5 Things to Consider Before Getting Lip Fillers
Updated on 01/30/2024
Lip fillers have significantly grown in popularity over the recent years due to the increased use of social media, promotion from celebrities and an overall desire to look physically attractive. In fact, according to Grand View Research, ‘the global lip augmentation market size was estimated at USD 6.4 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow at an annual growth rate of 7.8% from 2023 to 2030’.
While it is a super popular treatment across the world, it is still a medical procedure with its own risks, and there are therefore a handful of things that must be considered before going ahead with it.
Here are 5 things you should carefully consider before going ahead with lip fillers:
- Understand the ins and outs of the procedure
- Research and choose a qualified practitioner
- Consider the downtime and recovery period
- Consider the cost and maintenance
- Think about alternative options
1. Understand The Ins & Outs Of The Procedure
Before booking the appointment or even researching a practitioner, you must fully understand everything about the procedure - the ins & outs of the process, possible risks, the types of filler being used, and just simply what to expect at the appointment.
So, What Are Lip Fillers & What Is The Injection Procedure Like?
In short, lip fillers, also known as dermal fillers, are cosmetic substances that are injected into the lips to increase their size, enhance their shape, and create an overall plumper appearance. The most popular type of lip fillers are made up of hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring substance found in the body.
There are a range of hyaluronic acid fillers on the market, for example Juvederm, Restylane and Perlane, and they work by attracting and retaining water at the injection site, enhancing volume and giving the lips a fuller look. This type of filler is temporary and will slowly break down over time, typically lasting anywhere from anywhere between 6 to 18 months, depending on the specific type of product used and the individual themselves.
The procedure for getting lip fillers is pretty quick and should always be performed by a qualified medical practitioner. In most cases the practitioner will firstly apply a numbing cream to the lips to help minimise pain throughout the procedure. After about 20 minutes, the practitioner will use a fine needle or cannula to inject the filler into the lips at certain areas.
The practitioner may use a variety of techniques, such as adding volume, shaping the cupid's bow, defining the vermillion border, and balancing out lip proportions.
What Are The Risks Of Lip Fillers?
While lip fillers are generally considered a safe procedure when carried out by a professional qualified aesthetic practitioner, there are of course some risks that come with it (just like any medical procedure).
Here are some of the typical risks you might expect from getting lip fillers:
- Redness and bruising - The lips may feel tender after the procedure, and it’s common to experience some redness and bruising at the injection sites for one or two days after too.
- Lumps and bumps - Sometimes, the filler might not distribute across the lips evenly, leading to the formation of small bumps. This usually doesn’t stay around for long however as long as it is massaged or corrected by the practitioner.
- Migration - In some rare cases, the filler may move away from the injection site, causing uneven results or changes in lip shape. This is why it is so important to choose a qualified practitioner, an appropriate filler type and a correct injection technique to help prevent migration.
This brings us nicely onto our second point…
2. Research & Choose A Qualified Practitioner
Remember, lip filler injections are medical procedures, and must only be performed by trained aesthetic professionals who have the necessary qualifications and experience to carry out this procedure correctly and most importantly, safely.
Make sure you research a number of different lip filler practitioners, checking out their website, social media accounts, reviews, before and after pictures and qualifications/experience.
By conducting thorough research and selecting a reliable and fully qualified aesthetic practitioner, you can have total peace of mind that you’re in safe hands.
Once you have chosen a practitioner, book a consultation appointment so you can discuss your desired end result, medical history and talk through any questions or concerns you may have.
What Happens At A Lip Filler Consultation?
A lip filler consultation is an essential part of the lip filler process and typically starts off with the practitioner assessing your lips and evaluating the quality of your skin and the condition of your lip tissue.
They will also ask you about your desired outcome and the specific concerns you want to target, for example you might want to increase the size, enhance lip shape, define the lip border, or fix any asymmetry.
They will also run through your medical history, including any allergies, previous cosmetic procedures, medications you are currently taking, and any existing medical conditions they need to be aware of.
Once they have assessed your lips and have an idea of your medical history, the practitioner will discuss what can be realistically achieved with this procedure and whether your expectations align with the potential outcomes.
3. Consider The Downtime & Recovery Period
Another thing you must consider is the downtime and recovery period after the procedure.
Straight after the treatment, you may experience some immediate swelling, redness, and tenderness at the injection sites. These effects are normal and usually subside within a few hours to a day.
You can usually resume your normal activities immediately after the procedure, but it’s advised to avoid vigorous physical activities, alcohol consumption, and excessive heat for the first 24 hours.
Other things you should avoid are lipsticks and lip glosses for the first 24 hours after the treatment. It's also best to avoid very hot or spicy foods during the initial recovery period.
You should also avoid flying for two weeks following the procedure. This is because fillers need time to settle and while the cabin pressure on a flight can leave you feeling and looking swollen regardless of any treatments, this risk of swelling can increase when you have recently had lip filler.
For more information and aftercare advice for lip fillers, check out this blog.
4. Consider The Cost & Maintenance
Like any aesthetic procedure, lip fillers are not generally considered cheap, so it’s really important you consider the cost and think about if you can realistically afford it. Not only should you think about the initial treatment, but also any potential follow-up treatments or touch-ups that may be necessary.
As mentioned in point 1, lip fillers are not permanent and will gradually break down overtime, so if you want long lasting effects, you might need to consider maintenance. Can you realistically afford getting this treatment done every 12-18 months?
It’s worth noting that some practitioners do however offer split payments whereby you can pay the total amount in 2 or 3 separate payments. If this is something that interests you, ensure you choose a practitioner that offers this payment method.
While it is inevitable that your body will break down filler overtime, there are a number of things you can do to prevent this happening as quickly, such as maintaining a healthy lifestyle and reducing stress levels. Discover more tips for helping your lip filler last longer here.
5. Think About Alternative Options
While you might have your heart set on lip fillers, have you explored the other non-invasive options for lip enhancement, for example lip plumping glosses or lip liners? Make sure you’ve fully considered the other options before going ahead with this treatment.
If you have a passion for cosmetics, you might even consider training as an aesthetic practitioner yourself, whether that be in lip fillers or other areas of aesthetics such as botulinum toxin, weight management, and dermaplaning. Discover the many benefits of becoming an aesthetic nurse.
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You Can Clinic is one of the UK's leading providers of aesthetic training courses and pharmaceutical supplies. Over 1000 individuals have progressed through our affordable programmes, which provide comprehensive coverage of all relevant aesthetic procedures. Available from beginner to advanced courses.
Written by Kate, for You Can Clinic.
