As we age, the elasticity of our skin diminishes the fat and supporting tissues of the lip decrease and loss of lip volume occurs. This results in lips becoming thin, narrow and losing their projection.
Lip enhancement can be achieved in different ways. The simplest and most common method is by using injectable dermal fillers, which Dr Andre Safvat can administer in Ethique Plastic Surgery’s Miranda or Bowral clinics.
Lip Fillers: How It Works
Dermal fillers can augment the border of the lip as well as the volume or fullness of the lip. The procedure is done by Dr Safvat, not a nurse in the room. You will be allocated 30 mins for the lip injection procedure. The actual injections only take a few minutes but most of this time is used for assessment, explanations, preparation and planning.
Lip dermal fillers usually last around 5 to 7 months after the initial procedure as there is a lot of movement in that area. Ethique Plastic Surgery only uses temporary dermal fillers made from non-animal stabilised hyaluronic acid (NASHA) which is a clear gel made from a purified sugar complex that occurs naturally in our skin, and is absorbed safely and effectively.These dermal fillers are safe as they contains no animal proteins, allergens or chemicals, and in rare circumstance that they are not needed anymore, they can be reversed.
The results after you’ve been injected with lip fillers will be immediately evident, although final results might take up to a week. There may be mild swelling and temporary numbness, but this will soon subside. Normal activities can be resumed right after treatment.
Ethique Plastic Surgery ensures Lip enhancement is done in a subtle and natural looking way, and that your lips don’t appear fake or have an over-done look.
Fat Injection
Another more permanent option for enhancing lips is fat injection (transferring some fat from another part of the body to the lips). Results in this technique last longer but can be unreliable as some of the injected fat will be reabsorbed in time.
Ethique Plastic Surgery recommends that patients start with the temporary dermal fillers, and if they like the result and want a more permanent solution then opt for fat injection.
Complications
Overall, the product we use for Filler Injections is safe and has a proven track record. Added to this, having Dr Safvat himself do the injectables minimises risk. However, as with any sort of medical treatment there are some potential, although rare side effects:
- There may be some common injection-related reactions including redness, swelling, mild pain, itching, bruising and tenderness at the injection site. These reactions are generally mild to moderate and usually resolve a few days to weeks after treatment.
- The face has a super-rich network of blood vessels. Rarely it is possible for the filler to get into one of the segmental blood vessels of the skin and block it. This will cause moderate to severe pain and a blistering rash (similar to shingles rash) near or at the injection site. It is important to contact Dr Safvat immediately as it is possible to dissolve the filler with another injections and reverse most if not all of this. If this is not done in a timely manner it may cause some necrosis and ulceration in the skin.
- Even a rarer side effect is when the filler is taken to the retinal artery through the rich network of the blood vessels and cause blindness. There are some areas that are more at risk of this and Dr Safvat will discuss this with you.
- Inflammatory reactions are rare but consist of redness, swelling and hardening of the injection site that may persist for several months (rare).
- Very rarely you may experience infection/abscess, granuloma, discolouration, hypersensitivity reactions, atrophy/scarring etc.
NOTE: Anti-Wrinkle Injections are not recommended for pregnant or breast-feeding women or for those intending to become pregnant or breast feed.
Dr Safvat will discuss the potential complications and side effects with you during the consultation prior to administering the injections