Women have been obsessed with their lips since the beginning of time – there are clear historical records of lip cosmetics being used in Ancient China, Greece, and Egypt that prove women know the power of a beautiful pout. Full lips are a sign of youth, beauty, and, as some psychological studies suggest, a visual indicator of femininity, fertility, and romantic interest. At Ingrid E. Trenkle, MD in Redlands, CA, we are excited to help you reach your aesthetic goals with lip injections, such as Juvederm and Restylane.
How Much Are Lip Injections and How Long Do They Last?
Just like any other cosmetic treatment, lip injections are investments in your beauty, and investments happen to be things that come with occasionally steep price tags. On average, most people can expect to pay between $500 and $1000 for every treatment appointment. Fortunately, the sticker shock is well worth the investment, since most lip fillers can last for six to nine months, and sometimes up to a year. With how happy you will be about your appearance, this is an investment that practically pays for itself.
What Determines Cost?
The cost of your lip injections is determined by several factors, such as which clinic you are seeking treatment in and your geographical location. But the most important factors are the type of filler you are using and how much filler is being used to create your aesthetic goals.
For example, between the two, Juvederm is the less expensive filler, while Restylane is a bit pricier. However, the base price of these fillers is subject to change based on how many units are necessary to achieve the desired results. While some patients may only want to fill or augment the lips, others opt to treat the area around the mouth as well. Using additional fillers to relax fine lines and wrinkles around the mouth will inevitably require more units and cost more money.
Are There Other Factors That Affect Result Longevity?
The longevity of your results is also subject to change depending on certain factors, including your age and how well your body responds to the injectable treatment. For example, while the expected longevity of Juvederm may be between nine and 12 months, it’s possible for the body to break down the injection formula much more quickly.
In general, fillers and injectable treatments tend to last longer on areas of the face that are not prone to movement. This is why fillers on the forehead and the cheeks tend to last longer than fillers around the eyes and the mouth. Fillers that are placed on highly mobile areas of the face will inevitably break down more quickly.
What Are Common Lip Injection Styles?
Beyond the price and longevity of lip filler treatments, there are other factors that you will need to consider for your treatment. One of the biggest decisions you will have to make is the lip injection style you want to use for your treatment. There are several different styles that are common for lip augmentation, such as:
Classic
A Classic fill is one that replaces volume lost in the lips due to aging with the goal of producing natural, subtle results. This style does not alter the natural shape of the lip and is an ideal choice for first-time patients.
Cupid
The Cupid style focuses primarily on the bow of the upper lip to create a distinct shape of the “Cupid’s bow”. This style is all about defining the shape of the top lip, which means that the bottom lip is usually left alone. The goal of this style is to create shape, not volume.
Pearlique
A Pearlique style is one that focuses on creating more volume in the center of the bottom lip. This style involves two main injections on the two “pearls” of the bottom lip, which creates more volume and accentuates the natural shape of the bottom lip.
Rubina
A Rubina style focuses on the full expression of both volume and lip shape. This style elevates the border of both the top and bottom lips, refines the shape of the upper lip, and adds definition to the bottom lip.
Hollywood
The Hollywood style is another subtle style that is all about adding fullness to the top lip, particularly the middle section of the upper lip. This style creates volume without augmenting the lip border.
Angelic
An Angelic filler style also focuses on the top lip with the goal of elevating the shape of the upper lip. Injections are made on the upper borders of the lip to create more volume, while the rest of the lip is left alone, which creates a diamond-like shape, or a shape similar to angel wings.
Key Hole Pout
A Key Hole Pout is a novel type of filler style that augments both the upper and bottom lip to create a small space in the center of the lips or a “key hole”. The goal of this style is to express full lip volume and alter the natural lip shape to create a pout.
Lip Flip
Some patients may also want to consider a lip flip, which is a way of creating the illusion of fullness without actually using lip fillers. This option may be ideal for those who are happy with their overall lip shape and volume, but who would like to correct a “gummy” smile by relaxing the muscles around the top lip.
Smooth Lines
Patients who do not have a goal of increasing lip volume or altering lip shape can also use a small amount of filler to smooth lipstick lines on the lips, which are the verticle lines where lipstick gets caught. This is also a style that is ideal for first-time fillers.
Can You Combine Styles?
Absolutely! The different styles for injections are made distinct so that you have an easier time telling your aesthetician about your goals, which ultimately means you can cherry-pick your styles to achieve your exact desired appearance. For example, it’s common to combine the Cupid and Pearlique styles to give your lips a specific shape definition. Some patients combine a lip flip with other filler styles to create a more natural-looking pout.
What Lip Injection Treatments Can You Choose From?
Naturally, there are a few injectable treatments that can be used on the lips. Each type of injection is best-suited to a certain style and a certain shape of natural lips, so your aesthetician will be able to guide you to the ideal filler for your aesthetic goals. Some commonly used injectable treatments for the lips include:
Juvederm Volbella
Volbella was formulated by Juvederm specifically to restore lip volume and augment the shape of the lips. Volbella uses a thinner hyaluronic acid dilution than other fillers on the Juvederm line, meaning it’s the ideal product to use on the delicate skin of the lips, particularly if the goal is to create natural-looking results.
Juvederm Ultra XC
Juvederm Ultra can also be used on the lips. As one of the basic Juvederm formulas, Juvederm Ultra can be used on the lips and around the mouth to smooth away fine lines and lipstick lines, as well as increase the volume of the lips.
Restylane Silk
Restylane Silk is a specialized Restylane injectable that uses a thin, silky-smooth filler formula to effortlessly create buildable volume in the lips. Silk is an ideal choice for those who want to create a definition on the lip borders.
Botox
Botox also makes the list of injection treatment options you can choose from because Botox is actually the injection used to do lip flips. Botox used around the mouth can relax muscles that cause lips to look thin and tense, and can also be used to create the appearance of fuller smiles.
Which Is the Best Lip Filler?
The best lip filler for you depends on the goals of your treatment, as well as how long you want your treatment to last. Generally speaking, a treatment such as Juvederm Volbella has the longest-lasting results and the most versatile use, but those who are looking for subtle definition may prefer using Restylane.
Can You Use Multiple Treatments?
Yes, actually. For example, it’s very common to use Botox on the muscles around the mouth, and follow that injection with a Restylane or Juvederm filler. Using multiple treatments on and around the lips can create a more comprehensive result, particularly if your treatment goals indicate more fullness, definition, and augmentation.
What Can You Expect From Treatment?
One of the most important steps of your treatment is your consultation appointment, which is when you and your aesthetician will sit down and discuss your exact treatment goals. It’s important that you and your aesthetician are on the same page, so you may want to bring in reference photos and be ready to talk about your cosmetics habits.
Pre-Treatment
Preparing for lip injections is similar to preparing for any other type of dermal filler, which means it’s important to avoid blood-thinning medications and supplements for about three to five days before your treatment appointment.
Lip Filler Appointment
Your lip filler appointment will usually take about 30 minutes to complete. Several small injections will be made on various “zones” of your lips to augment the shape, enhance the definition of the lip border, and elevate the volume of the lips. If you would like to have additional treatments to the areas around your mouth to relax fine lines and wrinkles, those injections will also be made at this time.
Additionally, some patients choose to combine lip injection appointments with other injectable treatments so that the entire face is treated at one time. This is sometimes preferable for patients who would like to simplify treatment appointments.
Post-Treatment
After your lip treatment, you will need to follow a few directions to achieve your ideal results. Some of these instructions include avoiding excessive sweating, not moving your mouth too much, drinking plenty of water, and avoiding salty foods that can dehydrate the lips. Using Chapstick or Vaseline on the lips is also recommended.
Results
It will take some time for your results to be visible. While some patients see an improvement of lip shape and volume within hours or days of the treatment, many patients can only see results of the treatment in about two weeks. This is because it takes some time for the filler solution to often and settle within your skin, particularly fillers made with hyaluronic acid that works with the natural processes of your body to increase collagen production.
Who Are Ideal Candidates for This Treatment?
Any woman or many who is not totally satisfied with the volume or shape of their lips is likely a good candidate for this treatment. In fact, some of the best candidates for this treatment include those who want to:
- Increase lip volume
- Define lip borders
- Correct lip lines
- Elevate lip volume
- Augment lip shape
- Apply lip cosmetics easier
Get the Lips of Your Dreams With Lip Injections
Without you needing to say anything, it’s a fact that your lips can say a lot about you. Fortunately, the investment for lip injections is one that pays for itself with your happiness. Contact Ingrid E. Trenkle, MD in Redlands, CA to schedule your first appointment today!
