One of the most common cosmetic complaints is related to the shape of the lips. Patients are worried about asymmetry, a loss of volume, or a thin upper lip. Fortunately, there is a simple solution. Injectable treatments are quick, painless, and long-lasting. At Ingrid E. Trenkle, MD in Redlands, CA, we offer lip injections to patients who would like to plump up their tissues and get rid of tiny wrinkles around the mouth.
How Often Should You Get Lip Injections?
There are several types of Lip Injections treatments for the lips, and they all have different requirements. BOTOX needs to be repeated every few months because the active ingredient is metabolized by the body. Hyaluronic acid fillers are more long-lasting, so patients might only have to come to the clinic once or twice a year.
When you visit us for your initial consultation, we’ll explain these options in more detail and determine which one is the most suitable for you. Some fillers are thicker, so they provide dramatic results. Others are very thin, which makes them ideal for you if you’d like a subtle change. We can also combine several treatments to address various cosmetic issues in your face.
BOTOX
Botulinum toxin is a substance that immobilizes the muscles and stops them from creating certain facial shapes. The treatment is most commonly used to address fine lines and wrinkles, but it can also improve the shape of the lips. When injected around the mouth, BOTOX relaxes the muscles and allows the upper lip to roll outwards. This makes it appear more voluminous.
The active ingredient is metabolized quite quickly, so the results start to fade after three or four months. We ask most of our BOTOX patients to come back for maintenance appointments three or four times a year. Each appointment takes 30-45 minutes, so patients spend less than four hours with us each year. It’s also worth noting that there’s no downtime associated with filler treatment.
Restylane Silk
Restylane Silk is one of the most popular lip fillers. It is based on a molecule called hyaluronic acid, which attracts water and therefore increases the volume in the treatment area. This injectable is mostly used to plump up the lips and get rid of fine lines around the mouth. Because the gel is quite thin, it provides patients with subtle yet noticeable results.
You’ll look and feel different right after you’ve been treated, but your body takes some time to get used to the hyaluronic acid. The gel settles within a week or two, at which time you can see your final results. They last for approximately six months. If you’ve chosen this injectable treatment, we recommend that you come to the clinic two to three times a year for top-up injections.
JUVÉDERM Ultra XC
JUVÉDERM is an iconic brand that has been around for several decades. Countless celebrities get JUVÉDERM fillers, including Lisa Rinna and Virginia Madsen. Ultra XC is one of the original products from this brand, and it’s frequently used to plump up the lips. In addition to hyaluronic acid, this filler contains lidocaine, so patients don’t have to worry about pain during their appointment.
Most people experience excellent and long-lasting results after JUVÉDERM Ultra XC treatment. The filler lasts slightly longer than Restylane because the molecules are structurally different, and the body can’t metabolize them as quickly. Patients can expect their lips to stay plump for six to twelve months after the injections. We recommend two treatments per year for optimal results.
JUVÉDERM VOLBELLA XC
VOLBELLA XC is a very thin JUVÉDERM formula that is commonly used on the lips. It’s ideal for patients who would like subtle results that look natural. VOLBELLA XC is one of the newer products, and it makes use of the brand’s proprietary Vycross technology. The molecules are cross-linked, so they disintegrate less rapidly than those present in Restylane Silk and Ultra XC.
After the initial settlement period of one to two weeks, patients can expect to see excellent results for twelve to eighteen months. We recommend one maintenance appointment a year because this is enough to keep the results fresh in the long term.
JUVÉDERM VOLLURE XC
The final option is VOLLURE XC. It is very similar to VOLBELLA XC and makes use of the same cross-linking technology. However, this gel is a bit thicker, so it produces more dramatic results.
The filler is suitable for anyone who would like noticeably plump lips, has a very thin upper lip, or has experienced significant changes due to the aging process. Like VOLBELLA XC, this filler lasts for twelve to eighteen months, and patients usually come to the clinic once a year.
Other Factors Affecting the Results
The type of filler is one of the most important factors when determining how often a patient needs to get treatment. However, it’s not the only one. Lip fillers tend to last longer in people who take great care of their bodies, avoid excessive sunlight exposure, and eat a healthy diet. Patients who want subtle changes and don’t have a severe cosmetic condition might not need to come in very often.
On the other hand, we often recommend more frequent treatment to people who are older and therefore need a more dramatic change. These patients benefit from regular appointments, during which we can perform injections and evaluate whether additional treatment is necessary.
Your Cosmetic Condition
We always ask patients to come to see us before starting treatment. During the first appointment, we look at their features to determine which filler or neuromodulator treatment could be right for them. Sometimes, we combine several injectables to achieve the desired results, especially if the patient would like to augment their lips and get rid of wrinkles at the same time.
Those with very subtle cosmetic issues often don’t need more than one or two treatments per year. They can easily maintain their results, and their tissues don’t lose volume as quickly. Patients who are already experiencing a significant loss of volume due to aging need to see us more frequently because they need a greater amount of gel.
Your Lifestyle
We’ll provide you with some information about how to keep your results fresh. Follow all our post-treatment instructions, which might include avoiding blood-thinning substances, skipping strenuous workouts and visits to the sauna, and keeping your treatment area away from direct sunlight for at least five days.
The healthier your lifestyle, the better you can maintain your results in the long term. Eat a healthy diet so your body has the nutrients it needs to keep your tissues in good condition. Drink water and herbal tea to hydrate your cells. Always wear sunscreen when you go outside, even if the sun isn’t shining. Many pharmacies sell lip balms with SPF, so you can protect your treatment area.
Your Age
Typically, patients who start getting fillers at a young age don’t have to come to the clinic as frequently because they can maintain their results for longer. This is because they only need a small amount of gel, and their results are very subtle. Those who come to see us when they’ve already experienced dramatic changes in their appearance require more frequent injections, and they usually get a much higher dose of hyaluronic acid or botulinum toxin.
Can Anyone Get Lip Injections?
Lip Injections treatments are suitable for almost everyone. If you have thin or asymmetrical lips, don’t hesitate to reach out to us, even if you’re not in perfect health. We can treat patients with minor or moderate medical conditions because injectables don’t involve general anesthesia or dangerous substances.
Despite this, we’ll have a close look at your health history to determine whether you’re a good candidate. If you’ve had anaphylaxis in the past, you might not be able to take part. You can’t have dermal fillers if there’s a chance you could be pregnant, and you might need to wait if you currently have an infection or a skin condition in the treatment area.
Get Plump Lips with Injectable Treatment
Not all lip injections last equally long. While some JUVÉDERM fillers remain in place for twelve to eighteen months, BOTOX injections have to be repeated every three to four months. Because each appointment only takes a few minutes, injectable treatment is extremely easy, and it’s a good option for busy people. Get in touch with us at Ingrid E. Trenkle, MD in Redlands, CA to schedule an initial consultation and find out which filler is suitable for your skin.
