Cosmetic treatments are as popular as ever, with about 20 million surgical and nonsurgical procedures done annually, and a larger number of adults in their 30s and 40s opting to get some work done. Injectables, a minimally invasive way to target parts of the body through injections of materials, is also still quite common treatment, including over 7,000,000 Botox injections and nearly 3,000,000 soft tissue fillers.
Millions of people still seek fuller lips, and when it comes to injectables, dermal fillers are often used. Let’s learn more about this way of giving your lips the look you want, including the types available and what you can expect when you get them done.
Arlington, Virginia, residents looking for plumper lips and other cosmetic treatments can get the look they’re looking for from Drs. Talal Munasifi, James Economides, and their dedicated team at Advanced Plastic Surgery Center.
What are dermal fillers?
This type of injectable is a gel-filled solution that is inserted into parts of the body to add volume. It is a common solution for filling deep wrinkles and cheeks, reducing deep scars and under-eye circles, and smoothing out areas of your hands, neck, and chest. It’s become a go-to solution for these issues because the injections are placed just under the skin, offer minimal risk, and can be done quickly.
Because of these properties, they are a great way to add volume to lips. In addition to boosting confidence, they can also reduce the effects of volume reduction as you age, smooth wrinkles that develop around the mouth, and correct asymmetrical lips.
What types are there?
We offer a range of fillers for plumping lips and other treatments, including:
Juvederm®
This is the brand name for a form of hyaluronic acid often used for lip augmentation and filling other areas. This acid is a naturally occurring substance in your body and is also available in Juvederm XC®, Ultra XC®, Volbella®, Voluma®, and Vollure XC®.
Radiesse®
This is an injectable solution made up of gel microspheres of calcium hydroxyapatite, a combination of phosphate and calcium ions that helps to stimulate the production of naturally occurring substances like collagen. This is an essential protein to your skin’s structure and is present in many body parts.
What can I expect from treatment?
After we gather the important information about your general health and assess the shape of your face and lips, when you come in we’ll start by applying a topical anesthetic to your lips (often using creams with benzocaine, lidocaine, and tetracaine). The numbing should take 15-30 minutes; then, we use a thin needle to apply the filler to the targeted areas of your lips. You won’t feel pain, but some pinching is common, and you may have watery eyes.
What happens once it’s done?
Once it’s done, we’ll gently massage and ice your lips to help absorb the filler, and we’ll monitor you to ensure everything is successful. You can drive yourself home or wherever else you need to go. Apply ice to reduce any discomfort afterward, and for the first day or so, avoid lipstick, balm, or other cosmetic products for the lips. Exercise care when brushing your teeth, and avoid puckering by using a straw and kissing as your lips heal.
Fuller lips can be yours, so if you’re ready to enhance them or other treatments, make an appointment with Drs. Munasifi, Economides, and the team at Advanced Plastic Surgery Center today.
