You hear a lot of talk about the ‘signs of aging’ and all the methods available to diminish those tell-tale lines and wrinkles. But there’s another area of your face that begins to change as you age, and it’s not addressed nearly as often. It’s your lips.
Who doesn’t want those full, pouty lips of youth? They make your smile look better, and certainly seem more alluring when they’re fuller and appear more ‘kissable’.
As you age, you’ll see tiny lines forming around your lips, but you may not be aware that the skin’s production of collagen also decreases with age, and lips lose their fullness and become thinner and paler.
To combat the look of aging lips, many are turning to lip injections, with some amazing results.
What are Lip Injections?
Lip injections, often referred to as lip fillers, belong to the family of dermal fillers, and are used in lip augmentation procedures. There was a time when other methods were also used, such as implants or fat injections, but they carried a greater chance of experiencing unwanted side effects and are not used as often anymore.
Most popular lip fillers today contain hyaluronic acid (HA), a substance naturally produced by the body. Hyaluronic acid works to maintain proper levels of hydration. When it’s injected into your lips, it temporarily gives your lips increased volume and more definition.
It’s important to know that lip injections are not permanent fixes, so your results will not last forever. The time can range anywhere from three or four months to almost a year, depending on a variety of factors, and you’ll want to discuss this with your physician beforehand.
What are the Benefits of Lip Injections?
There are a number of benefits to having lip injection treatments with hyaluronic acid and most patients are delighted and pleased with their results. A few of the most popular benefits include:
- Improved overall appearance of the lips
- Increased volume, with enhanced shape and structure
- Restored youthful lip plumpness
- Increased self-confidence and self-image
- Less bruising than with other fillers
- Little to no downtime
- Less chance of an allergic reaction since HA is found naturally in the body
Am I a Good Candidate for Lip Injections?
If you’re a healthy adult and want to increase the plumpness and fullness of your lips, chances are you would be a good candidate for lip injections. It’s just important you fully understand the procedure and you keep your expectations realistic. You can discuss those issues in detail during your initial consultation with the doctor.
How Long Do Lip Injections Last?
There are several variables that can impact how long your lip injections last, and you’ll want to discuss your unique situation with your physician. Generally speaking, HA lip injections should last from four months to six months. If you’re thin, your body may metabolize the filler more quickly and you could experience less time to enjoy your results.
You may need to have follow-up treatments about every six months to maintain the same level of fullness. However, HA lip injections also trigger increased collagen production in the skin, which creates more naturally occurring fullness in the lips, so you may decide that future treatments are not necessary.
Curious about whether lip injections are right for you? Contact us…we’re happy to answer any questions you may have.