Lip Augmentation with hyaluronic acid fillers
The lips play an essential role in our face. Not only do they have important functions such as eating, making sounds and facial expressions, they also strongly reflect our personality.
Situated in the middle of the face, they play a central role in expressing our feelings. In addition, the lips are seen as a symbol of sensuality. Especially full, well-formed lips reflect this symbolism. So it is not surprising that the desire for full lips is widespread and that lip augmentation is one of the most common minimally invasive aesthetic procedures.
What are lips injected with?
The filling substance used nowadays is almost exclusively hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid occurs naturally in human connective tissue and contributes to the structural integrity of our skin. It is therefore a body related substance which is well tolerated by the immune system (biocompatible and non-immunogenic). It has a high water-binding capacity and has a short half-life of approx. 24 hours in an unstabilized form. The hyaluronic acid found in fillers is produced by bacteria and stabilized by a cross-linking process, which makes it much more durable. Nevertheless, hyaluronic acid is not a permanent solution, as it is broken down by the body after 6-12 months depending on the product. In old age, hyaluronic acid naturally decreases in our body.
There is a variety of hyaluronic acid fillers on the market. We work exclusively with established fillers from leading manufacturers and with products that have been tested in multiple clinical studies. There are also different fillers within the same product line. The differences are fundamentally based on the nature and extent of the stabilisation process (cross-linking), which affects the viscosity, consistency and durability in the tissue. This complexity demonstrates the need for in-depth knowledge to decide which filler, how much, where, how deep and by which technique to inject. A profound knowledge of the human anatomy is a prerequisite.
As plastic surgeons, Dr. Allemann is deeply familiar with the anatomy of the face and its aesthetic units. With her technique you can naturally achieve full and well-formed lips.
Is a lip augmentation suitable for me?
Have you always wanted fuller lips with a crisper shape? Or have your lips lost volume and contour over time? No matter at what age, the desire for fuller lips can be satisfied with a treatment with hyaluronic acid fillers.
What can I expect after a filler treatment of the lips?
With a filler treatment we can add volume to lips in the right places, make them fuller, model them and accentuate contours. In addition, the treated areas are moisturized, which also contributes to a more youthful appearance.
What happens during the consult?
In a detailed first consultation we will analyze your lips, the role they play in your face and discuss therapy options based on your needs. By looking at various factors together, we will decide whether a lip augmentation with hyaluronic acid fillers is suitable for you. As a second part of our discussion, we will inquire your medical history to ensure that there are no contraindications for treatment with hyaluronic acid fillers. Before the first injection, we also take a digital photograph so that we can make a comparison throughout the therapy.
What is the procedure like?
Although most fillers contain local anesthesia, we prefer to reduce discomfort during injection by applying an anesthetic cream 20 minutes before treatment. This reduces the pain of the injection and the risk of hematoma. On request, a local anaesthetic can also be administered by injection. Cooling the area to be treated before and after treatment has the same effect.
The actual treatment with hyaluronic acid fillers takes less than 30 minutes and is carried out in our treatment rooms. The product selected in the preliminary consultation is injected slowly and in a controlled manner into the desired region. Sometimes we do not use needles for this purpose, but blunt cannulae which traumatise the tissue less. In contrast to botulinum toxin, the effect of hyaluronic acid filler is immediately visible. You can even follow the progress with the hand mirror.
Our experienced hands can precisely calculate the correct dosage to prevent an “exaggerated”, unnatural appearance – according to our credo: “Less is more”. The result is a natural appearance.
How does the post-treatment look like?
After the injection we will gently massage the treated areas to distribute the product evenly. We recommend that you cool the treated area after the treatment, and we will give you a cool pack to take home with you. In addition, you should not visit a sauna or solarium for the first 12 hours after treatment, avoid intensive sunbathing and other skin irritating measures.
What are the risks?
Risks of a filler treatment are usually minimal, very rarely undesirable effects can occur. During the injection you will feel slight discomfort or pain and possibly a burning sensation. For the first 24 hours, the lips will be slightly swollen, but this will spontaneously decrease.
Possible risks
- Hematoma at injection site
- Asymmetries
- Infection
- Allergic reactions (very rare)
- Nodul formation (granulomas; very rare)
Would you like to know more?
If you are interested in lip augmentation with fillers, we will be happy to assist you as an objective consultant. We will talk to you about treatment options and risks to give you a solid ground for a decision.