Artistry in injectables is essential when it comes to the lips. We have certainly had a renewed interest in lip fillers recently with the popularity of twenty-somethings wanting fuller Kylie Jenner lips that they see on social media.
That said, it is a matter of taste. One person’s Angelina-Jolie-sexy lips are another’s “trout-pout”, so you want to find an injector who understands the look you want. Most of our patients request more natural-looking lips, but we aim to please. All of the before and after pictures on this page are Jill’s patients.
You may not have realized this, but as we age, we tend to lose fullness and definition in our lip area. The strategic use of injectable fillers can restore a youthful, natural-looking fullness that doesn’t look overdone. There are other benefits. You’ll notice that your lipstick will look much better. Why? Because lip fillers can smooth the fine lines that cause lipstick bleeding.
Here’s what you should know about using fillers in the lips
All lips are not the same, so a standard recipe does not apply.
Thin lips will not plump up really big. It’s good to understand this upfront.
Less is often more when it comes to the lips. For most people, the lip should be enlarged only enough to return natural fullness and shape. You can always add more later if you like.
For most women, a natural lip is about 40% on top and 60% on the bottom. If you see an upper lip that is much larger than the lower, it’s a clue they may have had “something done”.
Make sure that your injector focuses primarily on the middle 2/3 of the lower lip to avoid a sausage-like appearance. We recommend adding to the border of the lip first to give it definition and then go back to add fullness. This makes it look au naturale, rather than just plump.
Find an injector who uses flexible blunt cannulas. See below.
Never use “permanent fillers” like Silicone, Artefil, Sculptra, or Radiesse in the lips. Never ever.
Three injectable fillers are perfect for the lips.
Volbella XC is a filler from the makers of Juvederm. We are the first in Knoxville to use it. It has a thin formula ideal for providing definition to the lip area and smoothing fine lines around and on the lips. It can also add back that natural “M” to the cupid’s bow, and it lasts about a year. It’s also the filler that can help keep your lipstick in place.
Juvederm Ultra Plus has been our go-to filler for years. It has a thicker plumping formula, which is why it’s used to add volume to the lips.
Restylane Kysse is a brand new filler that has a moldable consistency. This softer formula is perfect for the lips. It is a bit more expensive than Juvederm Ultra Plus, but it lasts six months longer.
Juvederm Pricing
Cost per Syringe
Juvederm Volbella XC
$400 .5ml
Juvederm Ultra Plus XC
$650
New! Restylane Kysse
$700
Note: Juvederm Volbella XC is packaged in smaller, half-size .5ml syringes as the area to be treated is smaller.
Why you want flexible blunt cannulas for your fillers
Flexible blunt cannulas are not only the safest way to inject fillers, but they also result in less pain and bruising for you! Flexible cannulas cost more than traditional needles, but we think your safety and comfort are worth the expense on our part. We are the first office in Knoxville to use these miracle-workers. Read more about the importance of flexible cannulas in Dr. Reath’s blog. You should never get fillers without them.
We’re “Stuck” on a Better, Safer Way To Inject Fillers
One of the things that I like about plastic surgery is that we are always trying to improve the things we do. I think it’s part of our culture or the way plastic surgeons are wired (no comments from the peanut gallery, please!). Usually the goal is to have a better result or make something … Read more »
Must-Read Interview with Jill Maze
The Latest in Injectable Wrinkle Treatments: Jill Fills Us In
For the 7th edition of Your Beauty Magazine, we sat down with our incomparable Nurse Injector Jill Maze, who is a brilliant artist with a needle. We asked her to share some of her patient photos, along with the secrets of what goes on behind her closed door. Here’s what we found out. Jill, you’ve … Read more »
Meet Jill Maze, R.N., BSN
Jill is an extraordinarily gifted Nurse Injector. Working under the direct supervision of Dr. Reath since 2008, her extensive training and gentle touch is a winning combination. Her patients attest to her caring bedside manner, her skilled professionalism, and her aesthetic expertise. Many drive from Nashville and Atlanta because she is that good.
Every year Jill travels across the country to train with the most renowned experts in cosmetic injectables to refine her skills and bring back new techniques to our patients. This area requires a unique blend of artistry and science as well as the need to stay current, so Jill will continue her travels in the U.S. and Canada to observe the leaders in her field.
This advanced training is why she has been using flexible cannulas for the past four years to inject fillers. Flexible cannulas are not only safer than needles, they cause far less bruising and discomfort for her patients. She is the first injector in Knoxville to use them.
She is an active member of the American Society of Plastic Surgical Nurses. She was in the first class in the country to attend the Advanced Injector Competence Training Course designed by the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons in Las Vegas. She received specialized instruction on techniques for using Botox for areas other than the upper face. She is also trained and experienced with the recently FDA-approved filler Juvederm Voluma.
She is so accomplished that many patients are surprised that Jill is down to earth and has a wicked sense of humor. It’s pretty standard for us to hear them giggling down the hall into their ice packs as they leave her room.
Jill is an extraordinarily gifted Nurse Injector. Working under the direct supervision of Dr. Reath since 2008, her extensive training and gentle touch is a winning combination. Her patients attest to her caring bedside manner, her skilled professionalism, and her aesthetic expertise. Many drive from Nashville and Atlanta because she is that good.
