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Article Lip Filler Facts And Misconceptions

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Now more than ever lips have become a huge focus in the beauty industry, but far from the ‘trout pout’ aesthetic, lip fillers are being used for so much more than creating a plump pout.

Whether you’ve lost volume in your lips as you’ve aged, have an unsymmetrical smile or have lines that have appeared over the years, lip enhancement using lip fillers has come a long way. So we decided to delve into the current treatments available, to answer some of those burning questions around lip fillers, including getting a natural look.

We chatted to Dr. Mitchell Kim, Cosmos Aesthetics Gold Coast Medical Director, about lip fillers – to help separate the fact from the fiction.

What are lip fillers and how is it done?

Lip fillers are done using dermal fillers. Dermal fillers are usually made up of hyaluronic acid, which are naturally occurring sugar molecules, which we already possess under our skin. By injecting dermal fillers strategically, we can augment the patient’s lips, to give volume, improve definition, and also improve hydration.

What should I expect after having lip fillers? What are the side effects?

After lip fillers, you can resume most normal activities. Some common side effects include bruising and swelling which should subside in a few days. However, there are some not so common, but more serious side effects, which the injector should always discuss with the patient prior to undergoing the treatment.

Are all lip fillers the same? Why is Cosmos Aesthetics different?

There are a variety of dermal filler brands available on the market, and each brand has different fillers, suitable for different applications. What makes Cosmos Aesthetics different is our experienced medical staff, and our “less is more” mentality. Anyone can make lips look big and obvious, but the art in creating beautiful lips I believe, is a result which people definitely notice, but still believe is natural.

Cosmos

How do lip fillers work?

As I explained before, dermal fillers are made of hyaluronic acid, which is a naturally occurring sugar molecule, which we possess under our skin. This hyaluronic acid integrates with our natural hyaluronic acid to give volume. By injecting dermal fillers in the lips, a talented injector can create volume, fullness, and definition around the lips. Furthermore, depending on the patient’s anatomy, ethnic background, a certain ratio between the upper and lower lip is needed for it to look good, and natural.

What are the benefits of lip fillers? What can be achieved?

Fuller, more defined looking lips than before. Also, with a little volume from the lip fillers and the extra hydration it leads to, the grooves on the lips can soften, so that lipstick doesn’t clump in between.

Cosmos

How do I know if lip fillers will work for me?

Best to have a face to face consultation with an experienced injector

How long do lip fillers last?

Longevity of the dermal fillers vary, depending on the brand/type of filler used. Typically ones we use last 9-12 months.

Does it hurt?

Not going to lie and say it’s completely pain free. However, at Cosmos Aesthetics, we use a specially formulated numbing gel prior to the injection, to minimise the pain. And also the dermal fillers we use, innately has local anaesthetic mixed in, so as the injections occur, more anaesthesia is achieved.

Does everyone get a ‘trout pout’ after lip fillers?

Definitely not! Now if that’s the look a patient wants, it can be done, and I think the trout pout is what’s really given lip fillers a bad reputation. It’s all up to the skill of the injector after a careful consultation with the patient to really find out what they are after, and to inject accordingly to achieve those goals.

If you’re unhappy with the size, do your lips have to stay that way?

No. The great part of hyaluronic acid based dermal fillers, is that they are instantaneously dissolvable with a dissolving agent. We see a large number of patients who come to us after an unsatisfactory result elsewhere, in which case we dissolve the previous work completely, let it settle and start from scratch.

Is it really obvious when you’ve had lip fillers?

The two factors can increase the obviousness of lip fillers immediately after the treatment are swelling and bruising. Applying ice can minimise both swelling and bruising to an extent, but initially the lips will be a little bigger than what it will eventually look like for up to a few days. And bruising can usually be quite easily covered with cosmetics.

Cosmos

Are lip fillers just for the young and glamorous?

Not at all. As we age, our lips lose volume, get thin, get wrinkly, and lose moisture. And a lot of our maturer patients elect to get lip fillers, not to get necessarily bigger and more glamorous lips, but to add volume, and hydration.

It’s really expensive, isn’t it?

Well that depends on what you define as expensive. Price depends on where you go, who injects you and with what product, but usually 1mL of dermal fillers suitable for the lips are typically $400-800 in Australia as far as I’m aware.

*Before and After Images Disclaimer: Results may vary from patient to patient. All ‘after’ images are taken 2-4 weeks post treatment.

Mouths Of Mums is proudly working with Cosmos Aesthetics to bring you this article. As an experienced multi-disciplinary cosmetic surgery team in Australia, Cosmos Aesthetics masters a range of techniques and procedures that reflect organic creation of beauty. 

This article first appeared on Mouths Of Mums.

Are you considering lip fillers? Leave us a comment!

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Comments

  • I honestly do not understand why people do this. I have seen a lot of people who look absolutely awful after having fillers. While I am sure, these are people who have gone for an extreme change, I just think it is simply not worth the risk. It’s very vain and unnecessary.

  • I was reading the comments and must admit that it wouldn’t be bad to get them done if it wasn’t obvious. I think lip fillers just get a bad rap when it’s obvious and unnatural looking. I already have big lips but I can definitely see the appeal of having it done if yours are thinner.

  • Thanks for sharing ! The prize of $400-$800 is quite high when you consider it only lasts nine till twelve months. I can’t imagine people are able to repeat this financially time after time, unless you have of course a high income. I myself have a bit of a asymmetric upper lip due to removal of a skin tumor below my nose. I don’t think that is something that can be corrected.

  • I’m really not a fan of this, especially when the result is huge fat lips. On and old face these plumped up, smooth lips look out of place. I think I’d rather just grow old gracefully and naturally and accept the real me. Vanity had become a very expensive industry.

  • The before and afters look great in this article and would be the photos I take as inspo if I do decode to pursue. A natural, youthful and plumped look may be genetics but seems likely to be a very skilled cosmetic physician. Thank you for the great and informative article.

  • I actually love how natural these ones look in the article!! You can tell it was done by someone experienced and professional. I’ve always wanted to try as my lips arent the biggest, but have always been scared of the needle pain and the potential bruising etc it would cause! Maybe one day.

  • My lips are naturally quite full so it’s not something I have or would try. Might be good for those with thin lips. I have friends who often have lip fillers who really didn’t need them.
    One of them has huge lips now and they just look ridiculous on her.

  • Im not opposed to lip filler, I just cant afford it.

    If it looks natural and is used to enhance the lips, I think it looks great.

    I personally dont like the look when people use it excessively and when the filler starts to migrate, but at the end of the day its their lips.

  • I’m happy with my lips as they are. The thought of ending up with a trout pout scares me and at this stage wouldn’t consider a lip filler. I think that if it makes you feel better go for it and there are some lips I think that really need it!

  • I don’t mind lip fillers if they are used to correct an imbalance or more medical reason. Using fillers to create lips that are so fat and swollen is another issue. Aside from looking ridiculous, what are the long term effects? Will they stretch the lips so much that they then become saggy if you no longer have them? There might be a generation of women with floppy lips in the future.

  • I think if it makes us feel good, confident and happy, then go for it! I feel so good when i put effort into myself and everyone around me benefits from a happier mum around.

  • I hate to say it but most of the people I’ve seen tend to look fake, too full and not nice. The photos above look pretty good. I guess be careful who you go to and maybe start small. I was amazed to read they can be instantly dissolved! That makes it a bit less scary!

  • Glad to read that it is not just me put off by the needles. I wish there was a more non invasive way to achieve the same result even if it is just temporary.

  • For myself, I’m really hesitant about any cosmetic procedures. But I agree that done well and subtly, lip fillers can make a big difference for some people. I imagine it’s also a fairly low risk way to try out a cosmetic procedure… as I said, not for me but great for others.

  • I had a friend do this many years ago and it did not turn out well for her. I am sure it has come a long way since but as I hate needles you will not be seeing me get something like this done. Everyone can decide for themselves what they want however it is not something I will be doing any time soon.

  • If it involves needles then I am out. No thank you.
    I do agree that these photos look very natural and they have enhanced rather then made them looked fake and pumped up but its just not for me so i will stick with my lips as they are thanks.

  • It’s good to know that the fillers can be dissolved if the look is not what a patient was after. I could really use a lip filler but the needles put me off.

  • I’ve had lip filler a few times and have been happy with the results. I have naturally thin lips that also aren’t quite symmetrical. My issue is that I seem to metabolise the filler very quickly and they don’t last. It gets costly at around $400 every 4 months (on top of everything else… lol). I did love how much they took away my ‘grim’ resting face. Definitely worth it.

  • I got half a mil done a few weeks ago. I just turned 40 and they have made such a difference. I love them and they look quite natural. Nobody has really noticed but if you compare pics they look great. One of the best things I have done.

  • No, I have never considered lip fillers. Let’s face it there are some people that take it WAY TO FAR and just look horrendously ridiculous. But the pics you’ve shared here are very sensible and subtle, they look good, but I’m still not interested

  • I love the subtle lip filler on the photos of their patients, it really is reassuring that it can be done without getting the big pout. I’ve been too nervous to try as so many females at work have had it done and some are out of shape or too big. I suppose it’s worth doing research on companies.

  • I like the shape of my lips but just wish my lips were a little more plump! My SIL has some fillers done recently and they looked so good! I am just so scared that it’ll go wrong that I keep almost booking and pulling out. This article though is reassuring, so maybe I should just bite the bullet and do it!

  • I’ve always been so tempted to get lip fillers
    Those pictures show just how gorgeous it can look. But I do worry about how it can effect your lips overtime. In mine and my sisters experience you’re better off going to a well established clinic to get it done. I don’t mind spending extra for my face

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All content on Beauty Truth is created and published for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice and should not be relied on as health or personal advice. Always seek the guidance of your doctor or qualified health professional regarding any questions or concerns you have regarding your health or a medical condition before making any decisions.

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