Lip injections have become a must-have in facial rejuvenation trailing only Botox in popularity. According to Fortune Business Insights, The global dermal fillers market is projected to grow from $3.07 billion in 2021 to $6.28 billion in 2028. As we age, we lose collagen resulting in loss of volume, laxity of the skin, and deepening of facial lines including the lips.
Replacing volume in key areas, for example, lip injections can give a more youthful appearance. In addition, fillers can also be used to “fill in” the deeper creases that appear as a laugh line and the nasolabial fold lines. Fillers can also be very effective at softening transition zones in the face which give an aged or tired look to the face such as the lower eyelid and cheek junction.
There is such a thing as overfilling when too much filler is placed and the area looks unnatural or done. It is important to get a consultation from a highly skilled injector to evaluate each area you wish to treat. The great news with fillers is you can see the results immediately. If it is estimated that 1.0cc of filler would be needed, you can start with a smaller amount and build as needed. This is called incremental filling will help to avoid that fake or done look.
Another common cause of overfilling is having your injections scheduled to close over time. Most fillers diminish between 12 and 24 months meaning that over this period, you can expect to lose about 50% of the filler that has been placed. As you lose filler the treated areas will lose volume. However, there will likely be some filler remaining so it is not necessary to place the same amount each time to achieve the desired result.
This is why it is important to work with a highly trained injector that knows you. It is also important to understand that filler is not absorbed the same by all. The good news is if you do feel overdone, hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers can be dissolved with hyaluronidase which is an enzyme that will dissolve the filler. Common areas to treat with injections are the temples, lower eyelids, cheeks, nasolabial folds, marionette lines, lips, nose, chin, and along the jawline.
Filler Injections: Juvederm, Revanesse Lips, and Restylane
There are many different filler injections on the market, many designed to treat specific areas of the face. Some are formulated with hyaluronic acid (HA), calcium hydroxyapatite (CaHA), or polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). The most common lip injections are Revanesse Lips which as the name indicates are specifically designed for use on the lips. The Juvederm and the Restylane family of fillers also have comparable products that work well on the lips. Hyaluronic acid fillers such as Juvederm or Restylane are composed of a soft naturally occurring gel that can easily be reversed and last between 12 and 24 months.
How much filler is needed depends on the number of areas being treated and the desired outcome. Fillers come in 1.0cc aliquots delivered in syringes. Syringes should be used in one setting to preserve their efficacy and sterility and they should never be saved or “split” between patients. Enough filler should be placed in each area to see a good result without “overfilling.” Dermal fillers do cause some swelling initially so you will need to wait a couple of days to access the final result.
It is important to get a consultation and discuss the areas you want treated to determine how many syringes with be necessary to achieve the desired result It is always better to slightly underfill and come back for a touchup than to overfill especially if you are new to fillers.