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 our 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.
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Meet Melissa Chambers, R. N.
Aesthetic Nurse Injector
We are thrilled to have Melissa join our practice. For many of you, she needs no introduction. Her reputation for technical excellence and elegance is forged by 21 years of injecting experience right here in Knoxville.
Compassionate, nurturing, and calming, Melissa takes the time to listen to patients while kindly and expertly guiding them towards the results they’re wanting to achieve.
All of her patients from “Nervous Nellies” to injectable veterans are impressed by her personalized approach to their care and her gentle touch with a needle.
Melissa started her career as an Aesthetic Nurse Injector back in 1998. Those were the days of bovine collagen before anyone had ever heard of hyaluronic acid fillers like Restylane and Juvederm.
In an area where new products are often coming to market, Melissa is uniquely qualified to choose the right product for each patient’s budget and goals, rather than wasting money on trendy, short-lived injectables.
In addition to her vast experience with injectables, Melissa’s background in dermatology and proficiency with lasers is a great asset to our patients. Together, Melissa and Christy and Dr. Reath will evaluate the newest technologies and ingredients to give the best results to our patients.
