Artistry in injectables is particularly important 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 really is a matter of taste. One person’s Angelina-Jolie-sexy lips are another’s “trout-pout”, so you definitely want to find an injector who understands the look you are going for. Most of our patients request more natural-looking lips, but we aim to please.
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 are some important things you should know about using fillers in the lips
All lips are not the same, so a standard recipe does not apply.
Really thin lips will not plump up really big. It’s good to understand this up front.
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 lips 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 ever use “permanent fillers” like Silicone, Artefil, Sculptra or Radiesse in the lips. Never ever.
There are 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 is 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.
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