Everything You Need To Know About Lip Enhancements
June 24, 2023 - By Suki Zhu (RN)
Lip enhancements have gained popularity as a non-surgical way to enhance the lips. If you've ever considered lip fillers, it's essential to have a comprehensive understanding of the procedure, the different types of fillers available, the benefits, potential side effects, and important considerations. In this blog post, we will guide you through everything you need to know about lip fillers to help you make an informed decision.
What Are Lip Enhancements?
Lip enhancements, also known as lip shaping or lip augmentation, involve the injection of a volumising agent into the lips to enhance their size, shape, and symmetry.
Types of Lip Enhancements:
There are several types of lip enhancement available, with different formulations and consistencies. The most commonly used lip volumising agent contains hyaluronic acid (HA), a substance naturally found in the body that provides moisture, volume and structure to the skin.
At Bare Aesthetics, we offer a selection of premium, industry-leading lip volumising products approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). We only utilise HA-based volumising agents, as they can provide natural-looking results, be adjusted as needed, and, most importantly, reversible if desired.
Benefits of Lip Enhancements:
1. Enhance Lip Volume: Add volume to the lips, creating a fuller and more plump appearance.
2. Lip Symmetry: Correct asymmetry and balance out uneven or disproportionate lips.
3. Lip Definition: Enhance the lip border (vermilion border) to create a more defined cupid's bow.
4. Hydration and Smoothness: Hyaluronic acid-based volumisers can hydrate the lips, improving their texture and reducing the appearance of fine lines.
5. Anti-aging: As we age, our lips will gradually become thinner and drier, slowly losing their fullness, hydration and shape. Lip enhancement is a great option to restore volume and re-create a hydrated, youthful lip shape.
The Procedure:
In Australia, a lip enhancing procedure must be performed by a medical doctor or registered nurse with current AHPRA registration. The procedure typically takes 1 hour to complete and involves the following steps:
a. Consultation: During the initial consultation, you will discuss your medical history, goals, desired lip shape, and treatment plan with your practitioner. They will assess your lips and facial features to determine the most suitable approach. At Bare Aesthetics, we believe in 'less is more' and going slow with lip enhancements, therefore you may require more than one session to achieve the desired outcome.
b. Numbing: A topical numbing cream or local anesthesia may minimise discomfort during the procedure. At Bare Aesthetics, we use a prescription strength numbing cream for our lip-enhancing procedures. Additionally, our volumising agents are pre-mixed with a numbing agent to further reduce discomfort. We also offer a range of tools to help with pain and discomfort, such as a vibration device. Most of our patients report feeling minimal discomfort during their lip enhancement procedure.
c. Injection: The volumising agent is injected into specific areas of the lips using a very fine needle or cannula. The provider will carefully sculpt and shape the lips to achieve the desired outcome. At Bare Aesthetics, our refined technique prioritises symmetry, ratio, shape and hydration over size. We take into consideration your overall facial balance, and our goal is to keep your lips looking as natural as possible, adding to your already beautiful face.
d. Post-Treatment Care: After the procedure, your provider will provide you with post-treatment instructions, which may include avoiding strenuous exercise, excessive heat, or pressure on the lips. You may require a follow-up appointment 2 weeks after your treatment.
Potential Side Effects:
While lip enhancements are generally considered safe, there are some potential side effects to be aware of, including:
a. Temporary Swelling and Bruising: Mild swelling and bruising at the injection sites are common and typically subside within 2 weeks.
b. Sensitivity or Discomfort: Some individuals may experience temporary sensitivity, tenderness, or minor discomfort in the treated area.
c. Allergic Reactions: Although rare, allergic reactions to the volumising agent can occur. Inform your provider of any known allergies or sensitivities beforehand.
d. Volumiser Migration: This is a rare event where the agent has spread to unintended locations, which may require dissolving to fully address the issue. To avoid migration, it is essential to choose an experienced, conservative and ethical practitioner who is using TGA-approved products, and ensure you strictly follow the aftercare instructions.
Adverse Event: Vascular Occlusion
Before your treatment, your practitioner should discuss all risks and side effects with you, and educate you to look out for symptoms of vascular occlusion.
Vascular occlusion is a serious medical adverse event. It occurs when there is a blockage within a blood vessel. Due to the extensive blood supply of our face, each time we inject any volumiser into the face, there is always a risk of injecting the product inadvertently into a blood vessel. To manage vascular occlusion, we must dissolve the volumiser immediately to restore blood flow, using a HA dissolving agent. After dissolving, you must wait at least 2 weeks before refilling.
Nearly all vascular occlusion cases occur during the treatment and symptoms can be recognised by the practitioner instantly. However, a delayed-onset vascular occlusion is possible, where symptoms develop a few days after the treatment. Although rare in occurrence, you must notify your practitioner immediately if symptoms occur.
Longevity and Maintenance:
The duration of lip enhancements varies depending on factors such as the type of agent used, individual metabolism, and lifestyle. Generally, lip enhancements can last anywhere between 6-12 months. To maintain the desired results, follow-up treatments may be necessary.
Choosing a Qualified Provider:
It is crucial to choose a qualified and experienced medical professional for your lip enhancement procedure. Seek a provider who has a deep understanding of facial anatomy, proper injection techniques, and a history of delivering natural-looking results.
At Bare Aesthetics, our treatments are carried out by a qualified AHPRA registered medical professional, and we use only TGA-approved pharmaceutical products. Our in-house technique follows your natural anatomy and minimises volumiser migration. Our goal is to bring out your ideal lip shape without overfilling, and we believe that the right pair of lips should never distract the face, but rather add to your natural beauty.
Cost:
Due to TGA regulations, pricing cannot be discussed before a consultation. At Bare Aesthetics, consultations are always complimentary. Feel free to schedule an appointment online or reach out to us with any questions.
The right pair of lips should never overwhelm the face.
