What to Expect from Your First Lip Filler Treatment
Whether you’re trying to get rid of a skin blemish, wrinkles and lines on your face, or other imperfections, cosmetic treatments are a popular remedy.
Annually, cosmetic treatments like Botox® injections, chemical peels, laser hair removal, and microdermabrasion represent a big part of the more than 20 million procedures performed to help Americans get the looks they want.
Lip augmentation is another example, and lip fillers are a nonsurgical way to achieve your beauty goals. At our three New York City locations, Dr. Javier Zelaya and the skilled medical team at Skinworks Dermatology can help if you’re looking to enhance your lips.
Here’s what you can expect from your first lip filler treatment.
Reasons for lip fillers
This type of dermal filler is a popular choice for a number of reasons, including:
- Balancing asymmetrical lips
- Restoring fullness lost with aging
- Smoothing wrinkles around your mouth
In addition to getting older, changes in the appearance of your lips may also result from sun damage, smoking, or genetics.
If you’re considering fillers for the first time, make sure you’re in good health, don’t have canker sores or oral infections, and have realistic expectations about the results.
Types of fillers available
Hyaluronic acid is a natural chemical in the body and a common substance used in lip fillers. It keeps skin hydrated and firm by attracting water. A synthetic version of hyaluronic acid is in many types of fillers, including:
Restylane®
Restylane Silk is the specific formulation of this product, providing smoother, silkier, natural-looking lips. It’s used in smoothing out lip lines and lip augmentation.
Juvéderm®
Juvéderm Ultra XC and Juvéderm Volbella XC are the forms of this type used to enhance lips, with the former working to help with lip augmentation and the latter with slight lip volume and vertical lip lines.
Your first treatment
The process begins with an antibacterial cleaning of the lips, and we apply a topical anesthetic to make the treatment as painless as possible.
Once the anesthetic sets in, the injections start, and the fillers have lidocaine in them to further alleviate discomfort. After each injection, we massage the site before moving on to the next area until the lips have the desired look.
Afterward, we examine the results together and clean your lips. We may apply an ice pack to your lips to alleviate any swelling or bruising from the injections. Side effects are often mild and may also include redness and temporary bumps around the injection sites.
The process takes minutes, and you can go back to your routine when it's done; however, avoid strenuous or intense physical activities for the first two days.
If you want to see fuller, smoother lips, schedule a consultation today with Dr. Zelaya and our team at Skinworks Dermatology to get started. Call the office in Maspeth, Chelsea, or Park Slope, or request your appointment online.