It doesn’t take a holiday like Valentine’s Day for lips to be in our collective consciousness. In the last couple of decades, increasing or replacing volume in your lips with a lip augmentation with filler procedure has become a fun and safe way for my Boston area patients to explore changes to the face.
The results can be transformative, but they’re also not permanent. Appropriate for both men and women of all ages, the only way to get fuller lips that still look natural is to work within the confines of your anatomy. You cannot obtain “pillowy” lips if you do not have the makings of them. So, here’s how to achieve plumper lips that don’t make you look like a puffer fish.
How to Get Fuller, Natural Lips with Fillers
Social media has completely changed my practice. Patients today will see someone on Instagram or TikTok with full, lush lips and come in for a lip augmentation consultation asking for exactly the same thing. I like to tell them that celebrity lips should be about inspiration, not imitation. In order to deliver an exemplary, natural looking result, any aesthetic procedure must work with your individual anatomy, and no two set of lips are the same, not even in twins. So, the best way to get fuller, natural lips with filler is to:
- Respect the confines of your natal lips
- Use the appropriate filler for your desired outcome
- Consider combining a neurotoxin with filler
The end result is about creating or restoring facial harmony. My goal is to give you the best possible version of your lips. Some patients are born with lips that are thin, and everyone loses volume in the skin and tissues of the face, including the lips, with age. Restoring proper proportion with a lip augmentation can be a fantastic way to rejuvenate your entire face and outlook on life.
Best Fillers for a Lip Augmentation in Boston
I always use a combination of fillers for my lip augmentation procedure as the vermillion border, or outside line of your lips, and Cupid’s bow require a different approach than the pad of your lips. For the first two, I’ll choose a filler with a heavier molecule to provide more structure while the center of lips needs something that will create more lush fullness. In general, I use a combination of:
- Juvéderm Ultra
- Restylane
Every lip filler procedure is customized so how much of each filler and where it is placed depends on your:
- Age
- Anatomy
- Aesthetic interests
Ideal Patient for Filler in the Lips
The ideal patient for filler in the lips is any man or woman in good overall health who is bothered by a lack of volume in the lips. Sometimes a patient will come in who is just not happy with his or her appearance without realizing that the lips are playing a role. One of the many things that I love about the lip augmentation with fillers is that it is an easy way for you to safely try out subtle, rejuvenating changes to your face without permanent consequences. All of the fillers that I use are HA (hyaluronic acid) based and can always be dissolved if necessary.
Lip Augmentation with Filler Procedure & Recovery
The procedure itself is done in the office under topical anesthesia. If you have a history of cold sores, I will have you pre-treat with anti-viral medications. The procedure is not excessively painful, per se, but the lips are a tender area for everyone. A trusted member of my staff will first numb the area thoroughly with a combination of ice and a topical numbing agent. However, you can expect some discomfort during the procedure itself. It doesn’t last and the end result is worth it.
There will be some swelling and potential bruising for about 2-5 days, and I tell patients to refrain from social or work events for 7-10 days if you don’t want people knowing that you had something done. Many today don’t really care, but I do not want any of my patients to be caught off guard, especially for their first treatment. How long your results last will depend on how your body metabolizes filler, but if you have very thin lips, I will typically suggest a slow approach of a 1/2 syringe of filler every 6 months for a few years as this is the best way to attain a long-lasting, robust volume change in your lips that still looks completely natural.
To find out more about a lip augmentation with fillers, or any other surgical or non-surgical procedure with Dr. Sean Doherty at his Boston or Brookline office, contact us today or call (617) 450-0070 to schedule a consultation.