One of the most sensual and attractive parts of our body (especially our face) is the lips. We desire full lips for ourselves just as much as we desire to kiss others’ full lips. However, many men and women do not have plump lips. Instead, their lips are thin, some almost nonexistent. Whether from genetics or from age, if you suffer from thin lips, you can feel very self-conscious about their minimal appearance. And while you can try the do-it-yourself improvement to increase the size of your non-existent lips with lipstick and lip gloss, it is easier and better to simply increase the volume of your lips so that you can achieve the plump and sensual facial appearance that you want. Well, this is where cosmetic treatments come in…

 

Lip injections, which use dermal fillers, is the best non-surgical way to augment your lips. This treatment increases the volume of your lips so that you are able to have those plump, luscious, and kissable lips.

 

While lip injections are among the most popular and effective facial cosmetic treatments, many people have questions about this procedure, including how long the results from lip injections really last. Unfortunately, there isn’t a single answer to this question. Instead, a variety of factors contribute to the length of your lip injection results. Below, you will find information on some of these different factors so that you can better understand what to expect with your lip injection treatment.

 

What Are Lip Injections?

 

Before we get into the length of lip injection results, it is important that we talk briefly about the actual treatment procedure. 

 

The JUVÉDERM® Collection of injectable fillers is one of the most effective minimally invasive treatments to improve the volume, shape, and aesthetic appearance of the lips. JUVÉDERM® is one of the most trusted dermal fillers on the market. Dermal fillers are injectable treatments that can be used to increase volume in various areas of the body and face where the skin is thinning (whether from age or lifestyle). The most common ingredient in dermal fillers is hyaluronic acid (HA). HA works by attracting and retaining moisture, which means that the volume of your lips is improved naturally. For this procedure, your cosmetic provider will inject the JUVÉDERM® solution directly into your lips. Because there may be some discomfort with this procedure, some patients choose to have a local anesthesia injected in the treatment area. After a week, you will begin to see your results. This, then, leads to the question…

 

How Long Will My Lip Fillers Last?

 

Most injectable treatments last between nine and 12 months; however, the actual length of a patient’s results varies from treatment to treatment and is dependent on several different factors. Some of these factors include how the patient’s body responds to the injectable. 

 

Your age, body makeup, and lifestyle play a significant role in the success of your lip filler. While you cannot change your age or the way your body responds to these injectables, you can gain a decent idea of how long your lip injections will last for you, specifically. Additionally, you can be in charge of your lifestyle. Following all post-treatment protocols provided later in this blog will give you a leg up on having long-lasting lip fillers.

 

What Can I Expect After My Lip Injections?

 

It is normal for your lips to be swollen, tender, and even a little bruised after your filler treatment. Letting your lips heal thoroughly and treating them well is key to preserving them so that they can look their best for as long as possible. Here are some post-treatment tips to help your lips recover:

 

• Don’t drink from a straw immediately after your injection
• Avoid tugging at or massaging your lips
• Don’t sleep on your face 
• Don’t drink alcohol for a few days before or after (alcohol can thin the blood and make bruising worse)

 

The good news is that side effects for non-surgical lip fillers only last a day or two. However, surgical augmentation can take up to three months for normal sensation to return to the lips. After your lip injections have healed, you are able to resume your normal everyday activities! One thing to keep in mind, though, is that facial massages have been reported to accelerate the breakdown of the hyaluronic acid, which can cause your filler results to have a shorter lifespan. 

 

How Long Do Lip Flip Injections Last?

 

Many men and women think that BOTOX® Cosmetic is the same as a dermal filler; however, the reality is that this isn’t true. BOTOX® Cosmetic is a neuromodulator that temporarily paralyzes the muscles in the facial region (typically around the eyes, between the brows, and on the forehead). BOTOX® Cosmetic reduces the appearance of unwanted lines and wrinkles in your skin by blocking the treated muscles from sending signals to your brain. So, while it is a common misconception BOTOX® Cosmetic is a filler, it actually works in different ways. With all that being said, though, BOTOX® Cosmetic still provides some of the same benefits as dermal fillers, like a smoother facial appearance. Additionally, it can work to complement your lip filler treatment. 

 

BOTOX® Cosmetic can actually help provide men and women with full lips. When BOTOX® Cosmetic is injected into the upper lip, it creates the appearance of plump lips. The injectable treatment relaxes the muscles, causing the upper lip to relax and curl outward. This treatment is known as a lip flip, and while it does not actually fill the lips, it can be used in conjunction with a lip filler to accentuate your results to provide you with the appearance of full, luscious lips! 

 

 

 

What if I Am Not Happy With My Results?

 

The great thing about lip injections is that they are temporary. The even better thing is that your results can be reversed. If you undergo dermal fillers to the lips and decide that you are unhappy with your results, or it just wasn’t the look you were trying to achieve, then most hyaluronic acid lip fillers can be dissolved with a different solution injected into the treatment area. We know that things happen, and it is difficult to completely visualize what your results will be, but it is very important that you research lip fillers and know exactly what you want when coming in for your consultation. Doing so will allow us to schedule the best treatment for you so that we can match your results up with the goals you wish to achieve. 

 

For more information about lip injections at Sanctuary Medical Aesthetic Center, please call our office at 561-234-4026 or fill out our online contact form.