to the lips but can also be combined with a dermal filler lip treatment for maximum impact.
Lip Fillers Brentwood, Essex
If you’re looking for a bespoke lip filler treatment in Brentwood, Essex then look no further! At Alabaster Aesthetics we offer a free consultation in the clinic to discuss your goals so that we can select the right product and technique which is tailored to you to give you your dream pout and the best possible results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are lip fillers safe?
Lip fillers are completely safe when administered by a suitable trained and qualified practitioner and the necessary precautions are taken. However, there are risks and it is extremely important to be aware of these. These will be discussed in detail during the consultation process.
HA based fillers can be dissolved if required and are normally very well tolerated by clients with no adverse effects as HA is a natural constituent of the skin.
Only the top brands are used which have undergone years of research and testing.
At Alabaster Aesthetics our favourite brand to use is the Juvéderm Vycross range which causes minimal irritation and swelling, and lasts longer.
Do lip fillers hurt?
Discomfort is minimal. Numbing cream is applied to the area treated and the filler is then applied using a very fine needle or a blunt cannula to keep the procedure as pain free as possible.
How much do lip fillers cost?
The cost will depend on the brand of product used and the amount required to achieve the desired results. Multiple sessions may be required for Russian lips for example as we rarely put more than 1ml into the lips in one session.
We often get asked how many ml will I require and how much will that cost? However, advanced filler treatments are not administered per ml. The amount of dermal filler injected is tailored to you and the amount required to enhance your own facial features.
A full breakdown of the prices can be found on our pricing page.
What should I do before my lip filler appointment?
- Avoid anti-inflammatory medication such as Aspirin or Ibuprofen for one week prior to the appointment
- Avoid alcohol 48 hours prior to the appointment
- If your prone to bruising consider taking Arnica tablets 48 hours prior to the appointment
What should I do after my lip filler appointment?
- Avoid heavy exercise for 48 hours after the appointment
- Avoid UV exposure and excessive heat such as from saunas and steam rooms for two weeks
- Do not have any beauty treatments on your face e.g. facials, facial massage for two weeks
- Avoid extreme cold to the area, including ice packs If necessary a cold compress can be applied to the area
- Keep the skin clean – do not apply makeup that day
- As with all procedures involving injections, you can expect to experience some initial swelling, redness and bruising, which will subside over the next 1 – 14 days
