Eleven Important Things To Keep In Mind Before A Lip Filler Procedure
Lip fillers are becoming more and more common these days, but some people have more natural-looking results compared to others. Are you looking for information about lip fillers and what you can do to get those incredible plump lips, before considering lip injections?
Here are eleven important points to keep in mind before getting lip fillers.
1. What medical qualifications does your practitioner have?
A qualified medical practitioner is a must, no matter the type of treatment you’ve chosen. It’s even more important when the procedure involves injections. Evaluate the qualifications, reviews, experience, and feedback from former clients before selecting a practitioner. There are plenty of horror stories about unqualified practitioners botching up lip filler procedures. Don’t fall for low prices – if you take this decision, quality, not money, must be the biggest factor.
2. Which lip fillers are ideal for your needs?
Collagen used to be a popular choice to achieve pouty lips. However, its effects are permanent, which makes it difficult to reverse should you not like the results or change your mind about them down the road. These days, hyaluronic acid or HA is used by most practitioners. It’s a natural substance that can hold 1000x times its own weight when dissolved in water. Since its properties are temporary and easily reversible, complications are no longer a life-shattering ordeal (while complications do happen, consulting a qualified practitioner will greatly minimize the chances of problems happening). Reversing the procedure is also easy if you’re unhappy with your looks. Before considering lip injections, be sure to understand Juvederm and Restylane are two of the most popular HA lip fillers available today.
3. How long does it take for the results of the lip filler procedure to be visible?
After the injections are done, expect your lips to remain swollen for at least 24 hours. Do note that your appearance during this time is not final. The swelling will decrease over time, thus bringing the size of your lips down to the result you were looking for. Good practitioners will also have you return again for post-treatment consultations to evaluate your progress and clear any doubts on your mind.
4. How safe are lip filler procedures?
HA fillers are approved by the FDA. They are completely safe, provided the procedure is carried out by a qualified practitioner. If you have any issues, reach out to your practitioner to learn the best course of action. Dissolving HA fillers is quite easy if the situation calls for it, but removing collagen fillers can be a complicated process.
The practitioner’s medical background, training, and skills can help them make the treatment safer. A practitioner with a medical science background such as a nurse, dentist, pharmacist prescriber, or doctor has a better grasp over facial anatomy, which helps them inject the fillers safely. Unqualified practitioners can make this procedure dangerous and cause vascular occlusions. Always do your due diligence before the treatment, as your body deserves nothing but the best care. Have the procedure done by a qualified practitioner who is trained to deal with any issues arising from the procedure.
5. How much lip filler is safe?
The quantity of lip filler that will be injected is dependent on your desired results and the advice of your practitioner. Most first-timers will require just 0.5 – 1 ml of lip filler for a completely natural result. You can also get bigger results by consulting a specialist who will determine the best course of action to achieve the looks you seek while maintaining a natural look. It’s important not to overdo it the first time around – you can always step it up in the future.
6. Do lip filler procedures hurt?
Each person has a different pain tolerance. However, for the vast majority, lip filler procedures are just mildly uncomfortable, not painful. There are many numbing techniques used by practitioners to reduce the discomfort as lips tend to be overly sensitive in general. A dental block involves injections to the gums that numb your mouth completely during the procedure. Numbing cream is also a popular choice. Before considering lip injections, talk to a qualified practitioner about the options they offer. After the treatment, you may be left with sore and swollen lips for a couple of days – that’s normal and nothing to be worried about.
7. How long will the results last?
Most dermal filler treatments will last for up to 10 months. However, the exact time is dependent on how long your body takes to metabolize all the HA fillers. This may happen in as little as six months in some cases, while others may see their results last for up to a year or more.
8. Do lip filler procedures hurt?
Each person has a different pain tolerance. However, for the vast majority, lip filler procedures are just mildly uncomfortable, not painful. There are many numbing techniques used by practitioners to reduce the discomfort as lips tend to be overly sensitive in general. A dental block involves injections to the gums that numb your mouth completely during the procedure. Numbing cream is also a popular choice. Talk to a qualified practitioner about the options they offer. After the treatment, you may be left with sore and swollen lips for a couple of days – that’s normal and nothing to be worried about.
9. How expensive is this treatment?
Lip filler treatment costs are dependent on the filler type you’ve used and the clinic where you get your procedure done. In general, it should set you back by around $400 – $900. There are many dodgy lip filler brands in the market that you should avoid at all costs – never opt for cheap options that do more harm than good. A well-trained, medically qualified practitioner will use safe and reputable lip filler brands like Juvederm®, Radiesse®, Perlane®, and Restylane®. Be wary of cheap options – the Internet is filled with horror stories of people who went down this road, only to regret them big-time!
10. Are there any side effects to this treatment?
Lips are incredibly sensitive to medical procedures and so will feel sore and swollen for a couple of days after the procedure is done. At any rate, it shouldn’t last for more than 3-4 days at most. Since a cannula or needle is used to inject HA, redness, and bruising is quite common after the treatment. There are chances of suffering allergic reactions to the filler as well, though this is quite rare. Before considering lip injections, consult your practitioner to learn more about all the side effects of a lip filler procedure.
11. What can I do to prepare for the procedure?
Avoid using aspirin or medication containing aspirin for at least seven days before the lip filler procedure. Consult your practitioner or GP if you’re on medication containing aspirin. Avoid ibuprofen, and Vitamin E, as their blood-thinning properties can cause increased bruising after the procedure. Paracetamol is still allowed during this week. Avoid alcohol as well, since it can cause increased bruising and bleeding after the procedure.
Click below to learn more about how Injectables are used in non-surgical procedures.
SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION
Interested in lip fillers, lip fillers near me or lip fillers Santa Barbara? Whether you are thinking about having an aesthetic treatment, a non-surgical procedure or have had prior surgery and are seeking to additional touch-ups, it is critical to work with a skilled plastic surgeon that specializes in facial procedures. Dr. Robert Sheffield is a board-certified facial plastic surgeon at SB Aesthetics offering Med Spa services to those in Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, San Luis Obispo, Oxnard and Ventura, CA, and the surrounding communities. Dr. Sheffield offers patients a customized treatment plan and is available to answer your questions. To schedule a consultation, call 805.318.3280 today.
